Abigail January 10th, 2020
Come From Away is getting ready to welcome ten new cast members to The Rock on the 10th of February. The musical is also gearing up to celebrate one year in the West End!
Joining the company will be Tarinn Callender (Hamilton) as Bob, James Doherty as Calude, Alice Fearn (Wicked) as Beverly/Annette, Kate Graham as Diane, Alasdair Harvey as Nick/Doug and Ricardo Castro, Stuart Hickey, Sorelle Marsh, Micha Richardson and Matthew Whennell-Clark.
They'll be joining continuing members Jenna Boyd as Beulah, Mary Doherty as Bonnie, Mark Dugdale as Kevin T/Garth, Jonathan Andrew Hume as Kevin J/Ali, Harry Morrison as Oz, Emma Salvo as Janice, Cat Simmons as Hannah and Chiara Baronti, Alexander McMorran and Jennifer Tierney.
Come From Away features a book, music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, direction by Christopher Ashle and choreography by Kelly Devine. The musical, which transferred from Broadway, garnered four Olivier awards including the Best New Musical award at the 2019 awards.
Based on true events, Come From Away follows the events of September 11th, 2001, when, far away from New York, 38 transatlantic flights are grounded in the small town of Gander, New Foundland. With the US airspace closed, 7000 people emerge from the planes into a surreal reality, and despite almost doubling the town's population, are welcomed with open hearts, minds and arms.
Although the horrors of that day are all too familiar, this is a story of hope told from the perspective of a handful of passengers and Gander residents, who wholeheartedly welcomed the stranded travellers into their homes - and into their lives. Among the characters are American Airlines' first female pilot, a gay couple both called Kevin, and an Egyptian chef, who fears a frosty reception from the community - only to be proved wrong entirely. Weaving together all of their storylines, the show creates an affirming portrait of human connection in the most trying of circumstances.
Come From Away is now playing at the Phoenix Theatre.
it takes all of ten seconds to be in its generous embrace...It calls for quicksilver, charismatic acting and singing. It gets it from this versatile cast. It's an evening that, frankly, gets everything right.
The Times
