Skip to content
Stark Insider
  • Culture
  • Filmmaking/Tech
  • Atelier Stark Films
Theater and Stage

What’s Happening: ‘Every Brilliant Thing’ to open City Lights 40th season in San Jose

BY Monica Turner — 08.30.2022

Every Brilliant Thing - City Lights Theater - San Jose
Books play a significant role in City Lights' production of "Every Brilliant Thing," written by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe. In this bilingual (English/American Sign Language) production, Tasi Alabastro, right, reads as Dane K. Lentz signs "book." Photo by Christian Pizzirani.

City Lights Theater Company this week announced Every Brilliant Thing will open its 40th season on September 15, 2022.

From the San Jose non-profit’s announcement:

This British import is about a child who starts a list of everything brilliant in the world, everything worth living for, as his mother struggles with depression.

With humor, charm and wistfulness — and gently enlisting audience participation — Tasi Alabastro plays the child who grows into a man as the list takes on a life of its own. A City Lights favorite who was featured in Vietgone and The Merchant of Venice, Tasi will be joined by fellow actor Dane K. Lentz (Eurydice), who will sign along in American Sign Language to make this a bilingual production.

Organizers recommend those interested in the production check out the trailer for the HBO version of the play (see below)

WATCH: Every Brilliant Thing (HBO Documentary Films)

City Lights Executive Artistic Director Lisa Mallette, directing Every Brilliant Thing, says the play is a remarkable blend of tragedy and comedy — like life. “We are faced with an avalanche of mental-health issues that the pandemic has uncovered. One of the reasons why I love the play is it addresses that,” she said. “On the other hand, the focus is on a child, and then an adult, trying to concentrate on the things that make the world lovely, beautiful and worth living for.”

Every Brilliant Thing runs September 15 through October 15, 2022 at City Lights Theater Company in downtown San Jose, California. Tickets start at $26.

Lead Photo: Books play a significant role in City Lights’ production of “Every Brilliant Thing,” written by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe. In this bilingual (English/American Sign Language) production, Tasi Alabastro, right, reads as Dane K. Lentz signs “book.” Photo by Christian Pizzirani.

Related Stories

Four performers stand at microphones on a stage bathed in dramatic blue lighting during a Theatre Bay Area production

Theatre Bay Area Celebrates 50 Years of Arts Excellence

Theater and Stage
Here There Are Blueberries

What’s Happening: May 2025 Bay Area Arts & Culture Highlights

Theater and Stage
TheatreWorks Artistic Director Giovanna Sardelli announces Season 55 from the stage of Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts. Photo Credit: Jonathan Amores

'Little Women' leads TheatreWorks Silicon Valley 55th Season

News
San Francisco Playhouse will stage "Hairspray" July 10 - September 12, 2026 as part of its 2025-26 Season. Seen here is the company of the 2004 National Tour. Photo Credit: Chris Bennion

What’s Happening: San Francisco Playhouse unveils 2025-26 Season

Theater and Stage

More in Theater and Stage →

Monica Turner

Contributor to Stark Insider for tech, the arts and All Things West Coast for over 10 years.

Loni Stark - A West Coast Adventure - A Lifetime in the Making - Stark Insider

Stark Insider
  • CULTURE
  • BEST OF AI
  • FILMMAKING/TECH
  • ATELIER STARK FILMS
  • HUMANxAI SYMBIOSIS
THE STARK COLLECTIVE
  • THE STARK CO
  • STARK INSIDER
  • STARKMIND
  • ATELIER STARK
© Copyright 2005-2026 BLG Media LLC. v2.19.0
  • Review Policy and Shipping
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • About