Every Brilliant Thing by Duncan MacMillan with Jonny Donahoe runs at the Orlando Shakes (812 E Rollins St, Orlando, FL 32803) runs through October 16, 2021. Suzanne O’Donnell did a magnificent job ass the narrator in this one person play.
The Shakes is coming back with full safety precautions in mind. All cast and crew at the Shakes are fully vaccinated. The theater also insists that the audience bring a vaccination card and photo ID to the performance.
I have had my vaccination card in my wallet for the last six months and this is the first time anyone has asked to see it. I was excited and proud to finally show my vaccination status. Those vaccine cards however are printed with cheap diapering inks. The police officer outside the theater had a hard time making out the faint marks that remained on the card. Ultimately I was waived in and I got to see my theater posters full size for the first time.
Pam and I elected to sit in the socially distanced section of the theater. In every row black lace marked several seats in alternating spots where people should not sit. This would allow for at least 4 feet of social distancing between groups. Everyone was wearing masks. I felt safe and secure to relax and enjoy the show as I sketched. Members of the audience were given numbered cards with list items on them. During he show Suzanne would shout out a number and an audience member would shout out what was written on their card. Pam pointed out that one guy kept removing his mask when he had to shout out his item, which kind of defeated the point of having a mask. One drawback is that the audience wasn’t always on top of their callback game but the actress handed these glitches with grace and humor.
Every brilliant thing has to do with a list the narrator began compiling as a child which was expanded later in life. She started the list because her mother was depressed and felt no desire to live. The list was for her mother to remind her of every brilliant thing that makes life worth living. Number 1 was of course ice cream. Later in life the items became more subtle like lending a book to a friend and actually having them read it. This was a perfect play for these pandemic times. We have all been isolated in some way and the joys in life must be found even through the isolation. Happiness was mixed with a pinch of sadness.
Suzanne exuded joy and passion for life, and in the end as she relaxed on her lounge listening to music I left feeling she would be fine, even though life is bitter sweet.
Three cheers to the Shakes for bringing back theater safely and responsibly. They are a bright light in these dark times.