Cheryl Strayed Helps Advice Seekers with Her Stories

by Mary Lou Herlihy

“Tiny Beautiful Things” tells the story of a real-life advice columnist who exudes empathy. The play is adapted from Cheryl Strayed’s book of the same name. “Dear Sugar,” Strayed’s pen name, develops a following by responding to queries with conspicuous compassion. 

As Sugar, Alicia Rydman displays the measured restraint of a racehorse. Strayed’s strength, hidden behind carefully chosen words, surfaces in Rydman’s winces and far off glances. Strayed uses examples, often painful ones, from her life to build connection with readers. Stated in various ways, her words reinforce the message: “You are NOT alone.”

Three actors take on a host of characters who pose highly personal questions to Sugar. Questions like: “When will I know when it’s time to use the word LOVE?” or,  “Should I make amends with parents who did not support my coming out?” or, “Should I leave my spouse?” One Gen-Z questioner comically parades across the stage repeatedly, asking simply: “WTF?” 

Exasperated by the ridiculous “WTF” question, Sugar finally responds by writing: “ASK BETTER QUESTIONS!” She goes on to tell the questioner: “The ‘FUCK’ is actually your life, and you need to start giving a fuck.” Her own horrific real-life WTF story puts the questioner’s vacuous query to shame.

Advice-seekers share their questions with us, as Sugar simultaneously reads their funny, desperate, and often painful letters. In one powerfully staged scene, a questioner, who calls himself Living Dead Dad (stirring Rahul Gupta), moves slowly from the back of the stage forward. As he gets closer, his anguish erupts.

Sugar carefully matches his movements as she responds to his question. Step by step, she gets closer until she stands beside him. When she does, she puts her arm out to touch his shoulder and we feel the power of their connection, a deep relief from isolation.

Often isolated by noise and distraction in our lives, we forget how to LISTEN. Cheryl Strayed’s “Tiny Beautiful Things” reminds us that listening deeply to ourselves and others can be nothing short of miraculous.

 

“Tiny Beautiful Things”—based on the book by Cheryl Strayed, adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos, co-conceived by Marshall Heyman, Thomas Kail, and Nia Vardalos, directed by Morgan Dayley, at Town Hall, Lafayette, California.

Info: townhalltheatre.com – to June 27, 2026.

Cast: Alicia Rydman, Rahul Gupta, Sylvia Abrams-Wolffsohn, and Charles Kramasz.

Banner photo: Alicia Rydman