Our 551st Production
Directed by Jane Jennings
March 6th, 7th, 8th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 2026
Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m., Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
Based on the bestselling book by Cheryl Strayed, Tiny Beautiful Things personifies the questions and answers that “Sugar” was publishing online from 2010–2012. When the struggling writer was asked to take over the unpaid, anonymous position of advice columnist, Strayed used empathy and her personal experiences to help those seeking guidance for obstacles both large and small.
Warning: Contains adult themes and adult language, it is not suitable for young children. Viewer discretion is advised.
Meet the Cast
Leah O’Hara as Sugar
Leah is exhilarated to once again take the stage at Old Academy Players. Most recently she was Mrs. Gibbs in Our Town, Natalie in Love Between the Dryer Sheets, and Jessie in Sweat. Some of her other favorite rolls have been Mrs.Van Dann in Diary of Anne Frank, and Mrs. White in Clue at Players Club of Swathmore; Rosemary Devlin in A Good Farmer at South Camden Theater; Inez Serrano in No Exit at The Village Players of Hatboro; Romaine in Witness for the Prosecution and Beatriz in Much Ado About Nothing at The Stagecrafters; and Ileen in Rasheeda Speaking at Allen’s Lane Theater. Thank you to her family and friends for sharing this wonderful journey with her and nourishing her art! She loves you all.
Paolo Barolat-Romana as Letter Writer #1
Paolo is excited to perform in his second show at Old Academy under Jane Jennings’ direction. He started taking acting classes at the Walnut Theater in his late 20s, where he fell in love with the art form. His resume includes the roles of Joe Stoddard in Our Town at OA, the Aviator in The Little Prince at Swarthmore Players Club and Biff in Death of a Salesman at Haddonfield Plays and Players.
Precious Emmanuel as Letter Writer #3
Precious is delighted to make her Old Academy debut in Tiny Beautiful Things. She is passionate about theatre as a tool for empathy, healing, and storytelling. Some favorite past roles include Maria (Man of La Mancha), Ernestine (Crumbs from the Table of Joy), Rachel (Roadmaps), and Mrs. Muller (Doubt). By day, Precious teaches elementary school in Philadelphia, where storytelling is at the heart of her work. She gives all thanks to Jesus and endless love to her family and friends. “Be brave. Brave enough to break your own heart.”
Rachel Dalton as Letter Writer #2
Rachel is delighted to return to the Old Academy stage for the third time, having previously appeared in And Then There Were None (Vera) and Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley (Jane). An actor, singer, mental health writer, and intimacy director, she is overjoyed to bring her favorite book to life. Many thanks to her family, friends, and husband (of four months!), Javi. This one is for her parents, the most emotionally intelligent people she knows.
Jane Jennings (Director)
Jane is excited to direct her tenth show at Old Academy Players. She is a 12-year member of OA, with diverse credits that include directing, acting, singing, music, and costuming. Some of her favorite directorial accomplishments at OA include Our Town, Miss Bennett–Christmas at Pemberly, Melancholy Play, Barefoot in the Park, The Elephant Man, Eurydice, and Vanya, Sonia, Masha & Spike. Jane is a graduate of the Academy of Vocal Arts and teaches voice and piano privately.
Janine Lieberman (Producer)
Janine has helped produce and operate tech for several plays at Old Academy Players and previously at The Stagecrafters in Chestnut Hill. She arrives at this work via reading anthropology, writing short stories, and observing the work of others who so beautifully unfold a play from script to stage.
Jerry Jennings (Producer)
Jerry is happy to again support Director and wife Jane in her tenth show at OA. Jerry has a mixed resume of writing, acting, producing, and set construction. Acting roles include Arsenic & Old Lace, Our Town, and Barefoot in the Park, and Vegetables on Funny or Die. He is featured in the TV true crime shows of Monster Preacher (Oxygen) and I Survived a Serial Killer (A&E). Producing credits include Miss Bennet-Christmas at Pemberly, Our Town, and The Dining Room. As a writer, Jerry has won or placed in numerous screenwriting competitions and is workshopping his stage adaptation of Jane Eyre.