“[Every Brilliant Thing] was one of the most powerful shows presented this season!” – CV Weekly

Thank you Dee Jae Cox and CV Weekly for your review of EVERY BRILLIANT THING: “This one-person show, originally produced in 2013, is not based on a true story, but touches the truths of many stories. The show was most recently presented at Dezart Performs in a ‘Theatre in the Round,” arena, with no sets or costume changes, minimal props and a single actor, and it was one of the most powerful shows presented this season.

“Joel Bryant, is the Storyteller. Beginning at age six, facing his mother’s first suicide attempt and traveling throughout the journey of his life as he discovers love and loss. Bryant, is without doubt, one of the most brilliant things in this show. His ability to evoke laughter and poignancy and take the entire audience with him on this journey of love, sadness and joy, is pure magic. Bryant is a master of his craft.

“Deborah Harmon, directs this piece. Harmon, is without doubt one of the desert’s most gifted directors. She infuses a sensitivity in her staging that brings this story to its fullest heights. In her ‘Director’s Notes,’ Harmon, comments that Bryant “owns this play in a way that I have never seen an actor own a role.” I most definitely concur with that assessment. But Harmon’s own gifts to this show are apparent. This production is a shining example of a synchronicity that defines the wonder of theatre.

“Bravo to Dezart Performs and Producers Michael Shaw and Clark Dugger. Every Brilliant Thing was originally slated to be the closing show of the season that was abruptly ended by the pandemic in 2020.  Instead, it brought brilliance to the conclusion of Dezart’s current season.”

For the complete review, click here.