EVERY BRILLIANT THING Returns to Contemporary Theater Company

"1. Ice cream. 2. Water fights. 3. Staying up past your bedtime and being allowed to watch TV." That's how the titular list in Every Brilliant Thing by Duncan Macmillan, returning to the Contemporary Theater Company from April 7-15 begins.

The one-person show, starring Contemporary Theater Company Associate Artistic Director Ashley Macamaux, had a successful run in January, and returns to kick off a full spring season.

"The first run had a wonderful response from audiences, and we're thrilled to bring it back," says the show's director Maggie Cady.

The show follows the narrator from childhood to adulthood as they create a list of all the brilliant things in the world that make life worth living. Along the way, the play deals with topics from depression and suicide to music and love.

"Duncan Macmillian has created a playground of life events for the actor to play as closely to their own lives as they want," says Macamaux. "I am so honored to work on a show featuring so many of the relatable and important ups and downs we all go through."

The show tackles interesting and important topics, while staying funny and sweet throughout.

"One of the really exciting parts of the show," says Cady, "is how interactive it is with the audience."

Macamaux spends the preshow talking with audience members and handing out pieces of paper with entries from the list of brilliant things that they will shout out when called on during the show. Audience members play everything from the school counselor to their dad, making the audience an integral part of the show.

"We've been having fun adding new aspects to the show," says Cady. "For this run, we're putting the audience in the round, making the show even more intimate."

The Contemporary Theater Company kicks off its spring season with Every Brilliant Thing, followed up with Dirt by Bryony Lavery and The Clean House by Sarah Ruhl performed in repertory. All three plays tackle serious themes with a light-hearted style.

Sundays are Senior Day at the CTC with discounts for seniors at Sunday matinees, supported by the Green Line Apothecary down the street from the theater in Wakefield.

Performance dates: Apr 7-8, 13-15 at 7 pm, Apr 9 at 2 pm

Calendar of Events

Micetro Improv

Every Friday at 9:30 pm
Our troupe of improvisers make up scenes and songs on-the-spot. It's fun, it's real, and every performance is truly unique! The players vie for your vote to be the Micetro Champion and win the coveted Bucci Helmet!

Tickets: $8, Box Office: 401-218-0282, Website: http://contemporarytheatercompany.com, Email: info@thecontemporarytheater.com, The Contemporary Theater Company, 327 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879

Every Brilliant Thing by Duncan Macmillan

Apr 7-8, 13-15 at 7 pm, Apr 9 at 2 pm

Every Brilliant Thing starts with a child's attempts to help their mother and follows them through their own grown-up struggles. It all comes down to a list of every brilliant thing in life - from ice cream to falling in love. It's a heartfelt and hilarious look at depression in an intimate and interactive one-person show!

Tickets: Adult - $25, Student - $15, Thursdays are Pay-What-You-Can ($18 in advance), Sundays are Senior Day with Seniors - $18 Box Office: 401-218-0282, Website: http://contemporarytheatercompany.com, Email: info@thecontemporarytheater.com, The Contemporary Theater Company, 327 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879

Wakefield Idol

Thursdays through Mar 30 at 7 pm

The hottest thing in town! In the fourth annual Wakefield Idol, 64 local singers compete for a $1500 cash prize! The judges and the live audience vote for the best of the best as the singers dazzle the crowd! Stay engaged and excited all winter with Wakefield Idol!

Tickets: Quarterfinals - $20, Semifinals - $25, Finals - $30 Box Office: 401-218-0282, Website: http://contemporarytheatercompany.com, Email: info@thecontemporarytheater.com, The Contemporary Theater Company, 327 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879

Dirt by Bryony Lavery

Apr 21-22, May 4-6, 20 at 7 pm, May 7 at 2 pm

Dirt follows a woman through the night she didn't know would be her last - from dinner to dust. A heartfelt and funny look at how our lives intertwine, and how death affects those left behind.

Tickets: Adult - $25, Student - $15, Thursdays are Pay-What-You-Can ($18 in advance), Sundays are Senior Day with Seniors - $18 Box Office: 401-218-0282, Website: http://contemporarytheatercompany.com, Email: info@thecontemporarytheater.com, The Contemporary Theater Company, 327 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879

The Clean House by Sarah Ruhl

Apr 28-29, May 11-13, 19 at 7 pm, May 14 at 2 pm

The Clean House deals with death, the importance of laughter, and a woman's relationship with her husband's lover. With beauty and humor, The Clean House confronts the sadness and relief of acceptance.

Tickets: Adult - $25, Student - $15, Thursdays are Pay-What-You-Can ($18 in advance), Sundays are Senior Day with Seniors - $18 Box Office: 401-218-0282, Website: http://contemporarytheatercompany.com, Email: info@thecontemporarytheater.com, The Contemporary Theater Company, 327 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879

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