The play Tiny Beautiful Things was based on the book of the same name by Cheryl Strayed and adapted by Nia Vardalos. The play follows Sugar, a writer turned advice columnist, and an ensemble of characters who write to her seeking help. As Sugar provides advice, she takes a more anecdotal approach, sharing her own experiences and using those stories to give others insight into how they should approach their lives. This goes against most advice columnists, who usually take an all-knowing approach, and this is why Sugar begins to gain a large following of readers. However, despite writing about and sharing many parts of her life (including some really dark details around her mental health and traumas), nobody knows who Sugar is. That anonymity is an important aspect that allows these writers and Sugar the freedom to share and discuss without judgment.

This show is important now because it relates to anonymity in social media and speaks on mental health through storytelling and relating with others, ultimately showcasing that no one is alone. While social media has become a place where one can use their name and full identity to find others or even as a source of work, there are still just as many if not more people using the platforms while remaining anonymous and finding communities through shared stories and interests. Tiny Beautiful Things has important commentary on group healing through shared experiences, even if you do not know the person you are talking to. It also explores mental health with self-healing by remembering and exploring your own trauma. Most of the time, Sugar is speaking to the ensemble of characters, but sometimes it feels like Sugar is mostly speaking out loud to herself. Just speaking your story and truth aloud can help you to process and start healing; sharing that story can help others know they are not alone and they also have a story to speak up about. This is why I want to do this show. I wish I had the courage to share my story and be vulnerable like Sugar, and I hope this show gives that courage to me and so many others.

Since Sugar’s advice works like a personal letter to one person that everyone can read, the intimacy between Sugar and the intended reader gets shared with a whole online audience. I would like to use this idea in the production, integrating letters and screens and very specific lighting. I would also choreograph as much as the show as possible to show Sugar being supported by the ensemble of Letter Writers, making them heavily movement based. While Sugar’s words are anecdotal and literal, the movement, set, and lighting would take a more poetic approach,

This production of the show is more intended for an 18 and up audience, given the subject matter. Also, utilizing a more diverse cast, I hope to invite more minority groups, specifically communities of color, as the concept of openly discussing mental health is an important issue within these communities. In order to help promote and give accessibility to these communities, I would be working with The Concept Theater Company in Los Angeles, a theatre production company led by a fellow UCI student, which I will also be using while working on Ride the Cyclone. Their mission is to create a space for emerging artists from all backgrounds, with an emphasis in  BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and feminist communities, works, and stories. The Concept Theater Company would help with obtaining a performance space and promoting ticket sales. For tickets, I hope to keep the cost fairly low, going for a ticket price of $5. I also plan on using the idea of “paying it forward” that was popular on social media a while ago. This could help give accessibility to people that cannot afford the tickets by allowing others to pre-purchase and donate tickets. I think this also gives an interesting marketing tactic with social media that we could use to promote the show, and we could  even open the “paying it forward” to online so others who cannot attend (because they are outside of the local communities and/or cannot travel)  can still participate in helping others attend, which would also play into the show’s themes  of kindness and sharing stories.

This production of the play Tiny Beautiful Things will be showing in season with a production of the musical Ride the Cyclone, as both shows handle themes of the importance of personal and shared experiences and also appreciating and enjoying life with those around you.