‘Come From Away’ to feature Filipino-led cast, crew in Manila run

The cast and crew of the Manila staging of “Come From Away.” Images: Courtesy of GMG Productions

David Hein and Irene Sankoff’s Broadway musical “Come From Away” is scheduled to be staged in Manila in June, and will be composed of a Filipino-led cast and crew.

Set a week after 9/11, “Come From Away” tells the story of how the residents of Gander, Newfoundland took care of 7,000 stranded travelers after 38 planes unexpectedly landed at the Gander International Airport.

The musical made its debut on Broadway in New York in 2017 and has brought home several accolades including a Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical in the same year and a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theater Album in 2018, to name a few.

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The cast of the upcoming Manila run includes Carla Guevara Laforteza, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Gian Magdangal, Cathy Azanza-Dy, Caisa Borromeo, Garrett Bolden, Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante, Becca Coates, Steven Cadd, Mayen Cadd, Rycharde Everly, Topper Fabregas, Sheila Francisco, George Schulze, and Chino Veguillas, per a press statement.

The musical, which is a joint production between GMG Productions and Stages Productions, is said to be the “perfect vehicle” to display Filipino talent, according to the latter company’s founder and theater actor Audie Gemora.

“‘Come From Away’ is the perfect vehicle to showcase home-grown talent as the musical requires versatile actors to play different characters. Let me tell you, we have assembled the best of the best Philippine theater has to offer. The energy surrounding this production is through the roof! This is going to be epic,” Gemora said.

The Philippine production will be directed by Michael Williams while Rony Fortich will serve as the musical director. Also joining is Joel Goldes, who was the dialect coach of the musical’s original Broadway production.

“This show is a testament to the power of community—how kindness, resilience, and human connection bring hope even in the darkest times. I’m thrilled to work with some of the most talented artists in Philippine theater to bring our passion and storytelling to this incredible production,” Williams said.

The musical will be staged from June 6 to 29 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Makati.