Every Brilliant Thing
On Broadway

When Duncan Macmillan and comedian Jonny Donahoe first created Every Brilliant Thing in 2013, they could hardly have imagined its trajectory. What began as a short monologue grew into a full-length solo play that Donahoe performed over 400 times across four continents, winning the 2015 Drama Desk Award for Best Play and earning nominations for the Lucille Lortel and Off-Broadway Alliance Awards. The show’s premise is deceptively simple: a man recounts his lifelong effort to catalog everything worth living for — from ice cream to the sound of a heavy rainstorm — as a way to reach his mother during her battle with depression. But in practice, the play is anything but simple. It’s a raw, funny, deeply moving piece of theater that has resonated with audiences in more than 80 countries and inspired a beloved HBO special.

The Broadway production at the Hudson Theatre (141 West 44th Street) marks the play’s long-awaited arrival on the biggest stage in American theater. Daniel Radcliffe, who won the Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for Merrily We Roll Along, takes on the role through May 24 in what critics have called his most personal and emotionally generous performance yet. Variety praised his work as “warm, funny and deeply moving,” while the New York Theatre Guide called it a production that “takes a village.” The intimate Hudson Theatre, with its 970-seat capacity and historic charm dating to 1903, is perfectly suited to a show where the fourth wall doesn’t just break — it never existed.

Beginning May 26, Mariska Hargitay steps into the role for the final five weeks of the run through June 28. Best known for her Emmy-winning, 25-year portrayal of Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU, Hargitay’s casting generated enormous excitement and represents her Broadway debut. The two-star structure gives audiences a rare chance to see the same script interpreted by two wildly different performers — Radcliffe bringing his theatrical training and comic timing, Hargitay bringing decades of dramatic gravitas and a personal connection to advocacy work around mental health and survivors’ rights.

Every Brilliant Thing is directed by Jeremy Herrin and co-director Duncan Macmillan, ensuring the playwright’s original vision carries through to Broadway. The production has partnered with Project Healthy Minds to offer mental health resources at every performance, reinforcing the show’s commitment to treating its subject matter with care. The interactive format — where audience members on stage and in the house hold numbered cue cards and are called upon to read items from the list — means no two performances are ever the same. It’s theater at its most communal, and it’s only here for 13 weeks.

How to Buy Every Brilliant Thing Broadway Tickets

Where can I buy Every Brilliant Thing tickets?

Tickets are available through the official Every Brilliant Thing website, the Hudson Theatre box office at 141 West 44th Street, and authorized primary sellers including Telecharge. The production also offers $45 in-person rush tickets at the box office on the day of each performance, subject to availability (limit two per person). Verified resale tickets are available on BigStub, a trusted third-party marketplace with no hidden fees and a buyer guarantee backed by over 20 years of experience.

When does Every Brilliant Thing run on Broadway?

The limited engagement runs from late March through June 28, 2026 at the Hudson Theatre. Daniel Radcliffe performs through May 24, and Mariska Hargitay takes over the role from May 26 through the final performance on June 28. The schedule includes evening performances and matinees — check the Hudson Theatre calendar for the full weekly schedule and any special added performances.

What should I know about the Hudson Theatre?

The Hudson Theatre is one of Broadway’s most intimate venues, located at 141 West 44th Street in the heart of Times Square. Built in 1903, it seats approximately 970 and offers excellent sightlines from nearly every seat. For Every Brilliant Thing, some audience members are seated on stage with the performer, creating an immersive in-the-round experience. The theater is ADA accessible and located near multiple subway lines (Times Square–42nd Street station serves the 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, W, and S trains).

Are resale tickets for Every Brilliant Thing legitimate?

Yes, when purchased from a reputable resale marketplace. BigStub verifies every seller and every ticket on its platform, and all purchases are backed by a comprehensive buyer guarantee with dedicated customer service. With the highest Trustpilot rating in the ticket resale industry and more than two decades of experience, BigStub is a safe and reliable way to secure seats — especially for a limited run where official channels may sell out quickly.

What if I can no longer attend my performance?

If your plans change, resale marketplaces like BigStub allow you to list your tickets for other fans to purchase. Given the limited 13-week run and high demand for both the Radcliffe and Hargitay engagements, Broadway resale tickets for this production tend to move quickly. Check the original seller’s transfer and resale policies before listing.

Every Brilliant Thing Broadway FAQ

What is Every Brilliant Thing about?

Every Brilliant Thing is a solo play in which a performer tells the story of a man who, as a young boy, begins writing a list of everything brilliant about the world to cheer up his mother during her hospitalization for depression. The list grows across his lifetime — through school, university, love, loss, and his own struggles — ultimately becoming a meditation on what makes life worth living. The show deals with themes of depression and suicide with honesty, humor, and warmth.

Who wrote Every Brilliant Thing?

The play was created by British playwright Duncan Macmillan and comedian-performer Jonny Donahoe. It premiered in 2013 and has since been performed in more than 80 countries. Donahoe originated the role and performed it over 400 times. The Broadway production is co-directed by Jeremy Herrin and Macmillan.

How long is Every Brilliant Thing on Broadway?

The performance runs approximately 70 to 85 minutes with no intermission. The exact runtime can vary slightly because of the interactive audience participation elements built into every show.

Is Every Brilliant Thing interactive?

Yes, and that is a huge part of what makes it special. Before the show begins, audience members receive numbered cue cards corresponding to items on the protagonist’s list. During the performance, the actor calls out numbers and those audience members read their items aloud. Some spectators are seated directly on stage alongside the performer, creating a genuine in-the-round experience where the boundary between actor and audience dissolves completely.

When does Daniel Radcliffe perform in Every Brilliant Thing?

Daniel Radcliffe performs from the start of the run through May 24, 2026. He is the first of two stars headlining the limited engagement at the Hudson Theatre.

When does Mariska Hargitay perform in Every Brilliant Thing?

Mariska Hargitay takes over the role beginning May 26, 2026 and performs through the final show on June 28, 2026. This marks her Broadway debut.

Is Every Brilliant Thing appropriate for children?

The production is recommended for ages 12 and up. The play contains themes of suicide and depression that are handled with sensitivity and hope, but parents should use their judgment. The production has partnered with Project Healthy Minds to provide mental health resources and support at every performance.

Where is the Hudson Theatre located?

The Hudson Theatre is at 141 West 44th Street in Manhattan, between Broadway and Sixth Avenue in the heart of the Times Square theater district. It is easily accessible via the Times Square–42nd Street subway station.

Are there discount tickets for Every Brilliant Thing?

The production offers $45 in-person rush tickets at the Hudson Theatre box office on the day of each performance, limited to two per person and subject to availability. Digital lottery and other discount options may also be available through the official website. On the resale market, BigStub often has a range of price points including options below face value when sellers are motivated to move their tickets.

How is Every Brilliant Thing different from a typical Broadway show?

Unlike most Broadway productions, Every Brilliant Thing features a single performer with no traditional set, costumes, or supporting cast. The staging is minimal and intimate, with the focus entirely on storytelling and audience connection. The interactive cue card element means the audience is genuinely part of the show, not just watching it. Many theatergoers describe it as one of the most personal and moving experiences they have ever had in a theater.