5 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Miss ‘Come From Away’
Come From Away is heading to the Manila stage this June and it’s about to introduce Filipino audiences to the inspiring story of a small town in Newfoundland, Canada, that showed remarkable hospitality and kindness to thousands of strangers during an international tragedy. While such themes may be familiar to most, the way the show is able to paint a colorful tapestry of community resilience through its simple but effective staging and dynamic performances will be a treat for all audiences. This production will be helmed by a Filipino creative team, who will be putting their own Pinoy spin on this charming tale of Canadian kindness.
So, what makes Come From Away an unmissable theatrical experience?
1. It takes you on an epic journey in 100 minutes.
Come From Away tells the story of 7,000 passengers who got stranded on Gander, Newfoundland in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks. It’s a daunting subject matter but this production manages to tell this ambitious story in both a compelling and economic way.
Caring for displaced people during a catastrophe is a story all too familiar to many Filipinos. “Our country is often hit by natural disasters and we all naturally come together to respond to these tragic events,” shares the show’s director Michael Williams, “Sympathy, empathy, generosity, kindness – are the qualities that shine brightest in these moments of crisis. For Filipinos, this resonates deeply with our core values of bayanihan and hospitality which are values that are passed down through generations.”
There is no intermission and there are certain creative choices made, but for the most part, the show’s creators Irene Sankoff and David Hein stayed true to the stories of the people they interviewed and did their best to capture this unique moment in history through the medium of musical theater.
“Come from Away is not just a tale of survival,” Williams emphasizes, “it’s a celebration of resilience and unity, a reflection of who we are as a people, and who we aspire to be when faced with adversity.”
2. It’s a true ensemble piece where every actor plays multiple roles.
View this post on Instagram
Come From Away only has a cast of twelve people, who play dozens more characters throughout the show, from Americans, Canadians, locals, passengers, pilots, teachers, and more, sometimes switching characters mid-scene. Even the sound effects are made by the cast, including sirens, cats, dogs, and Bonobo chimpanzees.
Changing costumes and switching roles without even leaving the stage has proven to be one of the greatest challenges of performing on this show. “I’m used to playing multiple characters, switching accents, mannerisms, and overall physicality … usually done in between scenes and off stage,” shares Carla Guevara Laforteza, “But this is the first time I have to change my ‘look’ literally within seconds, while on stage, sometimes within the same scene.”
It’s a testament not just to the versatility of the performers but also to the fact that great storytelling can be achieved through simplicity. The show’s creators also said that this reminds the audience that “we could all be in each other’s shoes – at any moment you could be helping or need to be helped.”
3. A simple set that constantly transforms
How Gander manifests on stage depends on the cast and crew’s intricate coordination. “This is an ensemble musical, and teamwork is key,” shares Menchu Launchengco-Yulo, “Considering we have no real set, collaboration is very important, especially with the chair choreography.”
The actors need to make sure that they hand each other costume pieces or props at precise moments, especially to those who cannot leave the stage. “We help each other out also during blocking and choreography by offering to move a particular set piece if we’re closer to it,” adds Guevara Laforteza, “We basically help make everything more efficient for everyone.”
Music, collaboration, and creative storytelling are thus enough to take audiences to the town of Gander, where thousands of “come-from-aways” found refuge during some of the darkest days of their lives.
4. The show boasts of some iconic Broadway bangers
No Broadway show would be complete without some unforgettable songs. And this show has a few such as “Stop the World,” “I am Here,” and the iconic, “Me and the Sky.” And these songs are made all the more powerful knowing that they are based on real people’s experiences. Fun fact: some lyrics of “Me and the Sky” are taken almost verbatim from the creators’ interviews with Beverly Bass. Bass herself has attended more than 120 performances of the show, returning with female pilots and crew, encouraging young women to follow in her footsteps.
Lauchengco-Yulo, who will be playing the role of Bass, shares that a song like “Me And The Sky” will impact audiences because it “…is about determination. About dreaming and doing everything to achieve one’s dream. This is universal… anyone who has ever had a dream and went for it will understand and connect to the song.”
5. The show is ultimately about the kindness of strangers in the midst of a tragedy.
View this post on Instagram
Ultimately, what makes the show so unmissable is its exploration of the universal themes of kindness and hospitality amidst deep tragedy. It’s a moving story of a community welcoming strangers into their homes, providing them food, shelter, comfort, and anything else they might need, during a time of despair.
This is what audiences can take with them long after watching the show. “It’s a simple, but profoundly important takeaway—especially in these very challenging times,” shares Williams, “…we must strive that other lives become better because we have lived, and that we make the world a better place for having been in it.”
And in a world where it can be easier to be cynical, a show like Come From Away reminds us that there are reasons to have hope for humanity and small acts of kindness can make a world of difference. The 7,000 strangers never forgot their experience on Gander, and that is why their story continues to be told on stage today.
Comments