“Law and Order: Special Victims Unit” actress Mariska Hargitay was in Palo Alto over the weekend to appear in a benefit presentation of solo show “Every Brilliant Thing,” which she recently performed on Broadway. She’s seen here with her half-sisters Pietra Sardelli, left, and Giovanna Sardelli. Photo by Tasi Alabastro.
Proceeds benefited TheatreWorks and the Joyful Heart Foundation, which has a local San Francisco Bay Area Committee. Joyful Heart Foundation is an organization founded by Hargitay that supports survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse. Her appearance is part of the kickoff to the TheatreWorks Silicon Valley annual New Works Festival at Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto.
TheatreWorks’ 2026 New Works Festival continues at Lucie Stern with special events and readings of new plays and musicals. The festival includes “Vienna,” a new musical from “Come From Away” composers Irene Sankoff and David Hein, who are also performing a benefit engagement of “Cut From Away,” with songs and stories from the musical of the same name.
