Invisible Theatre: “TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS”

Invisible Theatre continues its 50th Anniversary Season with the Southwest Premiere of TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS directed by Associate Director Samantha Cormier. A celebration of the simple beauty of being human, this funny, uplifting and deeply touching exploration of resilience is based on Cheryl Strayed’s journey as the beloved anonymous advice columnist for “Dear Sugar.” Based on the book by Cheryl Strayed. Adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos

June 9 – 20, 2021

All performances are at Invisible Theatre
1400 N. First Avenue (at Drachman)
Tucson, AZ 85719

General Admission – $40
Students – $20

TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS, stars Susan Cookie Baker, Tim Tully, Emily Gates and Richard Michael Thompson. It is a play about reaching when you’re stuck, healing when you’re broken, and finding the courage to take on the questions that have no answers. This surprising tale will touch your heart in unexpected ways.

“TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS is about the endangered art of listening to – and really
hearing and responding to – other people … it works beautifully as a sustained
theatrical exercise in empathy.”
-New York Times

Brought to us in part through the generous support of Anne F. Cavanagh

TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS, based on the book by Cheryl Strayed and adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos, will play from June 9 – 20, 2021. The Invisible Theatre is located at 1400 N. First Avenue (at Drachman), Tucson, AZ 85719.

The single show ticket price is $40. A special student rate is $20.

Reservations are required – all seats are reserved. There will be no sales at the Box Office.

All audience members must wear masks for the duration of their time inside the theatre.

All social distancing guidelines issued by the CDC and City of Tucson will be followed.

The running time is 80 minutes with no intermission.
TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS is appropriate for mature audiences (13 and up).

THE INVISIBLE THEATRE

The Invisible Theatre (IT) of Tucson, a 501(c)(3) organization, is dedicated to producing quality theatre and arts education experiences for all facets of the community in an intimate setting that showcases local professional talent and guest artists. IT takes its name from the invisible energy that flows between a performer and audience, creating the magic of theatre. Started in 1971 as an arena for local playwrights, the theatre has expanded its programs to include adaptations of classics and recent Off- Broadway plays and musicals, while continuing to encourage new playwrights through both full productions and staged readings.

Under the leadership of Managing Artistic Director Susan Claassen, Associate Artistic Director James Blair, and PR Director Cathy Johnson, IT is strongly committed to community service and outreach programs. The company’s current season includes a six play Main Stage season, many special events, a world class cabaret series, organizational collaborations, educational tours, seminars that encourage community dialogue and Project Pastime – an educational theatre program for mentally challenged youth.

The Invisible Theatre, the recipient of the first Arizona Theatre Association Award for Best Producing Theatre Company, is a member of the Theatre Communications Group and has long enjoyed both local and national recognition for its strong leadership role in the arts community. Productions take place in an intimate 80-seat converted laundry building. IT celebrates its 50th season with an even greater commitment to professionalism, artistic excellence, accessibility, freedom of expression, diverse programming and creative challenge – thus making the Invisible Theatre a very visible force in Tucson’s cultural community.

ABOUT THE PEOPLE

SUSAN COOKIE BAKER (Sugar) is a treasured member of the Invisible Theatre ensemble and artistic family. Susan made her IT debut in the 2009 LEAVING IOWA and followed it with the world premiere of LOOK MA WE’RE DANCING, along with MOTHERHOOD OUT LOUD, BAKERSFIELD MIST, I OUGHT TO BE IN PICTURES, SHEAR MADNESS, LET’S LIVE A LITTLE, MR. GOLDBERG’S PRODIGAL SON and recently 20TH CENTURY BLUES. Some of Susan’s favorite productions include OLIVE AND THE BITTER HERBS, THE FIFTH OF JULY, LEND ME A TENOR, 6 RMS RVR VU, and DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER. A former high school drama and art teacher, she has also appeared in nearly 100 interactive murder mysteries where she variously died, killed someone, or brought a murderer to justice. A B.F.A. graduate of Rockford College, Susan also studied at Regents College in London. When not on stage, Susan is… on stage – teaching aerobics, yoga and fitness classes at Canyon Ranch.

TIM TULLY (Letter Writer #1) is delighted to be back in Tucson after being away in the Seattle area for thirty years. Before he and his wife moved, Tim was very active in the Tucson theatre community – in including Invisible Theatre, where he was in COLE, SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM, SISTER MARY IGNATIUS/THE ACTOR’S NIGHTMARE, OATS and MINOR DETAILS as well as a children’s theatre tour. While in the Seattle area, he toured with his original adaptation of Charles Dickens works, DICKENS READING DICKENS and performed in Seattle, Bellingham and Bainbridge Island.

EMILY GATES (Letter Writer #2) Emily is so excited to be working with the phenomenal Invisible Theatre to help bring this production of TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS to the stage! Emily is a recent graduate of The University of Arizona getting her bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts. Some of Emily’s favorite shows include: FILMING O’KEEFFE, OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS, SILLY WOMAN, ACCOMPLICE, SHOW PEOPLE, APPROPRIATE, TIME STANDS STILL, LOVE AND INFORMATION. Emily would like to thank her mother, father and older sister for always loving and supporting her. Emily would also like to thank the incredible Invisible Theatre family for giving her this incredible opportunity. Enjoy the show!

RICHARD “CHOMPS” THOMPSON (Letter Writer #3) is a local playwright and performer who is honored to join Invisible Theatre and the talented cast and crew of TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS. Richard’s acting career has spanned live stage, voice over, film, and contemporary art installations. A heart poet and James Beard nominee, he has also produced original pieces in TucsonLAST CALL (The Community Players; 2017) and THE GRANDEST PAGEANT (Tucson Fringe Festival; 2019), and his first independent film, You.kNow.Me? (2019) was nominated for an Apex award. His prior work with Winding Road Theater includes Trigoran in STUPID F$#@KIN’ BIRD (2019) and Cal in THE LITTLE FOXES (2019). He has most recently continued his learning as an Arizona Theater Company cohort for the 2019/2020 season as well as a current student of the Theater Bennett Conservatory where he practices Shakespearian form and Stanislavskian technique.

SAMANTHA CORMIER (Director) is excited to direct at the incredible IT. She holds an M.F.A. in Performing Arts from SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) and a B.F.A. in Directing/Theatre Production from the University of Arizona. She has performed and directed in theatres from New York to Savannah to your favorite theatres in Tucson including The Gaslight Theatre/Music Hall, Live Theatre Workshop, Arizona Onstage Productions and The Rogue Theatre. Favorite shows directed/choreographed: NOW AND THEN, THINGS BEING WHAT THEY ARE, FOREVER PLAID, GODSPELL, NUNSENSE, THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES, and SNOOPY!!! THE MUSICAL (MAC Award Nomination, Best Director). Favorite roles include Senga in DANCING LESSONS with Damian Garcia, Louise in ALWAYS…PATSY CLINE, Princess Fiona in SHREK THE MUSICAL, Corrie in BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, Winnifred in ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, Columbia in THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (MAC Award Nomination, Best Actress), and Frankie in VOICE OF THE PRAIRIE (MAC Award Winner, Best Actress). She has been a theatre instructor for over 13 years including at Stagedoor Manor in New York. IT is overjoyed to have Samantha as an integral part of its artistic family.

FACTS ABOUT TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS

WHO:
Based on the book by Cheryl Strayed and adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos
Director: Samantha Cormier

CAST:
Susan Cookie Baker, Tim Tully, Emily Gates and Richard Michael Thompson

WHERE:
The Invisible Theatre
1400 N. First Avenue (at Drachman), Tucson, AZ 85719

RUNNING TIME:
80 minutes with no intermission

AGE RECOMMENDATION:
Mature ages 13 and up

WHEN:
Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, June 10, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.
Friday, June 11, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 13, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. SOLD OUT

Wednesday, June 16, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, June 17, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.
Friday, June 18, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 19, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. SOLD OUT
Sunday, June 20, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. SOLD OUT

PRODUCTION STAFF:
DIRECTOR: Samantha Cormier
SET DESIGN: James Blair and Susan Claassen
LIGHT DESIGN: Diana Knoepfle and James Blair
SOUND DESIGN: Rob Boone and Susan Claassen
COSTUME DESIGN: Maryann Trombino
PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER: Diana Knoepfle

WE WILL BE CONTINUING WHAT WE CALL “BOUTIQUE SEATING”

Since our Covid-19 protocols are strictly enforced,
seating remains very limited!
Here is how it will work …

IT will take requests for seating when reservations are made. Reservations are required. There will be no sales at the Box Office!

Decide which performance you would like to attend and how many are in your party.

Call 520-882-9721 or email katy@invisibletheatre.com with your first and second choices. We will then call you with your confirmed date.
Patrons will be seated directly into their assigned seats in the theatre.

The lobby will only be a pass through without congregating.

A back door and front door will be utilized for easy access and social distancing into their assigned seat in the theatre.

There will be an electronic check-in rather than a ticket.

There will be an information sheet left on the theatre seat, rather than a full program.

Each performance is 80 minutes without an intermission.

Sanitized restrooms will be available on an emergency basis.

All audience members must wear masks for the duration of their time inside the theatre.

Audience is asked to take their temperature at home on the date they are attending. If feeling ill, they are asked to please stay home and their tickets will be rescheduled.

All social distancing guidelines issued by the CDC and City of Tucson will be followed.

The theatre will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after every performance.

A special GPS-FC24-AZ Ionization System has been installed into our air-conditioning unit.

We will utilize minimal staff and no ushers. All staff will be required to wear masks at all times.

All of our performers are vaccinated and will be monitored daily.

FOR INFORMATION AND TO PURCHASE TICKETS:

Call our Box Office at (520) 882-9721 or email katy@invisibletheatre.com with your first and second performance choices

Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express are accepted.
Tickets are also available 24/7 through OvationTix at www.invisbletheatre.com.
General Admission: $40, Students: $20