Valley Center Stage opens “Tiny Beautiful Things”

By Conor Wilson • February 18, 2022 1:30 am
Photo courtesy of Rosalind Chaffee. Rene Schuchter (left) and Jen Anderson rehearse for Valley Center Stage’s performance of “Tiny Beautiful Things.”
Photo courtesy of Rosalind Chaffee. Rene Schuchter (left) and Jen Anderson rehearse for Valley Center Stage’s performance of “Tiny Beautiful Things.”

Valley Center Stage returns with its third show of the season, presenting “Tiny Beautiful Things,” based on Cheryl Strayed’s book of the same name.

The play, adapted by Nia Vardalos, calls on Strayed’s experience as a struggling writer and a popular advice columnist, named Sugar, on TheRumpus.com between 2010 and 2012. The play tells the story of Sugar as a person and writer as she interacts with three others who write to her seeking advice.

“Strayed’s ability to express suffering and healing is remarkable and she makes it so accessible,” said Wanda Boe, the play’s director. “It’s really validating and for anyone who’s gone through something difficult.”

This will be Valley Center Stage’s third show since the pandemic. Boe said she is excited to return to “Tiny Beautiful Things,” which was scheduled to be performed during the 2020-2021 season, but was canceled due to COVID-19.

“It’s exciting to do live theater again,” she said. “We’ve made some accommodations and they seem to be working. We’ve had two successful runs of plays and none of the cast has gotten sick.”

The small four-person cast includes Jen Anderson as Sugar, alongside Peter Cook, Robin Walbeck-Forrest and René Schuchter as three letter writers.

Boe praised the cast for stepping up to the challenge of creating unique characters for each of the letter writers they represent.

“Their performances are powerful and they really access deep emotions in an authentic and raw way,” she said. “I feel that emotion every time I watch them go through runs of it.”

“Tiny Beautiful Things” will run every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Feb. 18 to March 5, at the newly renovated Sallal Grange at 1060 Stilson Avenue SE in North Bend.

Tickets are $20 dollars for general admission with discounts for Seniors and students. For tickets, visit: valleycenterstage.org.

Photo courtesy of Rosalind Chaffee. Actors rehearsing for Valley Center Stage’s performance of “Tiny Beautiful Things.” Front Jen Anderson (left) and Robin Walbeck-Forrest. Back: Peter Cook (left) and Rene Schuchter.

Photo courtesy of Rosalind Chaffee. Actors rehearsing for Valley Center Stage’s performance of “Tiny Beautiful Things.” Front Jen Anderson (left) and Robin Walbeck-Forrest. Back: Peter Cook (left) and Rene Schuchter.