Dear Iza,
I don’t know what came to your mind when – in the middle of nowhere, amidst all the offers to go back to television via a soap opera, you told me that, you’d rather do a play first. Of course my face lit. Why? Because unlike most artists who would really prioritize a regular and steady teleserye income, you opted to go the other direction, as truly, the theater bug bit you!
“Tiny Beautiful Things: A Play About Life — In Letters” is truly special. On the heels of two successful runs of the musicals “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” and “Little Shop of Horrors,” Sandbox Collective through our common friend Toff de Venecia will cap off its 10th anniversary season with this straight play. The bestselling book-turned-play-turned-TV show was first published in 2012 by Cheryl Strayed. Based on her experiences as an anonymous advice columnist, the play is told in epistolary form, with a revolving door of Letter Writers appearing onstage and asking Sugar for advice on life. Featuring real letters from real people, “Tiny Beautiful Things” highlights the common threads between our experience as humans – something you have always wanted to deal with.
I saw that excitement in you when you were able to meet online Antonia Eugenia Vardalos, the Canadian actress and screenwriter. who starred in and wrote the romantic comedy film “My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002),” which garnered her nominations for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical and went on to spawn a media franchise. Instantly, Vardalos became a career peg, someone you would want to be.
In less than a month, you will be making your straight play debut. You will be stepping into the role of Sugar in an unfamiliar territory but bravely, you are exploring and learning to adapt to. For a career spanning over two decades, with standout performances in acclaimed projects such as “Sigaw,” “Milan,” “Starting Over Again” and “Bliss,” plus the fantasy series “Encantadia” and “Ang Sa ‘Yo Ay Akin,” this I can say is another career high. Beginning in 2002, your versatility has made you a prominent and important actress in Philippine entertainment and society.
You are working with the best people in “Tiny Beautiful Things”; you will be directed by someone you look up to and respect – Jenny Jamora. Joining her 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 the production team 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.
Joining you in the cast are Rody Vera, Gabby Padilla and Ketchup Eusebio as the letter writers. Rounding out the cast are Gawad Buhay awardees Regina De Vera and Brian Sy (swing/letter writer at certain performances). Rody Vera, of course, is a multi-awarded playwright, screenwriter, actor, and singer. A pillar of the Philippine theatrical scene, Palanca hall of famer and Gawad Buhay awardee, Rody has been in several shows including “Otelo,” “Rak of Aegis,” and most recently, “Old Gaze.” He is a seasoned actor, also appearing in films such as “Sister Stella L” (Mike De Leon, 1984) and “Ora Pro Nobis” (Lino Brocka, 1989). He is our future National Artist.
Last seen in “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change,” Gabby Padilla 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 Eusebio 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 Sy 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).
An actress and a director, Regina De Vera received her MFA in Acting at The Juilliard School in 2019. She was a resident actor of 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 made her directorial debut in the Philippines at the 17th Virgin Labfest Festival (2022). De Vera most recently appeared in Harold Pinter’s “Betrayal.”
Given all the support, “Tiny Beautiful Things” do not look tiny at all. The play 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 p.m., while Saturday and Sunday shows will run at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
It is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. 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.
Tickets are available at Ticket2Me (bit.ly/tinybeautifulmnl) and through the official show buyers.
I can’t help but beam with pride as your talent manager, your ninong and your dearest friend and family member. This is truly another major achievement for you that will surely make your parents up there proud of their unica hija, who is now fulfilling many roles: a loving wife, a doting mother, an award-winning actress, an industry leader and now, a respected theater thespian.
Break a leg and take a bow, Izadora!
All the best, Noel
