It seems like a “2026 plot twist” came early for award-winning actress, performer, and entrepreneur Kakki Teodoro. On March 17, 2026, she received an unexpected shout-out from none other than her “ultimate childhood crush,” Harry Potter himself, Daniel Radcliffe.
In an interview with Playbill for his latest Broadway endeavor, Every Brilliant Thing, Radcliffe amusingly brought up Teodoro, who took part in the play during its runs in the Philippines back in 2019 and 2023.
Photo: Kakki Teodoro, Andy Henderson (via Every Brilliant Thing On Broadway)/Instagram
Every Brilliant Thing, written by Duncan Macmillan and Jonny Donahoe, tells the story of a man who looks back fondly on his life and helps his depressed mother by making a list of all the things that have helped him stay hopeful and see the bright side of every day. This year, Radcliffe is headlining the remarkable show for 13 weeks on Broadway.
When Playbill asked him about the valuable insights he had gained from learning his lines, Radcliffe gladly likened his experience to Teodoro’s, which he previously read about. Her unforgettable moments in the humorous production, helmed by The Sandbox Collective, encouraged him to take more risks and let his character be spontaneous when the moment called for it.
In 2020, Teodoro’s performance in Every Brilliant Thing won the prestigious Gawad Buhay Award for Female Lead Performance in a Play. Six years later, her remarkable feat has come full circle—reaching international levels with the help of a globally renowned actor, no less.
Cheers and Smiles All Around
View this post on Instagram
“After the initial shock and dropping my phone, I had to rush backstage to share the joy!” Teodoro wrote on Instagram. She watched the priceless moment unfold backstage alongside the cast of Barefoot Theatre Collaborative’s latest production, Anthropology.
“I did [Every Brilliant Thing] in 2019 and again in 2023, while Daniel recently opened this show on Broadway,” she added to her chaotic reaction video. He did this interview with Duncan Macmillan and his co-director, Jeremy Herrin. [Daniel] talked about me, and all the men I’ve kissed in the Philippines—with consent, let me be clear! What an honor to be part of this show’s history!”
Every Brilliant Thing in Manila truly was a core memory for Teodoro, whose character kissed more than five people in each iteration of the play.
An “Unbelievably Brilliant” Win, Indeed
View this post on Instagram
A win for Teodoro is also a win for Philippine theatre, which continues to thrive as a collaborative space for purposeful storytelling. Her once-in-a-lifetime shout-out even received ample support from numerous revered artists, including Stell Ajero of SB19, Lea Salonga, Nic Chien, Eugene Domingo, Gab Pangilinan, Phi Palmos, and Jerald Napoles.
Teodoro also brought home a win for the certified “theatre kids” in 2024. She bagged the award for Best Supporting Actress at the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) for her outstanding performance in Pepe Diokno and Ricky Lee’s Isang Himala.
ALSO READ: LOOK: Andres Muhlach Takes On His Father’s Iconic Role in “Bagets The Musical”
What can you say about this unexpected theatre crossover? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
Do you have a story for the WhenInManila.com Team? Email us at wheninmanila@gmail.com or send us a direct message at WhenInManila.com’s Facebook Page. Interact with the team and join the WhenInManila.com community at WIM Squad, and join our Viber group to stay updated with the latest around the Philippines and beyond!
