My Own Take: Daniel Radcliffe in 'Every Brilliant Thing' on Broadway

The show: ‘Every Brilliant Thing’ by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe at Broadway’s Hudson Theatre in New York City.

What makes it special?: Daniel Radcliffe. After his now many stage roles — the last being his Tony Award-winning performance in the Broadway musical revival of “Merrily We Roll Along” — the actor (who first gained fame as a boy in the original “Harry Potter” films) decided to take a break from Broadway. Then this script came along. And now he’s back for a limited run in a powerfully engaging, love-fest of a show

What’s so special about the script?: The solo show has been a hit since it premiered in the UK in 2013 and has been produced in more than 80 countries and more than 40 languages. It first appeared in New York City 10 years ago off-Broadway. It’s been performed by a wide variety of actors including Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Sue Perkins and Minnie Driver. It’s also interactive.

Uh-oh: Not to worry. It’s all voluntary and set up before the show even begins with with dozens of numbered cards being handed out to agreeable folks (by Radcliffe personally) who are asked to merely shout out what’s on their card when he cries out their number during the course of the show.

A few folks on stage — people are also seated on three sides on the stage on rafters, as well as in their orchestra and balconies seats — are asked to participate a little more than the shout-outs — and a few quite significantly. These folks stand in for people in the life of the character on stage in which Radcliffe is portraying.

Who is that character?: Radcliffe plays a young man from the age of about 7 on to adulthood who is grappling with a mother who has done, as his father says, “something stupid.” It becomes clear there’s been a suicide attempt, and then another, caused by the mother’s severe depression.

That sounds depressing: But here’s the upbeat take — and the thrust of the show: To lift his mother’s spirits, the boy starts writing numbered notes for her listings of all the things in the world worth living for (hence the title) such as ice cream, waffles, hammocks, the color yellow, falling in love, water fights, the smell of old books are many many more.

Does it work?: Mental health issues don’t have easy answers nor quick cures. But Radcliffe’s unnamed , hopeful character continues the listing practice as he grows older with these “brilliant things” becoming more nuanced and special. He continues the list — eventually hitting one million — through school, college and beyond, often recreating scenes (some with a bit of improvisation) with a few members of the audience.

So a lot depends on the selection of these handpicked of folks and, of course, Radcliffe’s quick-witted improvisatory skills (though the structure is well-scripted). The scenes depict critical moments on his character’s life as he grows up continually worried about his mother: They include exchanges his with taciturn father, a supportive teacher, his sympathetic lover. Throughout he sprinkles the monologue with the shout-outs for these brilliant things and actions that make life worth living.

Sounds like it could be tiresome — or worse, cheesy: It sometimes veers in that direction and it might have worked better in a smaller space where the audience could feel a greater sense of intimacy than in this nearly 1,000-seat theater. But still, there are moving moments that sneak up on you, especially when we witness what depression can do to various members of a family, how it heightens anxiety and what shows the measures one takes to cope, to escape, to connect, to grieve and to self help.

The writing is somewhat on-the-nose, and the feel-good gimmick does become wearisome with some of these shoutouts difficult to hear because of the size of the house or the limited lung power of an audience member. There’s also one celebratory moment crafted as a ‘spontaneous’ reaction that feels forced (at least in the performance I saw).

But the narrative takes an interesting, though not unexpected, turn in the last third of the roughly 80-minute show

What happens?: No spoilers here but it comes as no surprise. But is also eventually comes with some self-help advice and some didactic writing that takes one out of the world of the play. But one other thing makes is all OK — and did I mention it was about 80 minutes?

And what’s that?: Radcliffe. He brings his charisma, talent, charm, comic skills, and incredible energy to the role.

Radciffe is such an inviting presence and makes the show — despite its serious theme — joyous. The character could easily get gooey. But Radcliffe has just the right touch. He brings an instant likability to the character and the audience is on his side from the very start of the show (actually even before the show as he zips about finding audience members for the shout-out tasks. Who can say no?)

The audience members are rooting for him from the get-go as Radcliffe tales on this solo endeavor and its risky challenges. Because the audience members have known Radcliffe — now 36 — from the “Harry Potter” series from a very young age, they have watched him grow and develop and shine as a kid, through his adolescence, to young adulthood, much like this play’s character’s journey — and in doing so making it all the more relatable. The line between the character and Radcliffe is thin for the audience’s perspective which makes it all the more compelling and personal.

Who will like it?: Radcliffe fans. Those who like intimate or improvisatory solo shows. People who relate to the issues of mental health. Folks who need a lift.

Who won’t?: Those who are solo-show adverse. People who find talk about mental health issues uncomfortable or triggering. Lord Voldemort.

For the kids?: Teens — and even some well-adjusted younger kids, would identify with this young character’s journey.

Looking into the future?: Radcliffe is only committed to do the show through May 24. (He’s in a new television series). But if it’s a hit, I assume — like other productions — different “name” performers could take over the challenging assignment.

Thoughts on leaving the parking lot?: Radcliffe’s character is funny, warm, caring and a bundle of energy, often manic energy, which brought to my mind another charismatic and gifted actor who masked his struggles with his own mental health issues: Robin Williams. A bit of Williams’ spirit haunts the show, at least indirectly, at least for me.

Info: Hudson Theatre, 141 W 44th St.; Through May 24; Everybrilliantthing.com