Since 2019, the Utah Shakespeare Festival’s “Every Brilliant Thing” has entertained and educated audiences all over the state of Utah. It is now returning with an incredible team and a new spark for the story.
“It starts with a young person when they’re seven years old, and it deals with their relationship with depression,” said Director Britannia Howe. During the play, the protagonist sees the struggle of their parents’ depression and eventually has their own personal battle with it. “They end up making this list of every brilliant thing they find in the world as a gift to their mother to try and make their mother happy.”
The tour stars Angelique Archer, a Cincinnati-based actress, and Southern Utah University alumnus Marco Vega as the story’s two narrators. “They both give a really honest performance but will also have you laughing, too. It’s just a really beautiful piece,” said Howe.
Having received widespread positive feedback from schools after a COVID-19 induced hiatus, the tour aims to share their message with people all around Utah. Conversations around mental health have become increasingly vital after isolation for students, and it’s important for people to know they’re not alone.
“I think that ultimately the message is that things get better. They might not always get brilliant, but they get better, which is a line from the show,” said Howe.
The “Every Brilliant Thing” tour also has a relationship with Safe UT, a free mental health resource. They hope that, by providing this resource alongside the show, they will be able to give students and educators a way to get the help they may need. Their website states, “The SafeUT app provides a way to connect to licensed counselors that are ready to listen to any sized crisis or concern. Support is immediate and confidential, and as easy as reaching for your phone and sending that first message.”
The tour will also be performing at SUU as part of Suicide Prevention and Awareness Week on March 22nd at 7 p.m. in the Southern Utah University Auditorium. For more information, check the listing on the SUU Events Calendar.
Author: Shay Wilkey
Photos courtesy of the Utah Shakespeare Festival
Editor: Tessa Cheshire
arts@suunews.net
