Daniel Radcliffe-Led EVERY BRILLIANT THING to Begin Broadway Performances Earlier than Expected

Tony Award-winning actor Daniel Radcliffe is set to return to Broadway in a major way this autumn with the beloved solo play EVERY BRILLIANT THING, and audiences will be able to see him in the production sooner than originally scheduled. The Broadway engagement at New York’s Hudson Theatre has added an extra matinee and brought forward the first preview performance, reflecting strong demand and growing enthusiasm for the show before its official opening night.

The production, written by British playwright Duncan Macmillan with co-creator and performer Jonny Donahoe, reimagines the stage as a space of honesty, joy and deep emotional resonance. The play’s first preview was due to begin in the evening on February 21, 2026, but now Radcliffe and the company will kick off with an afternoon performance, giving audiences an earlier opportunity to experience this heartfelt work. Ticket holders with evening seats on that day have been offered the chance to switch to the new matinee or retain their original performance times.

EVERY BRILLIANT THING marks a significant moment in the show’s long life. The piece first premiered at the Ludlow Fringe Festival in England in 2013 before travelling to Off-Broadway’s Barrow Street Theatre in 2014. That Off-Broadway run, performed by Jonny Donahoe, was filmed and later shown on HBO, introducing many theatre lovers to the story. Since then it has become an international phenomenon, played in more than 80 countries and resonating with audiences from London’s West End to regional stages around the world.

In EVERY BRILLIANT THING a nameless narrator looks back over life in a series of interconnected moments that speak to resilience, love and the myriad joys that make life worth living. The story begins when, as a young child, the narrator tries to cheer up a depressed mother by making a list of all the things that make the world brilliant. Ice-cream, the colour yellow, tree-climbing and so many more entries follow on that original list as the narrator grows and the audience becomes a part of the performance itself. The show’s inventive structure invites volunteers from the audience to read aloud items on the list and even participate in segments of the play, making each performance unique and deeply personal.

Radcliffe’s attachment to EVERY BRILLIANT THING comes on the heels of his hugely successful run in the Stephen Sondheim musical MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG at the Hudson Theatre, a performance that earned him a Tony Award. This new role sees him alone on stage, drawing on his considerable range to carry the emotional breadth of the piece from humour to heartbreak and back again. Radcliffe brings a rare combination of intensity, warmth and theatrical instinct to a show that demands both vulnerability and spontaneity from its central performer.

The Broadway premiere of EVERY BRILLIANT THING is directed by Jeremy Herrin, known for his work in both theatre and television, alongside Macmillan. The creative team also includes acclaimed designers whose work will shape the play’s intimate yet dynamic staging at the Hudson. Scenic and costume design is by Vicki Mortimer, while lighting design is by Jack Knowles and sound design is by Tom Gibbons, all contributing to an environment that supports the play’s blend of direct audience engagement and theatrical storytelling.

While the narrative springs from the specific experience of a young person grappling with family crisis and emotional turmoil, its themes are universal. The show explores mental health with empathy and nuance, prompting laughter, tears and reflection in equal measure. Though unflinching in its honesty about sadness and struggle, EVERY BRILLIANT THING ultimately celebrates connection, wonder and the reasons we find to keep going, a message that has struck a chord with audiences around the globe.

The Broadway engagement is a limited 13-week season, with performances now beginning on February 21, 2026 and the official opening scheduled for March 12, 2026. The run is set to continue through May 24 of the same year, giving New York audiences and visitors alike the chance to catch Radcliffe in this remarkable role. Tickets are already on sale, reflecting high interest from international visitors and Broadway regulars alike.

For fans of the play and of Radcliffe’s work, this Broadway premiere represents a convergence of two powerful theatrical forces. EVERY BRILLIANT THING has always been a piece that thrives on the energy shared between performer and audience, and its arrival on Broadway with one of the stage’s most compelling talents promises an experience that is both moving and unforgettable.

As anticipation builds, theatregoers are encouraged to secure seats early, with the added matinee helping broaden access for those keen to see this celebrated production.

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