Nia Vardalos News

In 1995, a group of writers, directors and actors gathered on Manhattan's Lower East Side for what was supposed to be a one-time only event: write, direct, produce and perform new plays within the span of 24 hours. Twenty-four years later, The 24 Hour Plays and The 24 Hour Musicals are regularly performed around the world, touching everyone from celebrities to student artists and raising millions of dollars for charities. Today, The 24 Hour Plays announced that they'll mark their anniversary with an intimate production of The 24 Hour Musicals on Monday, June 17th at 8 PM on the Irene Diamond Stage at the Pershing Square Signature Center.  

The Arden Theatre Company has announced its full 2019-20 subscription season. The lineup includes the previously announced musicals RAGTIME and ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, Tennessee Williams' A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, plus the world premiere Philadelphia playwright Lorene Cary's MY GENERAL TUBMAN. The seven-show season includes a work by MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING star Nia Vardalos based on a book by Cheryl Strayed, plus two productions in the intimate Bob & Selma Horan Studio Theatre.

Seattle Rep today announced the cast and creative team of its final production of the 2018/2019 Season, Tiny Beautiful Things, based on the best-selling book by Cheryl Strayed (Torch, Brave Enough, Wild, 'Dear Sugar') and adapted for the stage by Academy Award nominee Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Instant Mom). Co-conceived by Marshall Heyman ('Dietland'), Thomas Kail (Hamilton, Fox's 'Grease Live!'), and Vardalos, and directed by Courtney Sale (Artistic Director for Seattle Children's Theatre), Tiny Beautiful Things will run May 17 - June 23, 2019 (opening night is May 22) on the Leo K. stage. Single tickets are on sale now (starting at $17) and are available through the Seattle Rep Patron Services Office at 206.443.2222 or online at SeattleRep.org.

On Apr, 19, Julio welcomes welcomes Academy Award-nominated writer and actress Nia Vardalos, who will reprise the role of Sugar for the Pasadena Playhouse production of Tiny Beautiful Things.

Pasadena Playhouse, the State Theater of California, hosted a star-studded opening night last evening for The Public Theater production of Tiny Beautiful Things starring Academy Award-nominated writer and actress Nia Vardalos, who reprises the role of Sugar for the Playhouse production. Vardalos originated the role of Sugar at The Public Theater under the direction of Thomas Kail.  

In my mind Tiny Beautiful Things is a perfect radio play because of its content. Letters to online journalist Sugar (Nia Vardalos) and her responses make us focus intensely. Vardalos has adapted the novel by Cheryl Strayed into a stage play in which she, in her living space, approaches Letter Writer # 1 (Teddy Canez), # 2 (Natalie Woolams-Torres) and # 3 (Giovanni Adams) and addresses each, as if they were in  direct conversation. At times the concept works well; at other times, it becomes speechy and rambling. Currently onstage at the Pasadena Playhouse through May 5, the play will appeal most to those who visit online chat rooms looking for advice on how to deal with a myriad of problems.

Actress/writer Nia Vardalos will be bringing her latest theatrical creation TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS to the Pasadena Playhouse beginning April 10, 2019. In her stage adaptation of Cheryl Strayed's New York Times best-seller (co-conceived with Thomas Kail & Marshall Hayman), Nia reprises the lead role of Sugar, an online advice columnist by happenstance. Nia managed a few spare moments of her crazy, busy schedule to answer a few of my inquisitive inquiries on Sugar & Toula.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced its 2019–2020 theater season, with more than 15 productions from New York, London, and across the globe, plus original Kennedy Center productions.

Pasadena Playhouse, the State Theater of California, is pleased to announce that casting is complete for The Public Theater production of Tiny Beautiful Things starring Academy Award-nominated writer and actress Nia Vardalos, who will reprise the role of Sugar for the Playhouse production.

San Francisco Playhouse announced today the six plays that will comprise its 2019-20 Mainstage Season. With a lineup that includes both brave new works and re-imagined classics, the company solidifies its commitment to providing a home for the most essential voices in theatre. The Playhouse's three-play Sandbox Series devoted to developing new works will be announced at a later date.

Victory Gardens Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director Chay Yew and Executive Director Erica Daniels, announces the lineup for its 2019-2020 Season. Victory Gardens' 45th Season will include the Chicago premiere of Tiny Beautiful Things by Nia Vardalos; the world premiere of The First Deep Breath by Lee Edward Colston II; the co-world premiere of How to Defend Yourself by Lily Padilla; and the world premiere of Dhaba on Devon Avenue by Madhuri Shekar; and the Chicago premiere of Right to Be Forgotten by Sharyn Rothstein.

The Second City is thrilled to announce casting for The Second City e.t.c.'s 43rd Revue. Under the direction of Anneliese Toft with music direction by Jacob Shuda, The Second City e.t.c.'s 43rd Revue features returning cast member Andrew Knox along with first-time resident stage ensemble members Atra Asdou, E.J. Cameron, Mark Campbell, Laurel Krabacher, and Chuck Norment. The stage manager is Laura Hum.

Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) today announced the 2019-20 Season, which features seven plays by women, a world premiere historical drama, two East Coast premieres, and three provocative plays with music, according to Artistic Director Sean Daniels and Executive Director Bonnie J. Butkas.

Pasadena Playhouse, the State Theater of California, is pleased to announce that Academy Award-nominated writer and actress Nia Vardalos will reprise the role of Sugar in the Playhouse production of Tiny Beautiful Things.

Portland Center Stage's TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS asks us all to 'imagine what the world would be if we led with love and kindness," and shows us a path to get there.

Five-time Obie Award-winning theater company Clubbed Thumb (Maria Striar, Producing Artistic Director; Michael Bulger, Associate Artistic Director; Quinn Metal Corbin, Advancement Director) is proud to announce the line-up for SUMMERWORKS, its annual series of new plays. Now in its 24th season, SUMMERWORKS will run May 17 through June 29 at The Wild Project (195 E 3rd Street) in Manhattan, and will feature productions of three new plays: LUNCH BUNCH by Sarah Einspanier and directed by Tara Ahmadinejad; YOU NEVER TOUCHED THE DIRT by Zhu Yi and directed by Ken Rus Schmoll; and KING PHILIP'S HEAD IS STILL ON THAT PIKE JUST DOWN THE ROAD by Daniel Glenn and directed by Caitlin Ryan O'Connell.

TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS opened at Old Globe in San Diego, California on February 9 and is running through March 17, 2019. Based on the best-selling book by Cheryl Strayed, Tiny Beautiful Things follows the relationships between an anonymous advice columnist named Sugar and the many real-life readers who pour out their hearts to her. Academy Award nominee Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) adapts Strayed's book into an enrapturing and uplifting play that surges with emotion and is called by Variety 'a theatrical hug in turbulent times.' Tiny Beautiful Things is about reaching when you're stuck, recovering when you're broken, and finding the courage to ask the questions that are hardest to answer. Tissues recommended. Contains strong language and adult content.

TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS opened at Old Globe in San Diego, California on February 9 and is running through March 17, 2019.

Portland Center Stage at The Armory brings the critically acclaimed adaptation of Cheryl Strayed's Tiny Beautiful Things to debut in the author's hometown. Adapted by Nia Vardalos (writer and star of My Big Fat Greek Wedding), co-created by Vardalos, Thomas Kail (director of Hamilton) and Marshall Heyman, and directed by Rose Riordan, Tiny Beautiful Things explores the time Cheryl Strayed spent as the anonymous advice columnist behind "Dear Sugar," and the honest, intimate connection she forged with her readers. Dana Green takes on the role of Sugar, joined by Leif Norby, Lisa Renee Pitts, and Brian Michael Smith who play the letter writers.

Nia Vardalos and Cheryl Strayed offer good advice for life.