Every Brilliant Thing Starring Jonny Donahoe

New Beginnings present
Every Brilliant Thing

Starring Jonny Donahoe
Written by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe

October 24 and 26, 2025

From Drama Desk Award-nominated writer and performer Jonny Donahoe and Olivier Award-nominated writer Duncan Macmillan, Every Brilliant Thing returns to Santa Barbara for the second time with the show’s original co-creator and star, Jonny Donahoe. This unique and critically acclaimed play has become a global stage phenomenon, playing in over 80 countries worldwide.

You’re seven years old. Mum’s in hospital. Dad says she’s ‘done something stupid’. She finds it hard to be happy. You start a list of everything that’s brilliant about the world. Everything worth living for. You leave it on her pillow. You know she’s read it because she’s corrected your spelling.

A child attempts to ease their mother’s depression by creating a list of all the best things in the world. Through adulthood, as the list grows, they learn the deep significance it has in their own life. Every Brilliant Thing is a comedy about the lengths we will go for those we love.

Reviews:

“Rich with theatrical innovation, it is truly a brilliant thing. I wrote this with tears in my eyes”

The Times

“An extraordinarily rich hour of theatre…unmissable.”

The Observer

 “The old critical cliché-you’ll laugh, you’ll cry”-very much applies. But Mostly You’ll Laugh.”

The Los Angeles Times

Performance Dates and Times:
Friday, October 24 at 7:00 PM
Sunday, October 26 at 2:00 PM

Ticket Prices:
General Admission: $53 (Plus $2 online service charge)
(Reception included in ticket price)

**All sales are final. No refunds or exchanges.**

All seating is general admission unless otherwise noted. For all performances, there is limited late seating once the performance begins. Please plan your arrival time accordingly.

You can use e-tickets, print-at-home tickets, or request that Will Call tickets wait for you at the Box Office. If you have any questions, please email Jim Sirianni at info@centerstagetheater.org.

Thank you to everyone in the community for your continued support. We would not still be here without you!