MANILA, PHILIPPINES — This November, The Sandbox Collective is staging TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS: A Play About Life — In Letters for its Philippine premiere. The play is based on the book-turned-play-turned-limited TV series. It features true stories and actual letters.
Written by acclaimed author Cheryl Strayed (bestselling author of Wild) and adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise), the straight play chronicles Cheryl’s journey as Sugar, an anonymous advice columnist whose radical empathy won the hearts of many readers.
TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS will feature Iza Calzado in the role of Sugar. She will be joined by three other cast members who will lend epistolary voices to the letter writers. Rody Vera, Gabby Padilla and Ketchup Eusebio are joining her as the letter writers. Gawad Buhay awardees Regina De Vera and Brian Sy (swing/letter writer at certain performances) are rounding out the cast. Rody is a multi-awarded playwright, screenwriter, actor, and singer. A pillar of the Philippine theatrical scene, Palanca Hall of Famer and Gawad Buhay awardee, he has been in several shows, including Otelo, Rak of Aegis, and most recently Old Gaze. Rody is a seasoned actor, appearing in films such as Sister Stella L (Mike De Leon, 1984) and Ora Pro Nobis (Lino Brocka, 1989).
Last seen in I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Gabby is a theater, film, and TV actress. She has appeared in TV shows and films such as Billie & Emma (2019), Dead Kids (2019), Eerie (2019), and Kono Basho (2024) which earned her the Best Actress Award at Cinemalaya 2024.
Making his return to the stage, Ketchup is an actor and comedian with a career spanning over two decades. He has appeared in films and TV shows, including Ang Tanging Ina films (2003), Maalaala Mo Kaya anthologies (2006), Heneral Luna (2016), and Un/Happy For You (2024).
Most recently seen in Mula Sa Buwan, Brian is a sought-after theater, TV, and film actor. He has appeared in various productions, including his award-winning turn in Coriolano and The Sandbox Collective’s Lungs. Brian has also appeared in films and TV shows, including GomBurZa (2023) and the Philippine adaptation of What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim (2024).
As an actress and director, Regina received her MFA in Acting at The Juilliard School in 2019. She 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 (The Old Globe, 2019) and her directorial debut in the Philippines at the 17th Virgin Labfest Festival (2022). She most recently appeared in Harold Pinter’s Betrayal.
At the helm of the production is Gawad Buhay awardee Jenny Jamora, who will be directing the show. Joining her in the artistic team are assistant director Marcel David, set designer Kayla Teodoro, lighting and technical director Kiefer Sison, sound designer Arvy Dimaculangan, costume stylist Krystal Kane, and photographer JV Rabano.
Toff De Venecia, Managing Artistic Director, is leading 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 join the production team.
TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French. The play is based on the book by Cheryl Strayed, adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos, and was co-conceived by Marshall Heyman, Thomas Kail, and Nia Vardalos.
TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS will run from November 16 to December 08 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. Special thanks to major sponsors MAC Cosmetics, official makeup partner; Privato Hotel, official hotel partner; Pitchworks, official billboard partner. Tickets are available at Ticket2Me and through official show buyers.
