Immerse yourself in ‘Every Brilliant Thing’ by Hilton Head’s Lean Ensemble Theater

Immersive experience is the perception of being in one place when you are actually in another ... essentially the suspension of reality, even if just for a few moments. People always want the most immersive experience possible, especially when it comes to entertainment.

We have that now in Lean Ensemble Theater’s production of “Every Brilliant Thing” at SoundWaves on Hilton Head Island.

Clusters of the crowd of 99 who came to take it in well in advance of the 7:30 start time spoke excitedly as they moved toward friends, surveyed possible seating and positioning, and started toward a perfect location.

Periodically, a young man, Matt Munday, gracious and energetic, known to some, would approach individuals, engage them in brief conversation, and in some cases, offer a note, and on it, printed on colored paper, was a number and brief word or phrase.

There were no seat nor row numbers, no stage actually, and certainly no curtain. This was not even theater in the round. Exactly, or accurately, it was theater in the rectangle. A double row of seats, one down, one up, framed the action area, and kind of randomly, in close to the center of that area, was a suggestion of a set — a single, aimless platform. Sightline was not an issue.

Excited conversations continued, and then, for some reason, is intent on a new direction, reminding me of watching a cluster of birds that suddenly breaks from an earlier, loosely formed pattern and quickly moves toward a serious, almost geometric formation.

You’ll be surprised when I tell you that when everyone was seated, conversation halted and all eyes were on the young man, who had moved, earlier, so graciously, but intently and with purpose, among all of us.

In moments, the sound of his voice, the words that he spoke, his posture and his careful regard for his audience, captured all of us. We knew he had something to say, to share with all of us, and we didn’t want to miss a syllable ... we were there to listen, to hear every word of this personal story, so direct and sincere.

By the way, I must tell you that his persuasive story moved from thoughtful and serious to riotously funny, and was punctuated by members of the audience, who were cued by Munday as he called a corresponding number.

Munday, that young man, is the lead, the only scripted actor, the accomplished narrator of this utterly captivating, thoroughly transporting, often comic story, this one-man show.

We, now in our seats, after just seconds took it all in and were completely absorbed and even hung on every word. We noted each step, every gesture, every time he combed through his errant hair with his fingers. He offered us an incredibly intelligent, ingenious performance filled to the brim with sincerity. We were all totally engaged in witnessing, in a way, his telling of his story, delivered masterfully. His storyline was a script, really, which offered a captivating plot, supported and framed by his list, his collection of Brilliant Things.

There is a leit motif that threads its way through this involving, even risible script, written expertly by Duncan MacMillan and Jonny Donahoe, and directed by Maegan McNerney Azar. It is one not often considered or contemplated in most settings. Mental health, generally, and depression, specifically, are often dealt with in metaphor and innuendo. More and more, however, as serious, often devastating, circumstances become the topics of daily news or personal experience, those facing a need for a response ... the hope for a solution ... often begin by remembering things they cannot do without.

Munday gathered and ordered his collections of things or experiences he valued, to provide him outward and visible reminders of what makes life worth living. The list became his focus and was certainly the origin of Munday’s “brilliant things” list.

Through the evening, Munday saw to every component necessary for the consummate delivery of this enormously intelligent, fascinating, story ... this masterfully presented, immersive theater experience.

If you go

What: “Every Brilliant Thing”

Where: SoundWaves, 7 Lagoon Road, Hilton Head Island.

When: Dec. 12-14 and Dec. 19-21, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 15 and Dec. 22, 2 p.m.

Extra: A “Talk Back” will be offered after each performance with Matt Munday and members of NAMI.

Information: 843-715-6676; LeanEnsemble.org

This story was originally published December 14, 2019 at 5:30 AM.