Chester Theatre, Chester, MA
through August 13, 2017
by Mary Fernandez-Sierra
Chester Theatre Company’s production of Every Brilliant
Thing deserves to be in a catalog of brilliant things itself… and at the top of
the list.
Beautifully crafted by director Daniel Elihu Kramer for
performance in the round, the play lends itself to the setting of Chester’s
intimate theatre. Each person in the audience can be touched by this engaging
story of a young man’s journey to define and share exactly what makes life
worth living.
Joel Ripka is brilliant himself as the narrator of the tale.
He gently pulls audience members into his world, having them play
improvisational roles in the story of his life, and in the creation of his
magnum opus: the list of every brilliant thing.
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| Photo by Elizabeth Solaka |
It is an unusual and delightful experience to attend this
play, as so many of the audience members add their own gifts to the
performance: simply reading a card with one of Ripka’s life-worthy items,
offering a pen or book to help him enhance the story, or perhaps enacting the
role of a teacher, girlfriend or even his dad.
Each performance is unique, truly created in tandem with
whoever happens to be at the theatre on any given night.
That the interactions happen so comfortably and naturally
are a testament to Ripka’s skill as an actor. This gentleman’s energy, subtlety
and sincerity – also his joy in working with audience – make this unusual show
happen. He beguiles theatregoers into participating in an effortless evening of
improvisation with him, as though he had a magic wand.
Beautiful music is woven into the story, kindness of Sound
Designer Tom Shread. A variety of jazz pieces reflect special moments in the
creation of the brilliant things list: one of the most amazing events in the
play happens when Ripka plays and
sings a Ray Charles number using a keyboard, with the assistance of two
audience volunteers.
Lighting Design by Lara Dubin is stellar as always,
incorporating the entire hall in this in-the-round production. Since the
leading man performs throughout the house, lighting is bright making it easy to
see all that happens, but soft enough to create a sense of encompassing warmth.
Chester Theatre has done it again…Every Brilliant Thing is a
show everyone should experience to wake up to a new way of thinking about
theatre, and to rise to life’s challenges through its uplifting and beautiful
message.
