Cheryl Strayed Tickets

Cheryl Strayed is known for her iconic memoir Wild, which details her journey hiking the Pacific Crest Trail alone at the age of 26. However, many may not know that her work has also been adapted for the theater stage.

In 2016, Strayed’s book Tiny Beautiful Things was transformed into a play that debuted Off-Broadway at the Public Theater in New York City. The play features Strayed’s raw and honest advice column, Dear Sugar, which she created for the online literary magazine The Rumpus. The play highlights the struggles of modern life including heartbreak, loss, and trauma. Actress Nia Vardalos (of My Big Fat Greek Wedding fame) starred as Strayed, giving a captivating performance that drew audiences into each emotional story.

Strayed saw Vardalos’ portrayal during one of the show’s previews, and took to Twitter to express her admiration: “Blown away by @NiaVardalos and the entire company of #TinyBeautifulThings at @PublicTheaterNY tonight. Poignant, hilarious, brilliant.”

Strayed has also had her hand in writing for the theater with her most recent work, Brave Enough, being adapted into a one-woman show. Actress Kelly Campbell performed the show at the Portland Center Stage in Oregon in 2019. Like Tiny Beautiful Things, the piece is based on Strayed’s writing and offers a look at her personal experiences and struggles. Through monologues, poetry, and anecdotes from her life, Strayed provides an intimate look at the universal human experience.

While Strayed may be best known for her bestselling books, her impact on theater cannot be ignored. Her words have the ability to draw people in and create an emotional connection, whether on the page or on the stage.