Theater Review: Daniel Radcliffe Is Smashing in ‘Every Brilliant Thing’

Every Brilliant Thing

Every Brilliant Thing stars the inimitable Daniel Radcliffe in a joyously interactive solo performance as the Narrator. A global phenomenon, the hybrid comedy/drama has been performed for over a decade. Presented Off Broadway at the Barrow Street Theatre in 2014, it finally landed in its Broadway premiere at the Hudson Theatre and runs through May 24, 2026.

Written by British playwright Duncan Macmillan initially as a 15-minute monologue, the play evolved into a longer work with co-playwright Jonny Donahoe. Culturally diverse cities and theater companies around the world perform the piece with male and female Narrators. The productions adapt the particularities to accommodate various cultures. In the published script the playwrights include the notes of these differences for a humorous read.

Triggering Topics

In this production, Radcliffe’s Narrator introduces the triggering topics of depression and taking one’s life from the perspective of a seven-year-old. After the introduction the play turns into an extended flashback of the Narrator’s life, which spins on audience participation seamlessly woven into his storytelling. Not understanding his mom’s profound desolation, the Narrator describes how he tries to encourage her out of depression during her initial hospitalization. He gives her his list of life’s “brilliant things.” Ice cream tops the list.

The Narrator flashes back to key facts about his mom’s first attempt to take her own life. At that juncture “the list” expands and develops a life of its own. Eventually, though enumerating hundreds of thousands of great things, the Narrator still can’t understand his mom’s mental state. Furthermore, his denial about his own depressed, isolating behaviors worsens. As an adult, he ignores his beloved partner when they tell him to go for help.

Over time the recognition of his emotional state brings enlightenment. Only then can he confront the devastating impact of his mom’s depression on everyone around her and most importantly himself.

A Special Production

What makes this production so special is Radcliffe’s love and encouragement. With his prodigious talent he elicits enthusiasm from participating audience members. Thrilled to be selected, they share a unique, communal vibe. It begins when the first audience member shouts out in response to Radcliffe’s #1: “Ice cream.” They do this from the balcony, or the back row, wherever the person sits who has the paper with #1 written on it.

Amazingly, Radcliffe’s sensitivity tunes in to audience members’ responses and discomforts. Prepared for the unpredictable with in-the-moment spontaneity, Radcliffe’s performance can’t be quantified. It’s breathtaking.

In addition to Radcliffe’s numbered shoutouts, he guides the participation of lucky audience members he selects. They help him relate key segments of the Narrator’s life. Included are the roles of a vet, a librarian, an old couple, his dad, his partner and more. Interestingly, the Narrator’s mother never appears and no explanation is given for this.

Key Players in the Narrator’s Life

The key players in the Narrator’s life sit on stage. To their surprise Radcliffe sits next to a few of them or asks them to perform at crucial moments. In one example, the vet gives his dying dog a shot (a pen was used the night I saw it) to ease him out of the world. These moments happen magically in real time. Those selected pay attention and listen acutely, taking their lead from him. What results brings humor, uplift and surprise. What happens comes at the whim of the audience members whom Radcliffe selects to perform with his scripted guidance.

Directors Jeremy Herrin and Duncan Macmillan shepherd Radcliffe to choose audience members as they arrive. Some might be visiting actors, though there are no plants. The audience members’ parts leave freedom for ad libs and funny or somber retorts. Some of the unique responses even tickle Radcliffe.

As the Narrator chronicles his stages of development from teenager to adult, the list becomes an afterthought that he at times reviews. In reflection about his “childish” perspective, Radcliffe’s Narrator questions the list’s efficacy. Did it help to alleviate his mother’s extreme ups and downs? Did it startle his unemotional, undemonstrative father into a more responsive relationship with his family?

The List Fails

Clearly, the list’s intended result doesn’t pan out. But there are positive unintended results. The list becomes a beacon that shines continually. Others he meets and befriends keep it going as an uplifting fulfillment of hope. For example the list even has a Facebook page that you might add to if invited.

One of the high points of Every Brilliant Thing occurs when the Narrator meets his partner. In rehearsals, Radcliffe and the directors considered every contingency for the segment which moves the Narrator’s relationship from the first date, to a wedding, to a marriage, to a split. The night I saw it, the lovely audience member he selected as his partner glowed. And Radcliffe’s energy reflected their ebullience and transmitted it to the audience. During the experience the Narrator achieves a high not felt before because his parents show their happiness dancing together at his wedding.

Radcliffe’s “High-Fives”

Another fun moment occurs when Radcliffe’s Narrator runs around the audience, attempting to “high-five” everyone. However, his emotional peak immediately craters into the downward, depressive spiral. Even the list of hundreds of thousands of brilliant things can’t stop his “peaks and valleys” from happening like they happened to his mom.

The play must not be underestimated because of its easy enjoyment. Powerful themes enlighten. One focuses on the inability of the depressed sufferer and those impacted to connect and effectively talk about their isolation. Importantly, tucked in here and there between fun scenes and belly laughs, Radcliffe’s Narrator takes pauses. He identifies convenient truths and salient information about depression and those who take their lives. The Narrator never solves the mystery about his mother. Only evident is her suffering, which neither he nor his father can understand. But he has the list as a remembrance of hope which can’t be extinguished.

Every Brilliant Thing runs through May 24, 2026 at the Hudson Theater.