The Sandbox Collective closes its 10th anniversary season this November to December 2024 with “Tiny Beautiful Things,” an innovative play that blurs the line between fiction and nonfiction through epistolary tales.
Since its establishment in 2014, Manila-based theater company The Sandbox Collective has been dedicated to producing groundbreaking theatrical works with intriguing concepts. Tiny Beautiful Things—the closing production of their 10th anniversary season this 2024—promises to be no exception with a compelling story that revolves around letter writing or epistolary works, straddling the line between fiction and nonfiction.
Its plot is based on award-winning writer Cheryl Strayed’s stint as anonymous advice columnist “Sugar” for The Rumpus, which she recorded in a hit book that compiled her best pieces, Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice from Dear Sugar.
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Inside A Tiny Beautiful World
The upcoming play’s director Jenny Jamora sought to create a set that was at once nebulous and familiar, while never straying from the physical constraints of Sugar’s apartment, noting the collaborative journey both the actors and the artistic team have taken to create the world of Tiny Beautiful Things.
“How much Sugar shares of herself is reflected in how she and the letter writers share the physical space,” she shares. “The space is physically the same, but toward the end of the play the way they use it should also reflect the community this group of people has become.”
The play is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. Strayed’s book was adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos, and was co-conceived by Marshall Heyman, Thomas Kail, and Nia Vardalos.
The Columnist And Her Letter Writers
Tiny Beautiful Things will feature Iza Calzado in the role of Sugar. She will be joined by three other cast members who will portray a revolving door of letter writers, all seeking advice from Calzado’s character. Although the letter writers maintain anonymity by using code names, their stories reflect the wide human experience—with all its highs and lows—and will likely strike a familiar chord with the audience.
Joining Calzado are actors Rody Vera, Gabby Padilla, and Ketchup Eusebio, the three letter writers. Rounding out the cast are Gawad Buhay awardees Regina De Vera and Brian Sy (swing/letter writer at certain performances).
Joining director Jamora in the artistic team are Marcel David 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.
Leading the production team is Toff De Venecia as managing artistic director, alongside Anna Santamaria as finance and operations director; Sab Jose as marketing and PR director; and Maine Manalansan as design director. Joining them are Charyl De Guzman as production manager; Pachot Festejo as head stage manager; Loreta Arroyo as marketing and PR manager; and Marielle Filoteo as social media manager.
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.
Photos courtesy of The Sandbox Collective.
