Tiny Beautiful Things as a 'Non-Prescriptive Map for Life'

The Sandbox Collective is set to premiere Tiny Beautiful Things, a poignant stage adaptation that delves into the intricacies of human connection and self-discovery. This production, based on Cheryl Strayed's acclaimed book and adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos, promises to be a transformative experience for theatergoers. With a narrative woven from heartfelt letters and real-life stories, the play is a testament to the power of vulnerability and empathy. It opens on November 16 at Power Mac Center Spotlight.

The narrative centers on Sugar (played by Iza Calzado), an anonymous advice columnist who, in responding to her readers’ most personal questions, draws from her own vulnerable, deeply emotional past. This advice, threaded with empathy and wisdom, becomes a mirror for healing—showing that life’s most painful experiences can also lead to self-discovery and growth. Joining her are Rody Vera, Gabby Padilla, Ketchup Eusebio, Brian Sy, and Regina de Vera, who are letter-writers. Directing the play is Jenny Jamora.

In a recent press conference at Privato Hotel Quezon City with the cast and creative team of the production, the heartfelt significance of Tiny Beautiful Things was unpacked, giving insight into why this piece holds such personal meaning for them.

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"I think the reason why we all agree that this is such an important piece and something that we needed to do and wanted to do is that the message of telling people to reach out, to get help, to work on their own trauma or challenges and to know that they can work through it is so important. Because especially in this time, after the pandemic, we've experienced so many losses, and patuloy pa rin, di ba? It's really life. We need to know that we are not alone in that journey, that we can talk to somebody, and that we can make sure there's that friend that we get to talk to and ask for advice from. And also that, I think it also explores that after being broken, you are always and will always be worthy of such tiny, beautiful things," Calzado kicked off the discussion.

De Vera hinted at the way the play offers guidance but without dictating specific outcomes or expectations. "Tiny Beautiful Things is like a non-prescriptive map for life," she said. This emphasizes how the play echoes the unpredictable ways life’s challenges unfold and how we each find our own paths through the wreckage.

Padilla saw the play as "an exercise in empathy," while Calzado said it is a "warm hug you need after a difficult time in your life." The production promises to deliver an emotional catharsis—a sense of closure and peace for anyone who has experienced hardship and is seeking to move forward.

"Tiny Beautiful Things is getting real with oneself and being able to show your real self to someone else and just to be with them. Sometimes, we feel like it's hard to be of comfort to somebody else because we don't feel worthy. We don't feel good enough or that we don't feel wise enough. But [once] you can admit that all the imperfections, we can just be real with each other. I think you can give each other a lot of comfort. There are a lot of shameful things in my life, things that I consider shameful from an outside, societal point of view. But I think Tiny Beautiful Things is being able to look at these things without shame and actually taking pride in the fact that these things have allowed you to grow as a person. And be a good ear, a listener to somebody else going through the same process," answered Jamora when asked what for her is Tiny Beautiful Things, focusing on the relief of letting go of expectations, embracing one's scars, and creating space for healing.

This was echoed by Sy, who said that Tiny Beautiful Things is a "call to be brave in accepting all your scars and blemishes and knowing that they are beautiful nonetheless because that's what makes who you are. And there is nothing to be ashamed of. And there is courage in being scared." 

Finally, Calzado drew from the Japanese art of kintsugi—the process of mending broken ceramics with gold, making the cracks part of the object's history and beauty. "I think Tiny Beautiful Things is like kintsugi, where you are able to take the broken pieces of your life, and it calls for you to take those pieces to believe that you have gold in you, to make something even more beautiful after it’s supposed to be broken." This metaphor hopes to capture the spirit of the play, suggesting that our scars, mistakes, and difficult experiences are not to be hidden but embraced, as they form part of who we are and can lead us to a greater, more resilient version of ourselves.

Tiny Beautiful Things is the last show of The Sandbox Collective's celebratory 10th season that explores themes of coming of age and rediscovery, reflecting the company's own journey and evolution in the last decade. They've previously staged Little Shop of Horrors and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Tiny Beautiful Things runs from November 16 to December 8, 2024, at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Black Box Theater, Circuit Makati. Tickets are available through Ticket2Me.