‘Come From Away’ is a ‘homecoming’ for many PH theater giants
The cast of the Manila staging of “Come From Away.” Image: Courtesy of GMG Productions
Having the chance to perform an “incredible piece” is a wonderful opportunity for the cast of “Come From Away” in itself. Just like its story, what makes the Manila staging special is that it somehow feels like a homecoming for some of its lead stars in the theater.
“Come From Away” tells the story of stranded travelers who were forced to stay at Gander International Airport during the height of the 9/11 crisis. Finding themselves in the town of Gander in Newfoundland, Canada, allowed the travelers and residents to rediscover the meaning of home and kindness within themselves.
The lead stars might not have gone through the experience of being stranded, yet they still relate to its themes of kindness and what it means to be truly home—like returning to the theater.
“It’s been six years since I’ve last been on stage. Of course, part of my leaving was due to COVID-19, and it was very difficult,” George Schulze admitted during the musical’s media call. “This is such a special piece in the timing of what’s happening in the world right now, everybody needs hope and something to hold on to, and to remember that deep down in all of our hearts, there’s kindness in all of us.”
WATCH: The cast of the “Come From Away’s” Manila staging performs “Prayer” during a media call in Makati.
The musical’s Manila staging is dubbed as a gathering of the theater industry’s “Avengers,” as the cast includes Carla Guevera Laforteza, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Gian… pic.twitter.com/pfTvM7UOJ3
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) June 11, 2025
Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, who has shifted gears from being a theater actress to working behind the scenes, admitted that returning onstage after six years initially felt “strange” for her.
“The last show I did was in 2019, ‘Company.’ And then the pandemic hit, and that was it for me. And I started directing. This is my comeback, I’m back on stage after six years, and it feels strange,” she said.
“I was saying earlier that once the pandemic hit and everything stopped in terms of career, I really thought I was done. I thought I was just going to be directing — and I’ve been enjoying directing. But this came along, and I felt that I have to do this. I’m so honored that I was cast in this wonderful musical,” continued Lauchengco-Yulo.
Cathy Avanza-Dy understood where Schulze and Launchengco-Yulo came from, as she had also been away from the theater for quite some time. “During the pandemic, there were a lot of things that we [could’ve done] in the theater.”
“This is like a homecoming for many of us because we’ve been working with each other at different points in our careers,” she continued. “I feel like in this configuration, I’ve gotten to work with everybody. It’s been great, and when we’re in the middle of the show, you feel at home and you’re like with a family.”
Returning without doubt
Stephen Cadd has been away from the local theater scene and the Philippines for a long time. This explains why he has to readjust himself completely, but being welcomed back into a community full of “dynamic energy” made things easier.
“I have been away from the theater and the Philippines for quite a while. We have been back in the country, and we have been embraced again by the Philippine theater community, which is exploding in dynamic [energy],” he said.
“Getting back into the groove is not easy, but once you’re surrounded by this kind of cast, they set the bar so high. It’s sink or swim; you just have to be there,” he further added.
‘YOU ARE THERE AND I AM HERE’
WATCH: Carla Guevara-Laforteza captivated the press with a performance of “I Am Here” during the “Come From Away” media call on June 4.
Guevara-Laforteza will take on the role of Hannah and others in the musical’s Manila staging. | @HMallorcaINQ pic.twitter.com/KGIZNwG5iE
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) June 5, 2025
For Rycharde Everley’s part, he has since embraced a different career path, but it was the story of “Come From Away” that made him want to return to the stage.
“I left the theater and started a whole new career, but this show is just too special. It is such an incredible piece about theater and understanding, which we especially need at the moment,” he said. “[It is also about] the chance to work with these people. It’s just too good not to pass up, and it’s such an incredible opportunity to come back.”
Created by David Hein and Irene Sankoff, the original staging of “Come From Away” won Best Direction of a Musical at the Tony Awards in 2017. Some of its notable songs include “I Am Here,” “Welcome To The Rock,” “Darkness and Trees,” and “Me and the Sky,” to name a few.
Also part of the cast are Caisa Borromeo, Carla Guevera Laforteza, Sheila Francisco, Rebecca Coates, Garrett Bolden, Gian Magdangal, Topper Fabregas, Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante, Chino Veguillas, and Mayen Bustamante-Cadd. The musical’s Manila staging will run from June 6 to 29. /cb
