Tiny Beautiful Things

See it if you are in need of some good old-fashion storytelling that pulls at the heart strings.

Don't see it if you think that life experience doesn’t make one an expert, able to give good common sense advice.

Also This stage adaptation of the material from author Cheryl Strayed’s book is full of interesting subject matter, enough for several different plays. Nia Vardalos skillfully walks the high-wire tightrope as advice columnist Dear Sugar, balancing her advice replies with humor and honesty. She makes it look easy and effortless, but the real skill here is in the adaption of the material of the book into a stage play. Initially, the in and out rotation of ensemble cast members playing all folks writing letters to the advice column was weird and clunky, but after several rotations, you easily focus on their plights as letter writers and not that they are playing multiple characters. At ninety minutes, you feel like you have had a really satisfying full theatrical meal. Bravo Nia Vardalos and company!... Read more Read less

See it if You want to feel something.

Don't see it if You feel like reading an advice column out loud for a couple hours and calling it a play seems to easy.

See it if you love the book it is based on & enjoy non stop advice questions answered with personal experiences by the talented actress Nia Vardalos

Don't see it if you don't enjoy plays with no plot or build up, but a series of questions and answers about love and life.

See it if The fine threads of emotions, love, loss, brutality and longing weave a rich tapestry of stories that are the lives of real people.

Don't see it if You have no patience for introspection. The age of Trump fights against emotion, if that is where you are, stay away.

See it if You are a Nia Vardalos fan -- though her performance is flat here. Like to think and hear about life's trials and ways of reframing them.

Don't see it if You are impatient with monologue after monologue -- with each being responded to by an advice columnist.

Also This doesn't hold together for 90 minutes. 45 would have been plenty...... Read more Read less

See it if This is a performance piece rather than a traditional play. Riveting stories in the form of advice columns. Moving with light, funny moments

Don't see it if This is not a traditional play in terms of structure, narrative and character. More like mini vignettes strung together by "Dear Sugar"

See it if you are a fan of Cheryl Stayed & her brilliant way of addressing the human condition. The audience was obviously moved.

Don't see it if the things that affect our lives seems indulgent to you

See it if "Dear Abby" comes alive, are interested in the effects responses may have on troubled souls, or enjoy storytelling thru a series of letters.

Don't see it if Would not like a potpourri of issues in a "dear Abby" style, if you do not enjoy small venues, or if you want a large scale production.

See it if you don’t mind being told what’s important, and don’t care about narrative, story or structure.

Don't see it if You do care about the above. The whole whole is letters being read to the audience. By the third, I wanted to kill myself. It was preachy.

See it if Feels like a theatrical exercise and lacks narrative development but is a deeply emotional very deep dive into empathy and shared humanity

Don't see it if You need narrative development and don’t like any hint of raw emotion and sentimentality

See it if you are a fan of Cheryl Stray's book or Nia Vardalos or other talented cast member.

Don't see it if your looking to see a play with a plot.

See it if Letters were expertly chosen and arranged so moving moments were relieved by comedic moments; Vardalos has all the right notes

Don't see it if Nonexistent dramatic tension as you get seemingly unexpected "surprises" as an alternative; cynics might find it contrived and maudlin

See it if You like the Chicken Soup for the whatever series. It is great life advice. I heard sniffles in the audience.

Don't see it if Self help books are not your thing. The play is like a sel help book on steroids.

See it if You love Nia Vardalos. This is a dramatized advice column. So there is anguish portrayed and wisdom given but no plot.

Don't see it if If you are engaged in the production it will be emotionally draining. If not you will probably take a nap.

See it if You like Nia Vardalos. It was boring and seemed to go on forever even though it was only 90 minutes.

Don't see it if If you like "My Big Fat Greek Wedding". You will be disappointed.

See it if you want to see one woman basically reading aloud from the self-help section at the bookstore.

Don't see it if you want more depth and character interaction, or a fully fledged out story.

See it if you're a Cheryl Strayed fan like me or if you are moved by tales of human suffering and transcendence. If you like epistolary-type shows.

Don't see it if You need a plot; this is presented, like the book, as a series of anecdotes - letter and response. If you cry easily, bring tissues.

See it if you like "Dear Abby" updated but still the basic idea of advice to the troubled who have no one else to speak with. Well done sincere

Don't see it if you want "entertainment" with flash or action. This is a static but essentially humane interaction between people who never meet but connect

See it if you’d like to see a conversational & multi character play that shows you human connection in the form of an advice column & responses.

Don't see it if you prefer your plays with plot or linear narratives.

See it if You are fan of self help, spiritual or new age writing. If the personal growth industry or emotional trauma recovery intrigues you.

Don't see it if You want a linear or plot driven play.

See it if you are a Cheryl Strayed fan. The acting is great, the staging is unique, the writing is profound.

Don't see it if you don't want to see a play in the vein of Dear Abby. I found it pretty great, but I could see how it might rub some people the wrong way

Also Not sure that this needed to be made into a play, but I enjoyed myself. There's no real plot to speak of, just the reading/reciting of letters. It's very well done, just not necessarily what I was expecting.... Read more Read less

See it if You are a fan of Nia Vardalos or the writing of Cheryl Strayed. The show is engaging on an emotional level but not much else. Set was nice.

Don't see it if You don't like mushy storytelling. This was an indulgent piece by the Public. Tough ticket to grab for not much substance.

See it if you are a fan of Cheryl Strayed or Nia Vardolos (doing her best to make a non-role engaging); you like life lessons in bite-sized vignettes

Don't see it if you are expecting a play, dramatic action, or exploration of relationships.

Also While this presentation of advice columns has affecting moments, it gains nothing by this stage adaptation and risks trivializing both the pain of those writing in and the empathy offered by the columnist in the form of warts-and-all stories from her life. Hard to believe this was presented by the Public Theater, much less revived in its largest indoor theatre.... Read more Read less

See it if You're an empathetic soul, like to laugh and cry and are fascinated with others dealing with life issues.

Don't see it if You're not a Cheryl Strayed fan. You expect a linear theatrical production.

See it if you are under 40 and have ever experienced love trouble, family problems, or drug issues. You like hearing about other people's problems.

Don't see it if you are over 50 as many of the stories related to younger people.

Also Don't see it if you are expecting some mind-blowing advice to help you live your life. Since the story is based on fact, the play has resonance. I wish it had addressed issues that older people face.... Read more Read less