Posts Tagged ‘duncan macmillan’

New Jewish Theatre’s Poignant, Hopeful “Brilliant Thing” Features Strong Central Performance

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , on March 18, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Every Brilliant Thing
by Duncan Macmillan, with Jonny Donahoe
Directed by Ellie Schwetye
New Jewish Theatre
March 16, 2023

Will Bonfiglio
Photo by Jon Gitchoff
New Jewish Theatre

Every Brilliant Thing is a popular show. The latest staging, from the New Jewish Theatre, is the third production of this show I’ve seen in St. Louis since it debuted here with another theatre company in 2018. I think it’s popularity stems from a few factors–its simple production values which don’t require a large budget, its relatable subject matter, and its ability to showcase a strong, personable central performer. While this current production, directed by Ellie Schwetye and starring the always excellent Will Bonfiglio, is certainly the most polished production I’ve seen from a technical standpoint, it still maintains that inherent simplicity, audience interaction, and focus on its lead character that makes it such a memorable–and, considering its sometimes heavy subject matter–an ultimately hopeful show. 

The setup here in NJT’s versatile space at the J’s Wool Studio Theatre is simply but elegantly appointed, designed by Bess Moynihan with a flair for setting an approachable, warm and inviting initial mood–and this atmosphere helps to provide balance in the show’s darker moments. Moynihan’s lighting is also especially effective, as Bonfiglio, suitably outfitted by costume designer Michele Friedman Siler in jeans, a casual button-down shirt and comfy sneakers, tells the story as a version of himself, as is the norm for this play. There’s a soft rug and a raised platform on one end of the stage where there’s a chair, and old-fashioned record player, and a box of records, which play into the story that is well-punctuated by various songs in the moments that call for them. Also, dangling from the ceiling is a collection of notecards suspended by wires, featuring various “brilliant” things about life, whether they be objects, people, experiences, etc. The audience members are given notecards, as well, and called upon to read items from Bonfiglio’s list as he calls their numbers.

The story, told as if it happened to Bonfiglio himself, recounts his childhood growing up with a chronically depressed mother, and the list of brilliant things starts out as his way to try to cheer her up. Over the years, as he grows up, the list gets longer and takes on new meanings, as Bonfiglio tells of his relationship with both of his parents, as well as meeting a romantic partner in college, and his on-and-off writing of the list as he struggles to deal with his own emotions and reactions to his mother’s condition as well as relating to the world around him. Bonfiglio gently calls on various audience members to participate in his story, playing a school teacher/counselor, his dad, a college professor, and his love interest, among others. Bonfiglio handles this aspect of the role especially well, and at least two of the “guest performers” I saw were notable local actors, which suggests that at least in some cases, Bonfiglio was choosing people he already knew to some degree, although I don’t think this was the case with everyone he chose. 

One of the most appealing aspects of this show is that it’s so easily tailored to the particular performer who stars, and with Bonfiglio, it works especially well. Director Schwetye, who has worked with Bonfiglio before with great success at NJT with Fully Committed in 2019, has paced this show ideally, allowing Bonfiglio’s warm, engaging and occasionally unpredictable personality to shine forth in moments of humor, sadness, reflection, and ultimately hope. Bonfiglio is especially adept as holding the audience’s attention, and encouraging participation while not seeming too pressuring. The arc of the story, while familiar to anyone who has seen other versions of this show, gains a degree of immediacy with Bonfiglio in the lead.

I have seen this show three times now, and each time I’ve seen something new and challenging, but the emphasis has always been on hope. At NJT, Bonfiglio, Schwetye, and the creative team have constructed an elegantly staged, dare I say brilliant production. It does contain difficult subject matter, including depression and suicide, but it is handled with great sensitivity and poignancy. It’s a superb showcase for an excellent and beloved local performer. It’s a brilliant thing, indeed. 

Will Bonfiglio
Photo by Jon Gitchoff
New Jewish Theatre

The New Jewish Theatre is presenting Every Brilliant Thing at the J’s Wool Studio Theatre until April 2, 2023

Read Full Post »

St. Louis Shakespeare’s “Brilliant” Production Showcases Personable Leading Performer

Posted in St Louis Theatre, tagged , , , , , , on June 21, 2022| Leave a Comment »

Every Brilliant Thing
by Duncan Macmillan, With Jonny Donahoe
Directed by Donna Northcott
St. Louis Shakespeare
June 17, 2022

St. Louis Shakespeare’s latest dramatic presentation isn’t from the Bard, but it contains its fair share of comedy, drama, and tragedy. Every Brilliant Thing is a simply staged one-person show with interactive elements that is able to be tailored toward the leading performer, as well as each unique audience. Directed by Donna Northcott and starring local actor Isaiah Di Lorenzo, this is an engaging show that fits well into its space and tells its story with poignancy and hope.

This is a short show, running a little over an hour, and while the tone is whimsical at times, it deals with some heavy subjects including depression, self-harm, and suicide. There are resources included in the back of the program for anyone seeking help. In the play, Di Lorenzo is presented as a version of himself, telling his story of trying to list all the “brilliant” bright spots in life, first as a way to comfort his chronically depressed mother, and eventually for himself, as well. As he tells the story, he interacts directly with the audience, enlisting some viewers to participate in the action, playing his father, a teacher from school, his college sweetheart, and more, as well as reading the items on the list from cards as Di Lorenzo calls their number. It’s a thoroughly engaging show, given weight, drama, and heart by the personable Di Lorenzo, who has an excellent way of engaging the audience in the story. The audience engagement goes a little further than the story itself with this production, as well, as guests are encouraged to add their own “brilliant things” on sticky notes that they can attach to the walls in the lobby after the show. 

The staging is fairly simple, with no elaborate production values and a simple setup with chairs set out around the perimeter of the floor at the Chapel venue. For a set, there is only a crate in the middle to serve various purposes as Di Lorenzo weaves his compelling tale. There’s excellent support from sound designer John “JT” Taylor and properties designer Amanda Handle. 

Every Brilliant Thing seems to be an especially popular show these days, and I can see why, considering its interactive nature, compelling and poignant story, and the opportunity it provides to showcase a talented performer. At St. Louis Shakespeare and featuring the impressive Di Lorenzo, this show doesn’t disappoint. Even with its weighty subject matter, it’s a poignant and ultimately hopeful story which is especially well-told in this powerful production.

St. Louis Shakespeare is presenting Every Brilliant Thing at The Chapel until June 26, 2022

Read Full Post »

R-S Theatrics’ Interactive “Every Brilliant Thing” Makes a Memorable Impression

Posted in St Louis Theatre, tagged , , , , , , , on November 25, 2018| Leave a Comment »

Every Brilliant Thing
by Duncan Macmillan and Jonny Donahoe
Directed by Tom Kopp
R-S Theatrics
November 15, 2018

R-S Theatrics’ latest production, Every Brilliant Thing, is an unusual play. In fact, it’s more of an extended monologue, or even a conversation, than a play. With more than a few interactive elements and opportunities for the audience to join in telling the story, it may be a challenge for introverts in the audience, although I’m an introvert and I enjoyed it a lot. Especially, it’s an excellent showcase for its central performer, Nancy Nigh.

Aside from the audience-participation elements, Every Brilliant Thing is a one-person show. It covers some topics that may be difficult for some audience members, so trigger warnings are included (and resources for information and help are offered in the program). It was originally performed in the UK by co-author Jonny Donahoe, who eventually performed the show in various places around the world, including New York. Here, the central character, referred to as “Narrator” in the program, is played by the excellent Nancy Nigh, who narrates the show as a version of herself, and as if the events in the play have happened to her personally. It’s a short show, only running a little over an hour, but a lot happens during that hour, as Nigh recounts the story of her life and how she deals with her mother’s depression and suicide attempts over the years. Her particular way of coping has been through a list of various things in life that are worth celebrating, which is where the play gets its title. It’s a story, but it’s all very conversational, as Nigh talks to the audience, distributes sections of the list for audience members to read when she calls out the numbers, and recruits a few audience members to participate in her story, playing her favorite childhood school teacher, her father, her love interest, and more. It’s a quirky, sometimes funny, sometimes poignant, sometimes emotional and extremely personal show that has been adapted well to a St. Louis setting, although the Britishisms in the script (“Tea and Biscuits”, for instance) are still apparent.

The star of the show here is obviously Nigh, who is especially engaging as she navigates the story and all its emotional highs and lows. She deftly manages a strong rapport with the audience, as well, along with a strong stage presence and sense of character, even though she’s playing this “as herself”. This is a particularly challenging role considering the interactive aspects of it and how Nigh, while she handpicks her “co-stars” doesn’t know who is going to turn up each night and so there is an element of surprise for her as well as for the audience. Nigh rises to the challenge admirably. It’s an impressive performance.  Also impressive is the sound design, by Mark Kelley, and the coordination of the sounds and music that happen on cue as needed. Although the show’s production values are fairly minimal, since there isn’t really a set and there are no costume changes, the sound is what especially stands out, augmenting the show’s dramatic and interactive nature.

Every Brilliant Thing is a lot of things, kind of like the list that serves at its heart. It’s poignant, it’s incisive, it’s witty, and it’s anchored by a particularly strong central performance. Keeping in mind the sensitive subject matter, this is a show that makes a strong impression in a short time. It’s one to check out.

R-S Theatrics is presenting Every Brilliant Thing at the Kranzberg Arts Center until December 2, 2018

 

Read Full Post »