From Oct. 24 until Oct. 27, VSU’s theatre and dance department opened the 2024-2025 season with yet another phenomenal play, “Tiny Beautiful Things.” 

The play, which astonished the audience with its comedic aspects that contained adult themes and language, was held in the Fine Arts Building on VSU’s campus in the Lab Theatre without an intermission.  

Due to delays caused by Hurricane Helene, the showtimes for the play originally scheduled for Sept. 26 through Sept. 29 were postponed. That did not deter students and residents of Valdosta from attending the show. On the opening night of the show, there was a full house, and tickets sold out extremely quickly.   

Based on the best-selling book by Cheryl Strayed, “Tiny Beautiful Things,” the play was a feel-good, influential story about courage, healing and tenacity. It featured the tale of a struggling writer who ran an anonymous advice column, “Dear Sugar,” in which the writer helped others through resonating with people from her own subjective experiences.  

The play was adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos and co-conceived by Marshall Heymen, Thomas Kail and Mia Vardalos. Starring an outstanding cast, Adanna Moore as Sugar, Taiger Glenn as Letter Writer number one, Christina Gerber as Letter Writer number two and Adrian Davis as Letter Writer number three.  

Vardalos wanted to honor Strayed and the similarities between her and the book.  

“As I read the letters exchanged, I wept, smiled and was astonished by the raw and extraordinary ‘Dear Sugar’ and the writers of the letters reveal themselves and we find ourselves in their conundrums and sorrows…,” said Vardalos.  

The acts of guidance and inspiration combined with empathetic emotions did not leave the audience behind but left them wanting more as the play was a hit each night.  

Strayed’s uplifting book did not only inspire her readers, but the adapter as well.  

“I yearned to be as bold, audacious and willful,” said Vardalos. “As I adapted the book into a play, I found the words so illuminating that I grieved and moved on from certain events of my own.”  

 The 2024-2025 Patron List is far from short and is categorized as platinum, golden, silver and supporting. The Patron List is conducted by individuals who contributed to the Golden Circle Scholarship and Support Fund which funds VSU’s production program and provides direct funding for theatre and dance scholarships.  

The theatre and dance department has an exciting upcoming season as they have already released future shows that will be presented through fundraisers supporting the Golden Circle Scholarship and Support Fund.

Written by Kennedy Hill, Entertainment Editor. Photo courtesy of Paul Leavy, VSU Photographer.