Dear Pancakes,
As we head into opening week, I wanted to tell you about my history with Tiny Beautiful Things and why it's such an essential piece for me.
Years ago, I was headed to New York for my golden birthday. I was turning 24 on the 24th, and I couldn’t wait to celebrate in the city. On the plane, I sat beside a woman, entirely captivated by a book she was reading. When I read the title, Dear Sugar, I almost dismissed it as "just an advice column," but as we started talking, something about this woman's experience with it sparked my interest.
As I celebrated my way through New York, I forgot about the book entirely until I saw it at a bookstore in Union Square. Letting my curiosity drive me, I bought it. I didn't pull it out of my bag until I was on the plane headed home. Ya'll. I devoured the entire thing on that flight. I had never experienced something so profoundly moving. It wasn’t just a book—it was like someone had handed me permission to be radically empathetic, to feel everything fully, to be open in ways I hadn’t thought or allowed myself before. Tiny Beautiful Things opened a door for me, and I am forever thankful for that small connection I made with a stranger on a plane.
Sometimes, life hands us impossible questions, and we’re left wondering if we’ll ever find the right answers. But here’s the thing; the beauty isn’t always in the answer. It’s in the courage to ask, the bravery to feel, and the gentleness to keep going. That’s what Tiny Beautiful Things is about. This play is more than just a compilation of stories—it’s a reflection of all the tiny, messy, beautiful things that make us human. And yes, it deals with the hard stuff—grief, trauma, personal struggles, and even abuse. But that’s the thing; we shouldn’t shy away from it. These are the things that shape us, and this play shows us that even in our most painful, broken moments, we are still worthy of love and understanding.
When you sit in the theater watching these stories unfold, you’ll feel it too; that connection, that hope, that tiny flicker of light that reminds you to keep reaching, even when it’s tough.
So come, sit with us for a while. Let’s talk about what hurts, what heals, and what it means to be alive. You’ll also find laughter in the lines, showing that life’s charming and most poignant moments often go hand in hand. I promise you’ll leave the theater with a heart that feels a little lighter, a little fuller, and a lot more open to the world around you.
Yours,
Amara
Tiny Beautiful Things opens September 20th and runs Sept. 21, 27, 28, October 4, and 5. Grab your tickets at www.communalpancake.com/tickets
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