Gesa Power House Theatre presents “Every Brilliant Thing” starring Kevin Loomer and directed by Nancy Simon, with performances September 29 and 30 at 7:30 p.m. and October 1 at 2:00 p.m.
“Every Brilliant Thing” is a one-actor play, adapted by playwright Duncan McMillan from his own short story “Sleeve Notes”. British comedian Jonny Donahue, who originated the role, shares in the writing credit. The play’s title refers to a list – of everything wonderful in the world – that the narrator writes in response to his mother attempting suicide. He starts the list at age seven with items like “ice cream” and “staying up past your bedtime”, and as the narrator grows older, the list grows longer.
The play’s story spans nearly three decades and several life-changing events, evoking laughter and tears in equal measure. The play has received critical acclaim in London, Edinburgh, and Off-Broadway in New York City.
“Every Brilliant Thing” invites some audience participation, primarily through asking people to read a few words aloud during the performance from slips of paper they are given as they enter the theater. A few audience members are incorporated into scenes, with the actor doing most of the heavy lifting. The play will be performed “in the round” with on-stage seating.
Kevin Loomer is a familiar face on Walla Walla’s many stages – under the spotlight and behind the scenes. He last performed on the Gesa Power House Theatre stage in “Such Sweet Thunder” in 2015, and as the title character in “The Merchant of Venice” in 2013. Kevin is the Director of Theatre Arts at Walla Walla Community College.
Director Nancy Simon is Professor Emerita at Whitman College where she taught theater classes and directed at Harper Joy Theatre for nearly 50 years. Following her retirement, she remains active in the local theater scene. She directed a staged reading of Pat Henry’s play “Auschwitz and After” at Gesa Power House Theatre in 2016.
Reserved seating tickets are available online (www.phtww.com) or by calling the box office at 509-529-6500.
Sunday Oct 1, 2017
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM PDT
Friday, Sept. 29 & Saturday, Sept. 30 at 7:30 PM
Sunday, Oct. 1 at 2:00PM
Gesa Power House Theatre
111 N. 6th Avenue
Walla Walla, WA 99362
$20 Adult; $15 Student
Printed courtesy of www.wwvchamber.com/ – Contact the Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce for more information.
29 East Sumach Street, Walla Walla, WA 99362 – 509.525.0850 – info@wwvchamber.com