As famous author Kurt Vonnegut once remarked, ‘Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you’ll look back and realize they were the big things.’

Bringing to light life’s simple pleasures, Every Brilliant Thing emphasizes that no matter what, there is always something to be grateful for, even when it seems impossible to find.

Amusing, heartfelt, poignant and immersive, Every Brilliant Thing is an interactive piece of experimental theater storytelling that hinges on involvement and its success depends on the combination of a charismatic and efficient storyteller and a game audience.

Directed insightfully by Danielle Fauteux Jacques and an excellent choice for the New Year, Apollinaire Theatre Company continues Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe’s Every Brilliant Thing or Cada Cosa Maravillosa live and in person at Chelsea Theatre Works in Chelsea, Massachusetts through January 19.  Alternately starring Parker Jennings and Cristhian Mancinas-García, this refreshing and informative production is presented in both English and Spanish and runs approximately 70 minutes long with no intermission.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

Set in 1988 and beyond, the small but mighty little things in life are easier to find through the eyes of this seven year old storyteller, even when facing traumatic times.  The prospect of dressing up as a Mexican wrestler, roller coasters, and wearing a cape are just a few of the brilliant things that make life worth living.  Why would anyone want to throw it all away?

Transforming this Chelsea theater space into a cozy, multi-level room with vintage flair, scenic and sound designer Joseph Lark-Riley invites the audience to feel right at home featuring scattered living room chairs, flowers, plush couches, a dining room, and rugs spread out on the floor.  Danielle Fouteux Jacques as lighting designer adds vintage flair with a variety of eclectic lamps and Lark-Riley’s upbeat selection of American Standards from the swing era and beyond.  Music and exacting sound effects also play a significant and symbolic role in this production which leaves lots of room for originality and imagination with makeshift props and much more.

It takes a special ability to solely make an audience comfortable while bringing them into your confidence.  Cristhian Mancinas-García rises to the occasion with unassuming sincerity and playfulness that adds levity to the production’s somber moments.  Sharing his journey with earnestness and ingenuity, he warmly brings this zany and game audience cheerfully into elements of the production.

Every Brilliant Thing is ideal for people who wish to play along and participate in minor ways, but if you are performance shy, maybe sit in the back.  It has some flexibility and a way of bringing the audience uniquely together while leaving you at the edge of your seat for what is next.    

Fast paced and improvisational, Every Brilliant Thing infuses a life affirming journey into a shared experience while spontaneously drawing connections into its articulate and occasionally arbitrary script.  Mancinas-García tackles a challenging piece and it is amazing how well he draws each connection into the story as each little joy is revealed in its amusing and ardent beauty that one can only long to reflect on them a bit longer. 

For some, the New Year can bring great hope and immense reflection.  Every Brilliant Thing has a way of delivering both in love, loss, grief, and trauma with moments of humor and joy.  It is short enough that it never wears thin and long enough to tell a complete, meaningful and relevant tale that will be sure to carry weight for many and a solid reminder of the joy in the smallest of things and a restored appreciation of everything.

Apollinaire Theatre Company continues Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe’s Every Brilliant Thing or Cada Cosa Maravillosa live and in person at Chelsea Theatre Works in Chelsea, Massachusetts through January 19.  Click here for more information and for tickets.