Review: The Stage Is Set for Something Brilliant, with Duncan Macmillan's Every Brilliant Thing at The Offcentral Players

“Things get better. They may not always get brilliant, but they get better.”

-Narrator, Every Brilliant Thing

“In order to live in the present, we have to strive for a future greater than our past...”

-Narrator, Every Brilliant Thing

Duncan MacMillan’s Every Brilliant Thing is different than anything we have seen as of late. I think this is what truly makes it an endearing yet very sobering piece. Grounded in Audience Participation and two constants, a list and the Mother’s mental illness. In this fast paced but never rushed 65 minute tour-de force the Narrator who is remaining nameless maneuvers his way through the space telling the tale of his younger years, his time in college, falling in and out of love, marriage and eventually the failings/ups and downs in which life brings along its path.

Our Narrator played by the wonderfully talented Dylan Barlowe begins his story at the age of 7 in the month of November, the year 1977 as this is where the list began. The audience is soon introduced to the Narrator telling the story of having to put his beloved dog Sherlock Bones to rest. The narrator asks an audience member to assume the role of the vet, and inject Sherlock Bones, and soon the Narrator explains, “....as a 7 year old I have no concept of finality.” This was and is our protagonist first experience with death, “...the idea of a loved one becoming an object, and going away forever.” He then proceeds to go on explaining the thought on this process, “...When something bad happens your brain feels it before your body does, fight or flight.”

Often times shows with audience participation have the ability to come across fluffy, and put on. Sometimes they can seem scattered and off the cuff. That is the decisive difference in this specific production. Dylan Barlowe’s performance and Anthony Gervais’s keen direction work together like magic not a step out of place. Dylan's performance is childlike when it needs to be and seamlessly transitions into adulthood effortlessly. One thing that makes this performance exquisite is the sheer breath-of-fresh air quality about Dylan’s portrayal. You feel his ache, his heart, his joy, and his pain all in a span of 65 minutes. The performance is so grounded in humanity that you absolutely cannot look away.

The topics touched on in this piece are not light-hearted by any means and the way in which they are delivered work on all angles. You see the Narrator’s struggle with his Mother’s mental illness, and the idea of an emotionally-distanced somewhat checked out father. All the while our Narrator has to grow-up trying everything to help his mother, but at the same time struggling  with the idea that there may be no help for her. Times throughout the piece our narrator leaves his list for his mother in hopes it will help her see all the good in the world. Time after time mother dismisses the list with no acknowledgement. The Narrator explains, “In order to live in the future, we have to imagine something that will be better than the past...that’s what hope is.”

A decade after mother’s first attempt we witness our narrator heading off to college. He mails the list anonymously back home, shortly after mother’s second attempt. There is a moment that makes this piece interesting. All the while you feel for the Narrator and his plight and fight or flight response while growing up. Throughout the story we also hear some facts to back up his plight. “We are all sub-conciouslly affected by the behavior of our peers. Marilyn Monroe’s death caused a spike of 12% in the number of suicides.” In this instance its similar to the idea that a close friend jumps off of a bridge; the question remains would you follow them in suit? The Werther Effect is defined as being a rise in suicide rate linked to media coverage of suicide(s), or which occurs in persons ‘inspired’ by reading about or having had a close relationship with a ‘successful’ suicide.

Our Narrator spends the show writing this list of Brilliant Things and trying to reach the penultimate number of one million in hopes it will bring his mother out of her depression. Shouting numbers 1,2,3, etc... and having audience members shout out things like “ice cream,” or “playing track number 7, on the perfect record.” At one point he discards the list altogether. Feeling lost, feeling broken, devoid of any hope. Then suddenly the list appears to him again. He falls in and out of love, experiences marriage and tremendous loss. The audience participation works on every level here.

Dylan Barlowe’s performance as the Narrator is something out of this world and should be experienced. Yes the subject matter leans slightly heavy, however, with his stage presence and true effervescent nature in this particular role, Dylan will  leave you filled with joy and beaming from ear to ear. The common ground in which he stands with Anthony Gervais as Director is so apparent in every moment of this swift 65 minute piece.  Its like two friends came together to produce magic onstage, and my friends I’m here to tell you, that is just what they have accomplished. All puns intended this is truly something Brilliant. The societal need for joy is now more present than ever before, and our friends, our family at the OffCentral have done just that. Coming off a sold-out run at St. Petersburg Studio620, audience who may have seen the show while it was in residence, will absolutely want to see it in this new space. In a different configuration, with different limitations, and to me slightly more conversational, you will want to see for yourself why this sold out as fast as it did the first time. You must absolutely not waste one minute, purchase those tickets to this life-affirming production that will move you to the core, for tickets will not be available long for this truly unique experience.

Folks, I implore you to not miss your chance to see this truly remarkable, and joyous yet sobering performance. In a world in which we need this type of human connection more than ever, I turn to fellow artist and like minded individuals to take me on a journey outside of our normal. The thing about this particular subject matter here is that it’s so much a reality. Mental Health and the stigma surrounding it should be a conversation, a narrative, that needs to be challenged, needs to be changed. Theatre is in the outright objective, and anyone from any walk of life can and will interpret the art form how they wish. The folks at the OffCentral have done a brilliant job exploring the stigma surrounding mental health, it is up to us as observers to change the conversation and I commend the OffCentral for their step in this movement. This production is a game changer socially and is deeply grounded in a stigma plaguing society even more so now than ever thought possible. Happy 3rd Birthday to the OffCentral Players, find out more about how you can become a part in the beautiful history of this growing company. As an audience member do yourself a favor and snag a reservation to this truly moving piece of art, by some incredibly talented individuals.The production is onstage through September 17, 2023, please visit www.theoffcentral.com for tickets.

PHOTO CREDIT: @DOWNTOWNCAROL

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