Review of COME FROM AWAY: Gander's Graciousness and Generosity

June 8, 2025

The morning of September 11, 2001 started out as an ordinary day, when mayor Claude (Steven Cadd) of the small town of Gander in Newfoundland, Canada was having his daily can of soda at Tim Horton's. Soon, the police constable Oz (Gian Magdangal) came running in, telling the waitress to turn on the radio. The big news was that US airspace was declared closed because of major terrorist attacks in New York City and the Pentagon. As a result, 38 international aircrafts were diverted and forced to land in Gander International Airport .

This meant that the townsfolk have to play host to about 7,000 individuals, providing for their daily needs, including shelter, food and clothing. Senior teacher Beulah (Sheila Francisco) took charge of accommodating the plane people in the local school. Meanwhile local SPCA worker Bonnie (Caisa Borromeo) volunteered to take care of about 19 pets, which included a pair of rare Bonobo chimpanzees, one of which was about to give birth. Neophyte news reporter Janice Mosher (Becca Coates) had to give daily updates on these developments. 

The musical also told stories of some the so-called "plane people." Pilot Beverley Bass (Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo) was the first female pilot of American Airlines. Kevin J (Topper Fabregas) and Kevin T (George Schultz) were a gay couple from Los Angeles. Hannah (Carla Guevara-Laforteza) was a worried mother of a New York firefighter. Black guy Bob (Garrett Bolden) who was worried about discrimination. Texan woman Diane (Cathy Azanza-Dy) and British man Nick (Rycharde Everley) met and may be falling in love. 

The most miraculous aspect of this play was how these same 12 actors (with swings Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante, Mayen Cadd and Chino Veguillas) also managed to play all the multiple other nameless characters of varying accents from among the townspeople and the passengers, scene after scene in rapid yet seamless transitions. One characters that stood out was that of Ali (also by Fabregas), a Moslem. As lighthearted as the musical was, it did not shirk in tackling this sensitive topic of religious paranoia felt during that time. 

The songs by Irene Sankoff and David Hein ranged from upbeat humorous tunes with a country flavor (like "Welcome to the Rock" and "Screech In") to story songs that expressed the tension of the townspeople  and the passengers (like "On the Edge" and "I Am Here"). One number that stood out for me was "Prayer," which began with "Prayer of St. Francis" sung by Schultz's Kevin T. and Laforteza's Hannah. Jewish (Magdangal as a rabbi) and Islamic hymns then joined in. This was one of the more emotional parts of the whole show for me. 

Positive news like this was largely buried under behind the more sensational headlines about the 9/11 attacks back then. Thankfully, Sankoff and Hein thought of telling heartwarming stories from these five days of Gander's hospitality, graciousness and generosity via a stage musical the whole world can enjoy. it played on Broadway from 2017 to 2022, nominated for 7 Tonys including Best Musical, and winning one for director Christopher Ashley. For this Manila run to be played by local theater talents we know was definitely a major plus.

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The Manila staging of Come From Away was directed by Michael Williams, with Rony Fortich as musical director. 

The other members of the creative team are: Delphine Buencamino (Choreography), Harry Tabner (Lighting Designer), Luke Swaffield (Sound Designer), Kayla Teodoro (Production Designer), Myrene Santos (Hair and Makeup Designer), Hershee Tantiado (Costume Designer). Joel Goldes, the dialect coach from the original Broadway production of Come From Away, was also on hand to guide the accents required of the actors.

The show runs Fridays (8pm), Saturdays (3:30pm and 8pm) and Sundays (1:30pm and 6pm) from June 6 to 29, 2025, at the Samsung Performing Arts Center at Circuit Makati Mall. Tickets can be bought from TicketWorld, prices ranging from P5800 to P950.