Milwaukee Chamber Theatre’s ‘Every Brilliant Thing’ Reminds Us Happiness Is in the Details
American mathematician Cliff Shaw is quoted saying “It’s the little things that count, hundreds of ’em.” But for the protagonist of Milwaukee Chamber Theatre’s Every Brilliant Thing, it’s a million of ‘em— literally.
When the narrator, played by actor James Carrington (Mr. Burns: A Post Electric Play, The Wiz, The Ballad of Emmett Till) during the performance I attended, and actor Elyse Edelman (a force in The Not-so-Accidental Conviction of Eleven Milwaukee Anarchists) in alternate performances, was young he started a list of “every brilliant thing” he could think of.
Number one: ice cream. Number six: roller coasters. Number 201: Hammocks. Number 517: Knowing someone well enough to get them to check your teeth for broccoli. Number 993: desserts as a main course. Number 999: sunlight.
CONTENT WARNING
We meet the narrator in the fall of 1993. He opens the story recalling his first experience with death, going to the vet to put his family dog, Charles Barkley, down. Not so long after, he has his second life altering experience: his mother’s survived suicide attempt.
He starts the list in this moment: a collection of the little things that spark genuine joy. The kind of joy makes you, as Artistic Director Brett Hazelton says in the playbill, “smile when you’re alone.” While the list started as a way to help his mother remember why life is so special, it ended up being the most constant presence throughout his own life.
We (and the list of every brilliant thing) follow the narrator through his milestones: being an awkward kid in high school, finding that one college professor that changes everything, meeting the love of your life, getting married, building a home. But life’s milestones aren’t always so happy.
Following the narrator’s split from his husband, he fell into a depression for the first time. As an adult, he was able to understand why his mother’s life was so full of despair: the state of the world, bills, responsibilities, disappointments, expectations, lack of time, lack of money, lack of energy.
“When I was younger, I was much better at being happy,” he says.
The list, which has been expanded by colleagues, friends, classmates and lovers through the years, was now in the hundred thousands. The narrator was determined to get it to a million, as an exercise to remind himself of the little things that spark genuine joy.
The play, directed by Molly Rhode, is a simple slice of life story, and therefore relies heavily on storytelling techniques. The first thing to know about this play is there is no fourth wall. There is zero space between the performer and the audience, the story and the playgoing experience. From minute one, there is audience interaction.
Several audience members were one of the “brilliant things,” and were asked to shout out their list item from their seats when their number was called. (I was #999,999: completing a task).
But a handful of audience members had roles beyond that, too. Most prominently is the narrator’s father, who is brought on stage a couple of times and even asked to improvise a short father-of-the-groom speech.
Another big audience role is Sam, the love interest, who is asked to go on stage and propose to the narrator. A veterinarian, school counselor and a professor are other roles that were taken up by playgoers.
This format makes the show almost a group therapy session. It’s a conversation about grief, despair, self assurance, love, loneliness and community. It’s led brilliantly by Carrington who commands the sparsely decorated stage by himself.
And luckily, instead of just being spectators, we all get to share in the discourse. And maybe after his knockout performance, you’ll add the play to your own list of brilliant things.
Every Brilliant Thing runs through March 16 at The Milwaukee Youth Arts Center. Purchase your tickets here.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, help is available. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7, or visit 988lifeline.org for resources and support.
