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Caught the final performance of Come From Away at Samsung Performing Arts Theatre last night (June 29, 2025) at 6pm. A lot has been said about this production, and I agree with all of the praise that has been given to it. Well-deserved, all of it! 

CFA tells the true story of how Gander, a small town in Newfoundland, handled the dilemma of welcoming thousands of passengers from international flights that were diverted there immediately following the 9/11 attacks in the U.S. 

I saw the show in Melbourne and fell in love with the story and how the ensemble moved me. When I learned that it's going to be staged locally, I just couldn't miss it! I was totally looking out for who's going to be in the cast, and, boy, was I wowed! The abundance of talent!

I have seen half of the ensemble from the local staging of Stephen Sondheim's Company by Upstart Productions in 2019 (Menchu Lauchengco Yulo, Carla Guevara Laforteza, Cathy Azanza-Dy, Topper Fabregas, and Caisa Borromeo), including the show's director, Michael Stuart Williams. This basically clinched it for me. 

And then the rest of the cast came from various productions that I've seen them in, showcasing their talents: Giancarlo Magdangal, Rycharde Everley, Garrett Bolden, Sheila P. Francisco, George Schulze, Becca Faith Coates, and Stephen Cadd. 

Congratulations on a job well done! Kudos to the cast, the swings (Chino Veguillas, Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante, Mayen Bustamante-Cadd), the musical team of Rony Fortich, the design team, and the crew! This is what world-class talent is all about. 

Audie L Gemora, my friend who was with me last night was wondering if this show will even tour abroad! Will it? Will it??

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