Award-winning actress Iza Calzado is making her straight play debut, another challenge in her acting career, with “Tiny Beautiful Things: A Play About Life in Letters,” based on the best-selling book by Cheryl Strayed and adapted for the stage by playwright and actress Nia Vardalos (“My Big Fat Greek Wedding”).
It was managing artistic director of The Sandbox Collective Toff De Venecia, who offered Iza the role of Sugar, an anonymous advice columnist even when her life is falling apart.
“The reason we all agreed that this is such an important piece that’s something that we needed to do and wanted to do is because the message of telling people to reach, help and work on their own trauma and challenges and to know that they can work through it is so important,” Iza admitted.
“Especially at this time, after the pandemic, we experienced so many losses, that still goes on. really life. We need to know that we are not alone on that journey. We talk to somebody and ask advice from.
“I think it also explores that after being broken, we are always be worried of ‘Tiny Beautiful Things’.”
The material of “Tiny Beautiful Things” made Iza give her nod to the offer. Actually, it’s “money,” she earlier jokingly said. She had just given birth to Deia, her daughter with businessman Ben Wintle who is turning two this January.
“It was a good material and I know I can connect with it,” Iza said. “The script was given to me when I had just finished ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll’ look test early this year. I was crying and crying while I was reading the script of ‘Tiny Beautiful Things’.”
Yet, “Tiny Beautiful Things” is not totally a cry-fest. “It’s a rollercoaster of a ride,” said Iza. “It was really the material. It’s important that people understand that we all go through the same things. Maybe not exactly the same, but quite similar.
“So many people here are struggling with some things that we are not even brave enough to admit to ourselves and to others and that’s tough. I feel that’s quite healing in that sense.”
Iza works with director Jenny Jamora, who is at the helm of “Tiny Beautiful Things.” The supporting cast are Ketchup Eusebio, Rody Vera, Gabby Padilla, Regina de Vera and Brian Sy.
“Ang sarap sarap ng bawat rehearsal,” Iza described. “This is also why it’s very important for actors to do theater. There are young actors who haven’t done theater. I want them to please try it out because it’s so inspiring.
“You learn so much from each other. The process is so different. Without belittling television or film, which is not given as much time as theater. Here, you have time and room to play. It’s so much fun. My costars are so much fun.”
Iza admitted she can never be an advice columnist in real life. “I don’t think I will be as brave as Cheryl Strayed in sharing what she has shared about herself. I feel she has shared quite a lot. I know how she writes, visceral.
“Grabe ang tapang ng babaeng ‘yan. It’s hard to give advice that’s why the material resonated with her readers. She really gives her readers courage and inspiration. I will only take on being an advice columnist once I’m really ready to tackle all topics.
“As much as I know I have a certain level of wisdom, I am still making several mistakes. I’m no saint. I’m still trying to get my virtues in life. That’s the point of it. Because you’re human. What you believe before may not be the same thing now. That may change.”
Meanwhile, director Jenny Jamora reiterates the team is doing something similar, a little less realistic, but something real on the set.
“We see sugar and a letter-writer,” said Jenny. “That’s one physical space for us and as we keep going and going, the space for them between them becomes less and less until we occupy the same metaphorical space.”
The book and the play are tapestry of real letters by real people in real situations. “A lot of letters are spoilers,” Jenny said. “Sometimes, what she reveals are surprising. We don’t want to spoil things.
“We put together various clips which will give a gyst of what goes on in the play. The clips are not just something that’s cut out in the play. We took it from different parts.”
Toff De Venecia gets help from The Sandbox Collective team, with finance and operations director Anna Santamaria, marketing and PR director Sab Jose and design director Maine Manalansan.
Also part of the team are Marcel David (assistant director), Charyl de Guzman (production manager), Pachot Festejo (head stage manager), Kiefer Sison (lighting designer/technical director), Kayla Teodoro (set designer), Krystal Kane (costume stylist) and Arvy Dimaculangan (sound designer/musical scoring).
“Tiny Beautiful Things” caps off The Sandbox Collective’s 10th anniversary season.
