Daniel Radcliffe’s ‘Every Brilliant Thing’ nets $5.75m on Broadway investment

Every Brilliant Thing, featuring Daniel Radcliffe, has successfully made back all its production expenses just 10 weeks after starting its run on Broadway. The show had a budget of $5.75 million.

The production received two Tony Award nominations on Tuesday: one for best revival of a play and another for Radcliffe's performance as lead actor in a play.

Thanks to Radcliffe's popularity and the engaging format of the show, “Every Brilliant Thing” has become one of the most sought-after tickets and a top earner this season on Broadway. 

Only two other productions, “Waiting for Gadot” featuring Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter, and “Art” with Neil Patrick Harris, Bobby Cannavale, and James Corden, have also recouped so far this season.

Penned by playwright Duncan Macmillan alongside British comedian Jonny Donahoe, “Every Brilliant Thing” had its initial debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and has played in London and Off Broadway since 2014, eventually reaching over 80 countries. 

The story revolves around a man who compiles a list of “brilliant things”—all the joys, large and small, that life offers—in an effort to uplift his depressed mother.

Although it's advertised as a solo performance, “Every Brilliant Thing” invites audience involvement, though participation doesn’t require anyone to speak. Radcliffe actually spends about half an hour before each show engaging with guests to see who wishes to participate.

“Every Brilliant Thing” started with preview performances on February 21, officially opened on March 12 at the Hudson Theatre, and is set to continue until June 28.

After Radcliffe exits the role on May 24, “Law & Order: SVU” actress Mariska Hargitay will step into the role.

According to Variety's review, critic Aramide Tinubu commended Radcliffe’s portrayal as "lively, genuine, and heartfelt from beginning to end." She noted, "It is apparent that the actor known for ‘Merrily We Roll Along’ and ‘Harry Potter’ holds the play and its messages in high regard, ensuring that the mood never becomes overly light nor does it plunge the audience into utter gloom."