#TheaterPH - Come From Away Manila: The Show That Held My Heart for 90 Minutes
I walked into the Samsung Performing Arts Theater expecting to be moved. What I didn’t expect was to be completely undone—heart cracked open, tears streaming, and smiling like a fool all at once. Come From Away, staged by GMG Productions, is not just a musical. It’s a moment. A memory. A mirror.
From the very first note, I felt like I was being pulled into something sacred. The stage was bare—no LED screens, no flashy projections, just wooden chairs and a turntable. And yet, it felt full. Alive. Like the set itself was breathing with the cast. It reminded me of the kind of storytelling I grew up with—simple, raw, and deeply human. The kind that doesn’t rely on spectacle, but on soul.
The ensemble? Unbelievable. I’ve seen a lot of theater, but this cast was something else. Twelve actors, dozens of characters, and not a single moment of hesitation. They shifted roles with such ease and empathy that I often forgot I was watching the same person. It was like watching a symphony of humanity—each performer in tune with the others, no one trying to outshine, everyone lifting the story together. I found myself whispering, “Take notes, kids,” more than once.
There was a moment—just a quiet exchange between two characters—that hit me so hard I had to clutch my chest. It wasn’t dramatic. It wasn’t loud. But it was real. And in that moment, I remembered where I was on 9/11. I remembered the fear, the confusion, the helplessness. And then I remembered the kindness. The strangers who helped. The stories of people opening their homes, their hearts. That’s what Come From Away captures so perfectly. The goodness that rises in the darkest times.
The music was another revelation. Under Rony Fortich’s direction, it felt like a living, breathing character. The harmonies were so tight, so rich, I found myself holding my breath just to take it all in. It wasn’t just accompaniment—it was storytelling in its own right. The kind that wraps around you and doesn’t let go.
And the direction by Michael Williams? Flawless. Every beat was intentional. Every silence, every glance, every movement—it all mattered. Nothing was wasted. Nothing was forgotten. It’s rare to see a production where every single detail feels loved and cared for.
By the end of the show, I was a mess. I was smiling through tears, clapping so hard my hands hurt, and feeling this overwhelming pride—not just for the cast, but for Philippine theater. This was world-class talent telling a world-class story with heart, humility, and honor.
If you’ve ever doubted the power of theater, go see Come From Away. If you’ve ever needed a reminder that people are good, go see Come From Away. If you want to see what it looks like when a cast and crew pour every ounce of themselves into something bigger than all of us—run. Don’t walk.
It’s only running until the end of June. And trust me, you’ll want to say you were there.
Comments
Post a Comment