Every Brilliant Thing on Broadway Tickets

Every Brilliant Thing in New York

Critically acclaimed one-person play Every Brilliant Thing makes its Broadway debut at the Hudson Theatre, in the heart of Times Square, starring Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner Mariska Hargitay (through July 5). When a young child's mother attempts suicide, they create a list of all the “brilliant things” they can think of to cheer her up, in this funny, heart-wrenching and uplifting play. Every Brilliant Thing is “a real treat, and one not to be missed” (PlayBill) and comes to Broadway for a strictly limited run this year, following a 5-star run in London's West End. 

What Is the Play Every Brilliant Thing About?

“She finds it hard to be happy. So you start to make a list of everything that’s brilliant about the world. Everything that’s worth living for.”

When a six-year-old's mom is taken to the hospital following an attempted suicide, they decide to make a list of things that will help to make her happy again. As the young child grows into an adult, their list grows too. As the decades pass, the collection of “brilliant things” irrevocably shapes the course of how they live their life.

Every Brilliant Thing is a breathtaking one-person play about mental health, resilience and love. The show incorporates audience interaction, giving those who would like to the opportunity to contribute their own “brilliant thing” to this hopeful, moving and truly unique theatrical experience.

The History of Every Brilliant Thing

Every Brilliant Thing premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2014, produced by Paines Plough theatre company, to critical acclaim and has since toured internationally, including an off-Broadway run in 2014/15, which was later broadcast on HBO and starred co-creator Jonny Donahoe. The production was revived at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival again in 2024, and enjoyed a sell-out run celebrating both the play’s tenth and Paines Plough’s 50th anniversary. The show recently made its West End debut at London’s Soho Place, featuring a rotating cast of UK stars including Mini Driver. 

Every Brilliant Thing Broadway Cast

• Mariska Hargitay (through July 5)
• Tracee Ellis Ross (July 7 - August 9)

Every Brilliant Thing Broadway Creative Team

 Jonny Donahoe and Duncan Macmillan co-write every Brilliant Thing. Macmillan is a British playwright, screenwriter and director best known for his plays Lungs, which has had many productions, including at the Old Vic starring the Crown’s Claire Foy and Matt Smith, and People Places and Things starring Denise Gough. He is an Oliver Nominee.

Jonny Donahoe is a British comedian, writer and performer. He co-created and originated the lead role in Every Brilliant Thing, receiving nominations for Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel Awards for his performance in 2014/15. He is part of Award-nominated comedy band Jonny and the Baptists and his other credits include Anna/Anastasia, 30 Christmases, and Forgiveness.

Jeremy Herrin directs. Herrin is is an Olivier Award-winning British director. The former artistic director of acclaimed UK theatre company Headlong, Herrin’s credits include This House for the National Theatre, Wolf Hall and Bringing Up the Bodies in London and on Broadway and Long Day's Journey into Night at the Wyndham's Theatre starring Brian Cox.

Book Tickets for Every Brilliant Thing at the Hudson Theatre

We can think of one brilliant thing that is a must to add to your list - securing tickets to see this “extraordinary, shattering and beautiful” (The Times) solo show. So don't miss this strictly limited run, coming to New York this new year - book tickets for Every Brilliant Thing at the Hudson Theatre today!