Actress Mariska Hargitay ended her Broadway run in the solo play "Every Brilliant Thing" on Sunday, July 5, 2026.
She is scheduled to open the 23rd annual New Works Festival in Palo Alto on August 7, 2026.
>>> Telus Appoints Gopi Chande as CFO Amid International AI Expansion
Surprise Onstage Cameo
Hargitay's final New York performance featured a surprise onstage cameo by her husband, Peter Hermann.
He filled the improvisational audience role of the protagonist's partner, Sam, culminating in a mock marriage proposal.
Hargitay described the unexpected interaction in a video shared on the production's social media. "I showed Sam, this is where I used to walk Groucho Barx.
And I thought that Sam had stopped to tie his shoe," she said.
The performance marked the end of her run after succeeding Daniel Radcliffe in the role in May. "And I said, 'Yes!
Let's kiss now,'" Hargitay added.
Reflections on the Challenge
Hargitay later reflected on the challenges of stepping onto the Broadway stage for this immersive production. "I am comfortable at 'SVU,'" she said on the "Making Space" podcast.
She elaborated on the lack of familiarity transitioning from television to live solo theater. "Are there days that are very challenging and scenes that are challenging.
Yes. Am I always trying to get better?
Yes.
But I have been doing it for a long time, and there is a certain amount of expertise.
>>> Hamas Dissolves Gaza Governing Body to Allow Technocratic Civilian Rule
With this play, there wasn't that expertise. I'm a novice, and I'm going into this new.
