From despair to joy
Introspection can be a delicate endeavor. The human mind is capable of incredible extremes, from astonishing compassion to paralyzing despair.
It's the exploration of that duality, and just about everything in between, that is central to the struggle that will play out in a one-man show coming to Gulfshore Playhouse. "Every Brilliant Thing" will mark the opening of the new Struthers Studio, the black box theatre space in the Baker Theatre and Education Center.
It will also mark a moment in time when Southwest Florida audiences will get a glimpse of the complicated and sometimes comical psychological processes that help a youngster cope with an uncertain future.
"Every Brilliant Thing," written by Duncan MacMillan with Jonny Donahoe, tells the story of a man who, from the age of 7, strives to cope with his mother's depression and suicide attempts by creating a list of every- thing that makes life worth living. Over the course of his life, he continues adding to the list of those brilliant things, which he shares with his mother when she is feeling down.
An example of the simple, yet philosophically insightful items on the list:
#1) Ice cream. #2) Kung fu movies. #3) Burning things. #4) Laughing so hard you shoot milk out your nose. #5) Construction cranes. #6) Me.
In this one-of-a-kind production, Jeffrey Binder stars as the Storyteller. The accomplished actor-writer-producer returns to the Gulfshore Playhouse, where he served as associate artistic director for six seasons. He has performed on Broadway, off-Broadway, regionally and in London's West End, as well as on television and in film. His credits include "The Lion King," "Mary Poppins" and "My Fair Lady," however, the role he may draw the most inspiration and confidence from is a previous solo show at Gulfshore Playhouse.
"It is a very different experience. Regardless of whether there are people on stage, you always have a living audience in front of you," Binder said. "That's what makes live theater incredible. When it's just you and the audience, a one-person show allows you to connect in a very different way, which is exciting."
Performing a one-man stage show is a daunting task that requires immense courage, creativity and vulnerability. Exploring the complexities of life through a solo performance presents a unique set of challenges that can push an artist to the limits of versatility and expressive range.
"It's a wonderful thing for an actor to do a one-person show because it really exercises your entire acting muscle," Binder said. "It's between you and the audience and you can't let up. I love that connection because it's so much more personal."
It doesn't get more personal than depression and suicide. In "Every Brilliant Thing," the Storyteller begins by telling the audience about the first time he learned his mother was in the hospital after an attempt to take her own life. That began a lifelong commitment to making a list of every brilliant thing in the world worth living for. The range of emotions evoked runs the gamut of depression and hope, uncertainty and change, confusion and joy, heartbreak and anger, relationships and solitude, and guilt and forgiveness.
This passionate exploration of the human condition will be the first performance to grace the new Struthers Studio in the Baker Theatre and Education Center. The black box theatre space is the perfect venue for a production that depends on intimacy and audience focus. It's theater-in-the-round style, where the artist is surrounded on all sides by seating that can be configured to enhance the mood of the performance.
Kristen Coury, the founder, CEO and production artistic director of Gulfshore Playhouse, has seen her theater complex continue to evolve. Debuting this poignant and unforgettable play in the new dramatic space is a thrilling next step.
"I could not be more excited to christen the Struthers Studio with this touching and heartwarming one-man play," Coury said. "'Every Brilliant Thing' will have you laughing, crying, reminiscing and reminding yourself what it means to be human. This play is the catharsis we all need right now."
Central to the cathartic experience is the role of the audience. Throughout the performance, the audience is invited to help tell the story. Select members are chosen and given items on the Brilliant list to shout out when their number is called. Others are given roles to play, representing pivotal people from the Storyteller's life. By interacting with the spectators, the Storyteller conveys the scope of his mother's depression as a backdrop and how it transformed his life and relationships as well.
"The play's themes of finding joy in adversity resonate deeply, and the intimate setting of the studio allows for a completely immersive experience," said Director Risa Brainin. "We've created an environment that is warm and welcoming where the audience becomes an integral part of the storytelling from the moment they step into the theatre."
Transforming the script into a visually engaging production within the Struthers space poses logistical challenges. The responsibility for creating an immersive experience will have Brainin drawing on her extensive and successful track record. She has served as artistic director of Shakespeare Santa Cruz, associate artistic director for both Kansas City Repertory Theatre and Indiana Repertory Theatre, and resident director at the Guthrie Theater.
"She's directed all over the country at every major theater and she's just a wonderful, smart, very emotionally connected and very interesting director," Binder said. "We were incredibly lucky to be able to get her to be a part of this."
Building a rapport with the audience is vital, so it is incumbent on the artist to create a profound connection. This solo journey requires dedication but offers transformative rewards for both performer and spectator.
"It's interesting, audiences have different moods and it's a fascinating thing to experience," Binder said. "In a one-person show, it's almost as though they become one living organism and their mood fills the space. It's definitely noticeable and it definitely affects you. The story lives through you but you're inhabiting it in nuanced and interesting ways from night to night."
Despite its serious overtones, the show is hopeful. The list ultimately transcends its genesis as a way to buoy the Storyteller's mother and ends up sustaining the life of the Storyteller himself. Chronicling the value of life's simplest pleasures, from the sentimental to the funny, becomes a blueprint for self-healing.
"These things are uniquely human in very this piece goes to places that are dark, the thing I love about it is its many peaks and valleys. It goes from humor to emotional back to humor and it's also very musical. All these different, really wonderful directions keep it very poignant but also
"'Every Brilliant Thing' stands as a beacon of understanding and hope. It highlights the power of human connection and the strength found in the simple, brilliant moments of life."
A one-man stage show about life's ups and downs is a brave undertaking, but with determination and passion, artists can overcome obstacles and deliver impactful performances that resonate deeply with audiences.
"This the whole experience, I think, connects you to the movements, connects you to the emotions, connects you to the humor, connects you to the lives in a really fun way," Binder says. "It's really a celebration and there's so much hope. In my opinion, it's not what you think it's gonna be." ¦
In the KNOW
"Every Brilliant Thing"
· Where: Gulfshore Playhouse, 100 Goodlette-Frank Rd, Naples
· When: Now through Dec. 15
· Tickets: Starting at $39, with discounts available for educators and students.
