'Every Brilliant Thing'

Kids' Minds Matter, a Lee Health initiative focused on combating the nationwide children’s mental health epidemic, is sponsoring the play “Every Brilliant Thing,” running February 25 through March 29 at the Florida Repertory Theater. The play is a one-man show focusing on the struggles of growing up in a home broken by suicide and trying to cope with mental illness. Described as “striking a delicate balance between sobering loss and cathartic laughter,” the narrator, with help from the audience, builds a list of “brilliant things” that make life worth living. 

Through Kids' Minds Matter’s sponsorship, more than 1,200 students from 14 Lee County high schools will have the opportunity to experience the play. In addition to field trips, the play will also travel for a special performance at Bonita Springs High School. The Lee County School District is also providing support to help offset the cost of transportation. 

“We are very excited to provide an artistic, rather than clinical, experience for Lee County students to better understand how the issue of suicide is affecting millions of families around the world,” said Dr. Paul Simeone, vice president medical director of behavioral and mental health at Lee Health, in a news release. “This will likely be the first play many of these students have attended, and we are grateful to collaborate with Lee County Schools and the Florida Repertory Theater to help fulfill the Kids' Minds Matter goal of increasing mental health awareness in our community. 

The March 3, 10 and 25 performances will feature “talk-backs” after the show, in which the actor and mental health professionals, including Dr. Simeone, discuss the play with the audience. This provides a unique experience to look into the mind of the main character, and discuss ways to help people cope with the devastating costs of suicide. 

Evening shows are at 7 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Matinees are at 2 p.m. Thursdays, most Saturdays, and Sundays.