GMG Productions to Stage Come From Away With Filipino-Led Cast
In the past, GMG Productions brought us international tours of Cats, Matilda the Musical, The Phantom of the Opera, Lion King, and The Sound of Music with a foreign team of talents. This 2025, they're bringing us another award-winning musical, but with cast and creatives from our shores: Come From Away with a Filipino-led team. It runs from June 6 to 29 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati.
"With Come From Away, GMG Productions is proud to embark on this exciting new chapter, working with a Filipino-led cast and crew for the first time," shares Carlos Candal, CEO of GMG Productions. "This production is a celebration of the incredible talent in the Philippines, and we cannot wait to share this powerful story with audiences."
It is co-produced by Stages. "I, along with Butch Jimenez and Jaeger Tanco, have had the privilege to work with GMG in the past. We’re thrilled to reveal that Stages will be co-producing Come From Away with GMG. Our collective desire has always been to produce a show championing Filipino talent with them. We all believe this is the perfect show to do just that!," said Audie Gemora, founder of Stages Productions.
Come From Away in the Aftermath of 9/11
Come From Away is set in the aftermath of the tragic September 11, 2001 incident. It tells the story of 7,000 airline passengers unexpectedly diverted and grounded in Gander, Newfoundland. The small town, with a population of less than 10,000, suddenly found itself hosting nearly double that number of unexpected guests. This unexpected convergence of cultures and personalities could have easily led to chaos, but instead, it blossomed into a remarkable tale of compassion and camaraderie.
The musical is written by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, and was first staged on Broadway in 2017. It won the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical (Christopher Ashley); the Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Jenn Colella), Outstanding Book of a Musical, the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Outstanding Broadway Musical, Outstanding Book of a Musical, Outstanding Director of a Musical, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical, and Outstanding Sound Design (Gareth Owen).
It premiered on West End in 2019, when it bagged the Laurence Olivier Awards for Best New Musical, Outstanding Achievement in Music, Best Sound Design, and Best Theatre Choreographer (Kelly Devine).
"This show offers more than just a night at the theatre; it’s an inspiring celebration of humanity and people coming together," says Candal. "It’s a story that Manila audiences will not only relate to but will also find profoundly uplifting, especially in today’s unpredictable times."
Bringing Together the Legends of Philippine Theater
The upcoming Come From Away production will feature the talents of Cathy Azanza-Dy, Caisa Borromeo, Garrett Bolden, Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante, Becca Coates, Steven Cadd, Mayen Cadd, Rycharde Everly, Topper Fabregas, Sheila Francisco, Carla Guevara Laforteza, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Gian Magdangal, George Schulze, and Chino Veguillas.Â
"Come From Away is the perfect vehicle to showcase home-grown talent as the musical requires versatile actors to play different characters," says Gemora. "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."
On the director's seat will be Michael Williams, whose list of credits spans over four decades, including being the co-artistic director of Newport World Resorts’ Full House Theater Company (Ang Huling El Bimbo, Buruguduystunstugudunstuy Ang Parokya Ni Edgar Musical). Rony Fortich will be joining him as musical director.
They are joined by Delphine Buencamino (Choreography), Harry Tabner (Lighting Designer), Luke Swaffield (Sound Designer), Kayla Teodoro (Production Designer), Myrene Santos (Hair and Makeup Designer), Hershee Tatiado (Costume Designer), and Joel Goldes, the dialect coach from the original Broadway production of Come From Away.
Come From Away Tickets
Come From Away runs from June 6 to 29 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater (S-PAT), with tickets officially available on February 22 (10 a.m.) through TicketWorld, starting at P900.
Ticket pre-sale for UnionBank of the Philippines Mastercard and Visa cardholders is from February 18 (10 a.m.) to February 20 (11:59 p.m.). Registrants of the GMG Come From Away waitlist may avail of the pre-sale access on February 21 (10 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
