Tracee Ellis Ross Makes Broadway Debut in “Every Brilliant Thing”

Tracee Ellis Ross has begun to appreciate the minor joys in life, like the click of a curling iron or the taste of olives. This aligns with her current role as she makes her Broadway debut in “Every Brilliant Thing.” The play offers an uplifting experience, exploring the complexities of depression.

The story involves a narrator who compiles a list of things to show their depressed mother that life is worthwhile. Items on the list include ducklings, spaghetti Bolognese, and dancing in public. Number 999,996 on the list is described as “Peeling off a sheet of wallpaper in one intact piece.” Ross notes that participating in the play encourages noticing overlooked aspects of life, altering one’s perception of the world.

Ross follows in the footsteps of Daniel Radcliffe and Mariska Hargitay in this solo performance. The audience participates by reading list items or engaging in simple activities like pretending to drive a car or crafting a sock puppet. Ross selects and encourages audience members to join her on stage, valuing both enthusiasm and initial reluctance.

“It is a sense of being of service to the material and a little bit of reluctance is actually a special quality in the roles that we need to cast,” she says.

The play, written by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe, allows its narrator flexibility to ad-lib and customize the list of brilliant things based on personal experiences. Macmillan emphasizes the need for the list to resonate authentically with each performer.

The performance lasts 70 minutes, requiring Ross to memorize a 40-page monologue. During a brief rehearsal period, she mastered the act, integrating the text into her physical and emotional expressions. Ross views this role as a significant achievement on her bucket list.

Graduating from Brown University and studying at The William Esper Studio, Ross initially auditioned for various mediums. She gained recognition through roles in “black-ish” and “Girlfriends.” Broadway has always appealed to her, especially with a play that connects meaningfully with audiences while remaining hopeful.

Ross shares that she avoided watching previous performances of Radcliffe or Hargitay to maintain her unique interpretation. She reflects on one deeply personal brilliant thing: the silent understanding shared with her siblings during a familiar glance.