New Beginnings is hosting the British comedian Jonny Donahoe, performing his international smash hit, award-winning one-man show, Every Brilliant Thing. Every Brilliant Thing is a humorous and heart-warming performance about a boy growing up in the wake of his mother’s mental illness. The show has played more than 600 times on four continents, including five months off-Broadway at the Barrow Street Theater in New York. Every Brilliant Thing has been replicated by dozens of comedians throughout the world, and HBO has even produced a documentary special about the performance. We are very fortunate to bring the co-creator and original performer of Every Brilliant Thing to Santa Barbara and are excited to share this opportunity with our community so that we can help people have a deeper understanding of the impact of mental illness on us all.  
 
New Beginnings designed this event to engage attendees in discussion, experience, and education about one of the most critical issues facing our community. We invite you to please consider supporting the Santa Barbara community and the work we do by sponsoring or attending this event.  For more information about sponsorship, p[lease visit our website at https://sbnbcc.org/benefit-september-2022/

You’re seven years old. Mum’s in hospital. Dad says she’s ‘done something stupid’. She finds it hard to be happy. You start a list of everything that’s brilliant about the world. Everything worth living for. You leave it on her pillow. You know she’s read it because she’s corrected your spelling.
In Every Brilliant Thing, a young boy attempts to ease his mother's depression by creating a list of all the best things in the world. Everything worth living for. Through adulthood, as the list grows, he learns the deep significance it has on his own life.  Every Brilliant Thing is a play about depression and the lengths we will go for those we love.

Times & Prices:

$99 Preview Friday, September 23 at 7:00 pm reception to follow.
$149 Saturday, September 24 at 7:30 pm reception to follow.
$99 Sunday, September 25 at 3:00 pm reception beforehand at 2:00 pm.

**All sales are final! No refunds or exchanges.**

All seating is general admission unless otherwise noted. For all performances, there is no late seating once the performance begins. Please plan your arrival time accordingly.

There are no social distancing requirements in place for seating. There are no vaccine or testing requirements at this time. Masks are encouraged, but not required. We are continuing our mitigation efforts. The HVAC system for the theater is set to bring in 100% fresh air, we are using CDC-recommended MERV-13 filters, the air is turned over 7.35 times an hour, and we also have portable HEPA air purifiers, and our generous use of hand sanitizer.  (thank you to the Santa Barbara Foundation!) All of our staff are fully vaccinated, and performers are either vaccinated or tested negative before performing.

You can use either e-tickets, print-at-home tickets, or request Will Call tickets to be waiting for you at the Box Office. If you have any questions, please email Executive Director Teri Ball at [email protected].

Thank you to everyone in the community who supported us through this prolonged intermission. We would not still be here without your support.