Colonial Players of Annapolis’ production of Tiny Beautiful Things is a heartfelt, funny celebration of messy humanity. Based on the book by Cheryl Strayed and adapted by Nia Vardalos, it follows an online advice columnist and a variety of letter writers requesting help for their dilemmas. Directed by Rikki Howie Lacewell, it is an intimate way to open the company’s 76th season.
Pamela Northrup gives an honesty to Sugar, a writer asked to take over an online advice column. At first, she struggles to respond to the questions, criticizing herself for her trite replies. Soon, though, she answers by sharing stories from her own life, some of which are harrowing and incredibly sad. She uses them to draw comparisons and lessons for her letter writers. Sometimes she is amusing and playful, while at other times she is upset at a writer’s attitude. Always, though, she is truthful and generous, offering wisdom drawn from a life of tragedies and triumphs.
Kat Binney, Daniel Liebner, Macrae “Mac” Smith, Aparna Sri, and Vanessa Van Note play Letter Writers. They all take on different accents and personalities, and all have different issues. Some of them inquire about Sugar’s identity, asking her to reveal herself or share more stories. Some are hilarious, like Smith’s question about celebrating the holidays with a girlfriend. Many are deeply sad, as Sri’s grief for a miscarriage, or Smith trying to endure life after the death of his son. They also play people from Sugar’s past, acting out the stories she tells. Liebner and Smith are teenage girls she mentored struggling with chaotic homelives, while Sri plays her mother with the last thing she said to her. Smith also plays her husband, who tells her ,“You don’t have to be broken for me.”
Set Designers Carrie Brady and Richard Atha-Nicholls re-create a lived-in home, with desks, chairs, and stools put together in the center to form one large table. On one end is a loveseat and chair, while on the other is a garden with a fountain and a bench. Beyond is a kitchen with a refrigerator. Properties Designers Roy Peterson and Carrie Shade scatter toys, clothes, and books throughout the stage, as well as several objects used. Costume Designer Carrie Brady puts everyone in various casual clothes, while keeping them identifiable. As Sugar’s mother, Aparna Sri wears a turban.
Lighting Designer Rick Swink shows the changing emotional atmosphere by dimming and raising the lights at various moments. Characters are spotlighted and kept in darkness at different times. Sound Designer Jim Adams throws out various sound effects to emphasize moments, such as a bird chirping. Before the show, Projection Designer Richard Atha-Nicholls projects letters from advice-seekers on the walls. During, different pictures project on the wall, highlighting emotional moments.
Director Rikki Howie Lacewell creates nice movements throughout, the actors pacing as they speak or folding laundry. The interplay between Northrup and the Letter Writers is well done, with her reacting in surprise or bemusement to their revelations. Sometimes she sits next to a Writer as she gives advice. In one case she touches him tenderly on the shoulder. Everyone hits just the right comic and emotional moments. With great humor and heartbreak, Tiny Beautiful Things is a moving work of theater, well worth seeing.
Running Time: 90 minutes with no intermission.
Tiny Beautiful Things plays through September 28, 2024 at Colonial Players of Annapolis – 108 East Street, Annapolis, MD. For tickets ($26), please call the box office at 410-268-7373 or purchase online. A production postcard is available here.