Photo / The Sandbox Collective

Iza Calzado is returning to the theater stage for Tiny Beautiful Things, the bestselling book, play, and TV show first published by Cheryl Strayed in 2012.

The book is a compilation of questions from Strayed’s “Dear Sugar” advice column, which she answered anonymously. Its stage adaptation is laid out in epistolary form, with a revolving door of Letter Writers appearing onstage and asking Sugar for life advice. Featuring real letters from real people, Tiny Beautiful Things highlights the common threads between our experiences as humans.

Calzado will play Sugar, making her straight-play debut. Unlike musicals, straight plays use spoken dialogue to tell the story. Tiny Beautiful Things will also be Calzado’s second stage role following Sabel: Love and Passion in 2015.

Other theatre and film stars will join the actress:

Calzado will be joined by Rody Vera, Gabby Padilla, and Ketchup Eusebio as the letter writers. Gawad Buhay awardees Regina De Vera and Brian Sy (swing and letter writer at specific performances) are rounding out the cast.

Vera is a multi-awarded playwright, screenwriter, actor, and singer. He is regarded as a pillar of the Philippine theatrical scene, a Palanca Hall of Famer, and a Gawad Buhay awardee. Vera has appeared in several shows, including Otelo, Rak of Aegis, and, most recently, Old Gaze. He is a seasoned actor who has appeared in films such as Sister Stella L and Ora Pro Nobis.

Padilla is a theater, film, and TV actress last seen in I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. She has appeared in TV shows and movies such as Billie & Emma, Dead Kids, and Eerie. Her role in Kono Basho earned her the Best Actress Award at Cinemalaya 2024.

Eusebio, an actor and comedian with a career spanning over two decades, returns to the stage with Tiny Beautiful Things. He has appeared in films and TV shows, including the Ang Tanging Ina films, Maalaala Mo Kaya anthologies, Heneral Luna, and Un/Happy For You.

Sy, recently seen in Mula Sa Buwan, is a sought-after theatre, TV, and film actor. He has appeared in various productions, including his award-winning turn in Coriolano and Lungs. The actor also appeared in films and TV shows, such as GomBurZa and the Philippine adaptation of What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim.

De Vera received her MFA in Acting at the Juilliard School and was a resident actor at the Cultural Center of the Philippines for five years. She made her theatrical debut in the US with The Underpants and her directorial debut in the Philippines at the 17th Virgin Labfest Festival. The actress and director recently appeared in Betrayal.

Photo / The Sandbox Collective

Gawad Buhay awardee Jenny Jamora will direct Tiny Beautiful Things. Marcel David will join her as assistant director, Kayla Teodoro as set designer, Kiefer Sison as lighting and technical director, Arvy Dimaculangan as sound designer, Krystal Kane as costume stylist, and JV Rabano as photographer.

Toff De Venecia, managing artistic director, will lead the production team alongside Anna Santamaria, finance and operations director; Sab Jose, marketing and PR director; and Maine Manalansan, design director.

Charyl De Guzman, production manager; Pachot Festejo, head stage manager; Loreta Arroyo, marketing and PR manager; and Marielle Filoteo, social media manager, will also join the production team.

Tiny Beautiful Things will run from November 16 to December 8, 2024, at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Black Box Theater, Circuit Makati. Friday shows will begin at 8 PM, while Saturday and Sunday shows will run at 2:30 PM and 7:30 PM.

Tickets are available at Ticket2Me and through official show buyers.

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