Every Brilliant Thing | Jan 24 - Feb 2, 2025

Creative Team & Cast

Creative Team

Director – Laura Keply

Stage Manager – Adam P. Blais*

Lighting Design – Michael Reidy

Sound Design – Nicholas Drashner

*members of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States

Cast

Tara Flanagan*

*member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.

About the Playwrights

Duncan MacmillanDuncan Macmillan
Plays include: PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS (2015-2017, National Theatre/Wyndham’s Theatre, West End); 1984, adapted from George Orwell (2013-2017, Headlong/Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company, West End, Broadway, international tours, co-adapted/co-directed with Rob Icke); EVERY BRILLIANT THING (2013-2017, Paines Plough/Pentabus Theatre, Edinburgh Festival, UK and international tours, HBO); CITY OF GLASS, adapted from Paul Auster (2017, 59 Productions, HOME, and Lyric Hammersmith); 2071, co-written with Chris Rapley (2014-2015, The Royal Court/Hamburg Schauspielhaus); THE FORBIDDEN ZONE (2014-2016, Salzburg Festival and Schaubühne Berlin); WUNSCHLOSES UNGLÜCK, adapted from Peter Handke (2014, Burgtheater Vienna); REISE DURCH DIE NACHT, adapted from Friederike Mayröcker (2012-2014, Schauspiel Köln, Festival d’Avignon, Theatertreffen); LUNGS (2011-2016, Paines Plough and Sheffield Theatres/Studio Theatre, Washington, DC); and MONSTER (2006, Royal Exchange Theatre).

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Jonny DonahoeJonny Donahoe
The co-creator and original performer of the acclaimed worldwide smash Every Brilliant Thing, he created the show alongside his friend Duncan Macmillan, performed the show over 400 times across four continents. The show and his performance at Barrow Street Theatre in New York was made into a film for HBO.

His comedy act Jonny and the Baptists (alongside his other friend Paddy Gervers) tour regularly throughout Britain and the rest of the world. Blending comic songs, satirical stand-up and traditional theatre-making, they make funny shows about serious things like wealth inequality, the climate change crisis, and the rise of nationalism and populism.

Thirty Christmases, which opened at The Old Fire Station in Oxford, and then transferred the following year off-West End to the New Diorama, and starred himself and his third friend Rachel Parris. He is currently adapting this play for TV.

Every Brilliant Thing

by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe

If you have ever written a “gratitude list” to remind you of all the things that make life worth living, this hilarious, heartbreaking and delightfully surprising interactive play is for you.

When a woman goes into the hospital because she finds it “hard to be happy”, her 6-year-old daughter starts writing her a list of all the brilliant things in life worth living for. No. 1: “Ice cream”, No. 25: “Wearing a cape”, No. 317: “The even numbered Star Trek films”. Told with the help of the audience, this critically acclaimed Off-Broadway hit will remind you of all the wonderful things that make life worth living.

Content Advisory:

This play addresses how a young child was influenced by the mental health challenges of their mother and how this later played out in their own life.  Although this play mentions depression and suicide, it also focuses on the ultimate and uplifting healing path the child needed to take to unravel the mystery and mastery of their own happiness as an adult.

Recommended for ages 13+

Sponsors

Thank You to Our Partners

Androscoggin Bank
Andwell Health Partners
Cross Insurance
Turner Publishing
Performance Dates
New Times – Thursday & Friday performances are now at 7:00 pm

Friday, Jan 24 at 7:00 PM
Saturday, Jan 25 at 3:00 PM
Sunday, Jan 25 at 2:00 PM

Thursday, Jan 30 at 7:00 PM
Friday, Jan 31 at 7:00 PM
Saturday, Feb 1 at 3:00 PM
Saturday, Feb 1 at 7:30 PM
Sunday, Feb 2 at 2:00 PM

IMPORTANT SEATING NEWS! PLEASE READ.

On-Stage Seating

THIS PRODUCTION WILL BE SEATING 24 PEOPLE ON-STAGE. Please click the image for details about how you can participate in this unique experience.

Ticket Prices

$35 Adult / $30 Group (10+) / $15 Youth (13-18).
Read about our 35 Below discount program for theatre-lovers ages 19-35.
We consider this show PG-13.
Pricing includes all applicable fees. Call 782-3200 for Group Sales.

JOIN US FOR THESE SPECIAL EVENTS
Included in your price of admission:
  • Jan 26 – Post-show talk-back with the Cast and Director. Following the 2:00 pm matinee.
  • Jan 30 – Wine Down Thursday – Come early and enjoy pre-show wine samples. Starts at 6:00 pm. – Courtesy of bon Vivant & Central Distributors​
  • Feb 1 – Saturday Night Samples – Come early and enjoy pre-show beer samples. Starts at 6:30 pm. – Courtesy of Baxter Brewing

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The Public Theatre

31 Maple Street
Lewiston, ME 04240

Business: (207) 782-2211
Tickets: (207) 782-3200