Tiny Beautiful Things has arrived on the Philippine stage as part of The Sandbox Collective’s 10th anniversary season, with Iza Calzado taking on the role of Sugar, an anonymous advice columnist whose deeply personal letters explore the complexities of love, loss, and life’s challenges.
But while the play may be a new tale on the Philippine stage, its stories are familiar and rooted in reality. The play traces its roots to author Cheryl Strayed’s writings as the anonymous advice columnist for “Dear Sugar,” a column she wrote for the online literary magazine The Rumpus.
The Real-Life Story Behind "Tiny Beautiful Things"
In 2010, Cheryl Strayed took over the "Dear Sugar" column for The Rumpus, following its founding writer, Steve Almond. Instead of providing straightforward advice, Cheryl responded with long-form, thoughtful essays that often drew from her own life experiences. These responses, laced with vulnerability and compassion, resonated with readers, as they offered not just advice but reflections on what it means to be human.
In Tiny Beautiful Things, the author’s advice addresses complex emotional landscapes, much of it grounded in her own life experiences—particularly the challenges of overcoming personal struggles. Cheryl’s financial difficulties, marriage at a young age, and the loss of her mother are just a few of the personal topics that weave through her writing.
The book led to a stage adaptation in 2016, conceived by My Big Fat Greek Wedding actress and writer Nia Vardalos, alongside director Thomas Kail and writer Marshall Heyman. Premiering at The Public Theater in New York City, the stage adaptation starred Nia as Sugar and enjoyed a sold-out run.
Fast forward to 2023, and Tiny Beautiful Things was adapted once again, this time into a Hulu series starring Kathryn Hahn. Developed by Reese Witherspoon’s production company, Hello Sunshine, the series follows Clare, a woman who, much like Cheryl, takes over the “Dear Sugar” advice column at a time of personal crisis. While the series reimagines some aspects of Cheryl’s life, it continues to center around the same themes of love, loss, and human connection that made the original column and the book so memorable.
The Philippine Staging of "Tiny Beautiful Things"
Now, Tiny Beautiful Things is being staged in the Philippines as part of The Sandbox Collective’s 10th anniversary season. The production, which runs from November 16 to December 8, 2024, features Iza Calzado in her first-ever straight play, portraying the character of Sugar. Directed by Gawad Buhay awardee Jenny Jamora, the adaptation also stars Ketchup Eusebio, Gabby Padilla, Brian Sy, Rody Vera, and Regina De Vera, who portray various letter writers seeking advice.
In a report by ABS-CBN, Iza also highlighted the universal themes explored in the play. “It's a very important theme that we tackle here which is loss, love, loss again, grief… And that's part of life. And that's why I think it's important because it can be a tool for healing.”
Where to Watch the Philippine Staging of "Tiny Beautiful Things"
Tiny Beautiful Things is staged at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Black Box Theater in Circuit Makati from November 16 to December 8, 2024. Performances are scheduled on Fridays at 8 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are available for purchase through Ticket2Me, with regular seating priced at P2,500 and premium seats at P2,700.
For inquiries, contact The Sandbox Collective via email at info@thesandboxco.com or by phone at +63 917 152 5560.
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