‘Every Brilliant Thing’ at Curtain Call Theatre
LATHAM, N.Y. » Kevin Gardner, who stars in “Every Brilliant Thing” at Curtain Call Theatre in Latham, explains that the “things” in the title can be any of the things that make life worth living. They can be a profound thought or a simple, guilty pleasure. He rattles off a few: vanilla ice cream, water fights, bubble wrap or even the alphabet.
One thing he says would not be on his list is interactive theater. Yet here he is – the only actor in the interactive theater piece that opens Friday night and plays through November 17.
However, he is reluctant to call the piece interactive or even refer to it as a oneperson show. “I think of it as a shared communal experience within a theatrical setting. The audience and I take a journey together. To me, it’s a really fun time and I get to lead the party.”
He goes on to explain, the 70-minute piece had its origins as a book written by Duncan Macmillian. As a seven-year-old Macmillian started listing happy thing he could think of to help his depressed mother avoid committing suicide. As he grew up, his list became beneficial to his own well-being. “Who in life doesn’t go through depressing periods?” Gardner asks.
Gardner insists that “Brilliant Thing” is a remarkably warm, funny and even a joyous experience. He sounded in awe of the complete list. “It includes almost a million things. Just think of it – a million reasons to enjoy being alive.”
The positive nature of the material is contagious. “Even in rehearsal there is a lot of bonding that takes place,” he says. Additionally, because the audience is an essential part of the experience, he has been rehearsing nightly with a number of invited guests. “It’s great feedback and I cannot believe the communal feelings that happen. People happily respond to the experience and the situation.”
He is emphatic about participation is purely voluntary. “We are not in the business of terrorizing the audience,” he says, adding that some screening takes place. When they enter the house, every member of the audience is given a card with an item and a number. When he calls the number the audience member responds with the brilliant thing written on the card.
As for the improvisational onstage parts some people are asked to play, Gardner is sensitive to people when they talk with him before the show. “I kind of feel people out to see if they would enjoy participating. You just get an instinct about them,” he says.
The actor thinks a lot of the reason people feel comfortable with the material is that Macmillian found a standup comic to work with him to develop the material for the stage. That British comic, Jonny Donahoe did the role when it played in New York City and was taped for a Netflix special. “It’s a very funny play,” says the actor.
Gardner was so taken by the material and the challenge of making the experience so intimate, he came back to the area from California just to play it at Curtain Call.
Originally from the area, as a young man, Gardner went to California to forge an acting career. After graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, he spent almost 10 years of modest success in film and television. At some point, he realized he was not ready to make the commitment necessary to have a career in entertainment and returned back home to East Greenbush.
He spent the next eight years making a local name for himself as one of the premiere talents in the area. He performed at Curtain Call, Capital Rep and on other area stages. In 2015, he decided, now in his mid-forties, that he was ready to do the work necessary to make it in a major market and returned to California.
“Things have changed so much,” he says. “Both in the industry and with me.” He says a sense of confidence and an added maturity offered him insight on how to build a career. “I’ve taken the time to build a foundation. I now realize it is a business and you have to approach it with a plan. It’s paying off,” he said, naming several major television shows on which he’s recently appeared.
Why interrupt what is working to do a play in Latham? “It’s a risky role for me and a great opportunity to grow as an actor and a person. It’s the perfect role for me at this point in my life.”
In other words, it’s one of those brilliant things that make life worth living. “Every Brilliant Thing” at Curtain Call Theatre, 1 Jeanne Jugan Lane, Latham. For schedule and ticket information call 518-877-7529 or go to curtaincalltheatre.com