CenterREP’s “Every Brilliant Thing” Is an Ode to Life’s Joys and Compassions
by Ed Brice
“Every Brilliant Thing”, currently performing at Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, CA., is a very clever, interactive solo performance that takes the audience on a journey that counts the moments that make life worthwhile, such as falling in love, as well as grief, healing, and discovering all that it has to offer.
Directed by celebrated Bay Area director Jeffrey Lo and starring William Thomas Hodgson, this story of the human experience is loaded with opportunities for audience interaction, which is both heart-wrenching and hilarious, all at the same time.
“Every Brilliant Thing” does have a serious nature, but it is cleverly balanced through the balance of humor and audience participation. I’m always amazed and impressed when an actor can perform for a solid hour-plus, without cue cards, and also does some quick, on your feet adlibbing with the audience as Hodgson does in this performance.
Hodgson convincingly portrays a young boy, then adult dealing with his mother’s suicidal attempts by keeping a “diary” of personal notes reflecting his attempts for his mother to see the good and positive things surrounding his life, hers, and others-which she will miss if...
Hodgson’s performance and self-notes to and with the audience, is a mixture of humor, positivity, melancholy, empathy, self-reflection and a plea for others experiencing this trauma, either personally or of others, to seek and ask for help, which is available.
“Every Brilliant Thing”, which superbly manages to find light in the darkness of depression, currently plays at the Lesher Center for the Arts (1601 Civic Dr.) in Walnut Creek, CA. through January 28, 2024. For tickets or more information please phone the box office at (925) 943-7469 or visit lesherartscenter.org.
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Photo caption: The Narrator (William Thomas Hodgson) takes the audience on a journey through life's most remarkable moments in Center Repertory Company's "Every Brilliant Thing," currently performing through January 28 at Lesher Center for the Arts. (Photo Credit: Alessandra Mello)