- Based on the book by Cheryl Strayed
- Adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos
- Co-Conceived by Marshall Heyman, Thomas Kail and Nia Vardalos
- Directed by Ken-Matt Martin
Based on the best-selling book by Cheryl Strayed (Wild) and brilliantly adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos (“My Big Fat Greek Wedding”), Tiny Beautiful Things is a cathartic play about reaching when you’re stuck, healing when you’re broken, and finding comfort in shared humanity.
In this fantastical interpretation of Strayed’s real-life experience as online advice columnist “Sugar,” the lines between digital and real life are blurred as she contends with the demands of constant connectedness with her readers who are navigating grief, love, and forgiveness.
Tiny Beautiful Things is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
DOWNLOAD PROGRAM
Nia Vardalos, Playwright
Nia Vardalos wrote and starred in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, which earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay, a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, and an Independent Spirit Award and People’s Choice Award. Stage credits include originating the role of Sugar in The Public Theater’s Tiny Beautiful Things, directed by Thomas Kail, Jennie in Theatre20’s Company, directed by Gary Griffin, and writer and actor of twelve The Second City’s revues (Chicago’s Jeff Award winner, Best Actress). Writing and acting film and television credits include: Helicopter Mom; My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2; Larry Crowne; Connie and Carla; I Hate Valentine’s Day; My Life in Ruins; Jane the Virgin; Law and Order: SVU; and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Vardalos is the New York Times-bestselling author of Instant Mom, the story of adopting her daughter via foster care, and all proceeds are donated to adoption groups.
Ken-Matt Martin, Director
Ken-Matt Martin is a director and producer. His work as a director has been seen in theatres across the country including Rites and Reason Theatre, Pyramid Theatre Company, Brown/Trinity Rep, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Goodman Theatre and others. Selected directing credits include new plays, musicals, and classics such as Civil Sex, Mississippi Goddamn, Tripping Over Roots, Love’s Labour’s Lost, Prowess, Shakuntala, tick..tick..Boom, Fences, Queen of the Night and The Amen Corner. Ken-Matt co-founded Pyramid Theatre Company in Des Moines, IA where he served as Executive Director until 2018. Martin’s producing and directing credits in Des Moines have received thirty-four Cloris Leachman Excellence in Theatre Award nominations, including two awards for Best Play and a Special Honor for Martin in 2016. In 2018, Martin was named Producing Director of Williamstown Theatre Festival (WTF). Martin was previously the Bill Foeller Directing Fellow at WTF where he directed A Son, Come Home by Ed Bullins and Brotherhood by Louis Reyes McWilliams. Martin has also served as Associate Producer at the Goodman Theatre and is the former Artistic Director of Victory Gardens Theatre. He received two degrees from Drake University and his MFA in Directing from Brown/Trinity Rep.
Content Transparency: This production includes discussions of sexual assault, miscarriage, loss of a child, drug abuse, suicide, death, and illness.
Tiny Beautiful Things Show Sponsor
2022/23 Season Sponsor
