Latest news with #ComeFromAway


Globe and Mail
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Globe and Mail
At the centre of Trump's America, Come From Away takes on a newly political edge
At the centre of Trump's America, Come From Away takes on a new political edge Aisling Murphy Theatre The Globe and Mail Audience members watch a performance of Come From Away at the Muny in St. Louis, Mo., on June 26. Theo R. Welling/The Globe and Mail to view this content.


GMA Network
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
'Come From Away' to hold sign language-interpreted show for Deaf community on June 27
The Philippine staging of "Come From Away" is set to hold a sign language-interpreted performance for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community on Friday. According to GMG Productions, they partnered with the Center for Education Advancement of the Deaf (CEAF) for the special show, which will take place on June 27, 8 p.m., at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati "A dedicated section in the orchestra area has been reserved exclusively for our Deaf and hard-of-hearing community and their companions for this performance," GMG Productions added. The Deaf and hard-of-hearing community and their companions are also entitled to a 20% ticket discount, with Persons with Disability (PWD) discounts applicable on top of the promo. The Tony and Olivier Award-winning musical is based on the true story of 7,000 airline passengers who were grounded in the small town of Gander in Newfoundland, Canada in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. An inspiring tale of community and humanity, it tells the story of Gander's residents as they welcome these "come from aways" into their lives and homes and take care of them. Kapuso Soul Balladeer Garrett Bolden stars in the musical's Philippine staging, alongside Gian Magdangal, Cathy Azanza-Dy, Caisa Borromeo, Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Carla Guevara Laforteza, and more. "Come From Away" runs until June 29. Tickets. —CDC, GMA Integrated News


GMA Network
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
'Come From Away': Remembering 9/11, where kindness took flight, through Filipino voices
There's a moment, about five minutes into "Come From Away," where it's easy to forget you're watching a musical. You forget the stage, the lights, even the actors. You fall headfirst into a story that isn't trying to impress you—it's trying to heal you. And here's the thing: it's not about us, but it is. A story about other people, ending up being about all of us On September 11, 2001, the world stopped. Thousands of planes were grounded mid-air. In a remote town called Gander in Newfoundland, 38 planes carrying almost 7,000 strangers suddenly landed, unannounced. The town's population nearly doubled overnight. No one had planned for this. But instead of panic, there was coffee. And hot meals. And strangers making beds for other strangers. People giving up their phones, their clothes, their time. It wasn't perfect. There were fights, there was fear, but there was also grace—a quiet, unexpected grace that stretched across cultures, languages, and broken hearts. That's what "Come From Away" is about. And watching it in the Philippines, told by Filipino actors on a Filipino stage, adds a layer so personal, it leaves a lump in your throat that doesn't go away. This cast isn't just performing—they're remembering You don't watch this ensemble. You watch fifteen souls remembering something for the rest of us. Each of them plays multiple roles—Newfoundlanders, stranded travelers, pilots, bus drivers, mothers, lovers, leaders. But you never lose track. They move like breath. They shape-shift like memory. One second, they're handing out sandwiches; the next, they're breaking down in a school gym, trying to call home, trying to believe this isn't the end of the world. Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, as Captain Beverley Bass, sings 'Me and the Sky'—a song about chasing dreams, flying through ceilings, and then watching those dreams crash on the same day the planes did. It's not just a solo. It's a reckoning. And it hits you like you've heard it from your mother, your sister, yourself. Carla Guevara Laforteza is heartbreaking as Hannah, the mother waiting for news of her firefighter son. Her grief is quiet and full of ache—the kind you don't perform, the kind you carry in your spine. This isn't a musical with solos and showstoppers. It's a wave. Everyone rises, everyone falls, together. It's funny, until it's not. Then it's beautiful. Filipino voices, global story, same heart There's something haunting about watching Filipinos tell this story. Because haven't we, as a people, always opened our homes in the middle of storms? Haven't we always offered food, water, warmth, even when we had so little to begin with? In Gander, the townspeople gave everything they had—not because they were rich or powerful, but because they were kind. And what "Come From Away" teaches us is that kindness doesn't need permission. It just is. You watch this show in Manila, and you feel like you're watching yourself. Your lola making extra rice. Your neighbor handing out candles during brownouts. Strangers becoming family because that's what's needed. And this cast—this breathtaking, disciplined, brilliant cast—carries that truth in their bones. They remind you that compassion isn't cultural. It's human. When the final note is sung and the lights go up, the audience doesn't jump to their feet out of habit. It's not the kind of standing ovation that feels polite. It's the kind that comes from gratitude. From being gutted and lifted in the same breath. The applause goes on for minutes. Not because the audience wants to be heard, but because they want to say thank you- for making us feel something that deep. That clean and honest. "Come From Away" doesn't tell a story with villains. There's no hero's arc. No fireworks. Just people, placed in an impossible situation, who choose decency. It's not flashy. It's not loud. But it stays with you. Let" Come From Away" break you open in the best way. Let it remind you of who you are when everything else is stripped away. Let it show you that there is still tenderness in this world. Still music. Still people who say, 'You are not alone. You can stay here as long as you need.' And when you leave the theater, don't just clap. Be that kindness. Be that hope. Be the person who remembers what it means to come from away—and be welcomed anyway. "Come From Away" runs until June 29, 2025, at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati. This production also marks a milestone in Philippine theater as this is the first Filipino-led show from GMG Productions, brought to life by a stellar cast that includes Cathy Azanza-Dy, Caisa Borromeo, Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Gian Magdangal, Carla Guevara Laforteza, Garrett Bolden, among others. The ensemble of 15 actors portrays approximately 84 characters, showcasing their remarkable versatility through lightning-fast transitions, distinct accents, and layered emotional beats—an extraordinary feat that speaks to the cast's depth and precision. Ticket prices range from P952.20 to P5,819 and can be purchased via the Ticketworld website. —JCB, GMA Integrated News

Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Maine Legislature approves bill to curb price gouging for concert tickets
Jun. 13—The Maine Legislature has passed a bill that performing arts venues say could help fans avoid scams, surprise fees and overpriced tickets. LD 913 requires ticket sellers to clearly disclose all fees upfront. It also bans the use of bots to bypass ticket limits and fake websites that mimic real venues. It prohibits vendors from selling speculative tickets — tickets they don't already own or that haven't gone on sale yet — and requires resellers to issue refunds for counterfeit tickets. The bill will now go to Gov. Janet Mills for consideration. She has 10 days to either sign the bill, veto it or allow it to become law without her signature. A spokesperson for her office on Friday did not say how she would act on this legislation. "It just is really about keeping our creative economy dollars circulating locally," said Mollie Cashwell, director of the Cultural Alliance of Maine, which supported the bill. Performing arts organizations of all kinds told lawmakers that their patrons are struggling to keep up with the secondary market. Maggie LaMee, director of finance and administration at the Ogunquit Playhouse, said the theater regularly gets calls from patrons who are upset because they spent hundreds of dollars on a seat. The staff has to tell those callers that they were tricked into paying an inflated price through a reseller — the Ogunquit Playhouse didn't sell any tickets for the recent show of "Come From Away" for more than $160. And the extra money those patrons spent doesn't go to the local arts organizations or nearby businesses. "This legislation addresses the deceptive practices that are harming the consumer and then also harming the venue," LaMee said. Lauren Wayne, president of the State Theatre Presents in Portland, said bad actors use bots to scoop up hundreds of tickets at a time and then resell them for much more than their face value on websites that are made to look like the venue's. Even worse, the box office sometimes sees tickets that are just plain fake. At last year's sold-out Gracie Abrams concert, for example, Wayne said young women were crying outside the show when they realized their tickets were counterfeit. The State Theatre planned for scams and reserved seats for those fans, but the business and the artist had to eat the cost. Should the bill become law, the Maine Office of the Attorney General could enforce violations as unfair trade practices. Anyone in violation could be subject to a civil penalty of no more than $5,000. A federal law is supposed to prevent automated bots from buying tickets, but concert promoters say it's rarely enforced. Wayne said she won't hesitate to turn to state officials instead. "We'll be reporting all the violations that we know about, which we can easily find through our ticketing site and because we've been doing this for so long," Wayne said. "We have no qualms about having the attorney general's information handy and readily available to hand out at shows." "Buying a ticket to see your favorite band or team shouldn't feel like navigating a trap," Senate President Mattie Daughtry, D-Brunswick, sponsor of the bill, said in a news release. "This legislation puts power back in the hands of consumers by ensuring transparency, banning deceptive practices, and protecting Mainers from scams. Maine people love live music and supporting our local Maine venues, which are the heart of so many of our communities. Everyone deserves to know what they're paying for — no surprises, no hidden fees, just fun." The Housing and Economic Development Committee worked with arts organizations on the amended version that passed both chambers of the Legislature this week. "LD 913 will be a meaningful step toward preserving Maine's rich, independent live events culture and protecting the venues, artists, and fans that make it special," said Rep. Cassie Julia, D-Waterville, who sponsored the committee amendment. Copy the Story Link We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others. We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion. You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs. Show less


GMA Network
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
June theater calendar: A month of must-see productions
This June, Manila's stages are alive with global musicals, heartfelt dramas, bold queer stories, and fresh theatrical voices. And since we're already in the rainy season, instead of battling traffic and puddles, why not stay dry and cozy inside a theater? From larger-than-life musicals to soul-stirring one-acts, Manila's June theater lineup proves that the stage is as alive and diverse as ever. So grab your tickets, bring a friend (or go solo—why not?), and take shelter in stories that move, entertain, and inspire. After all, there's no better cure for gloomy skies than the magic of live performance. If you're in the mood for Broadway journeys, emotional dramas, or dance spectacles, here are the shows bringing the spotlight to life. Come From Away June 6–29 • Samsung Performing Arts Theater, Circuit Makati Tickets: P952.20 to P5,819 via TicketWorld The internationally acclaimed Broadway musical returns with an all-Filipino cast, including Cathy Azanza-Dy, Caisa Borromeo, and Kapuso stars Gian Magdangal and Garrett Bolden. Set in the days following 9/11, "Come From Away" tells the true story of a small Canadian town that welcomed over 7,000 passengers diverted to Newfoundland after the tragedy. Choosing June 6–15 • Doreen Black Box, Ateneo de Manila University Tickets: P1,500 via Ticket2Me This intimate queer drama, co-written by Liza Diño and Ice Seguerra explores love, identity, and personal choice through deeply personal storytelling. Virgin Labfest XX: Hinog June 11–29 • Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, Cultural Center of the Philippines Tickets: Available via TicketWorld Now in its 20th year, the Virgin Labfest celebrates bold new writing with 12 fresh one-act plays, three revisited works, and four staged readings. It continues to serve as a vital platform for emerging Filipino playwrights and experimental theatre. ART June 13–21 • REP Eastwood Theater, Quezon City Tickets: P3,000 (Orchestra Center), P2,500 (Orchestra Side) via TicketWorld Repertory Philippines presents Yasmina Reza's Tony and Olivier Award-winning comedy about three friends whose bond is tested over a seemingly blank painting. With Martin Sarreal, Brian Sy, and Freddy Saywer, this sharp and funny production questions taste, friendship, and the value of art. Dalaga na si Maxie Oliveros: A Drag Musical Extravaganza June 13–22 • Illumination Studio, Makati Tickets: P1,000 (General Admission), P1,500 (VIP) via Ticket2Me Maxie Oh returns in glittering form in this drag musical inspired by "Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros." Rising drag star Jamila Rivera leads a vibrant cast in a production that goes beyond Pride to explore queer joy, resilience, and authenticity. Bawat Bonggang Bagay June 14–22 • Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater Tickets: P1,500 via Ticket2Me Jon Santos brings heartfelt humor and emotional depth to this Filipino adaptation of "Every Brilliant Thing." Tackling mental health with warmth and compassion, the solo performance lists life's small joys as reasons to keep going. Grace June 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29 • PETA Theater Center Tickets: P1,800 (Regular), P1,500 (Student) via Ticket2Me Floy Quintos' final play delves into the controversial 1948 Marian apparitions in Lipa, Batangas. With a stellar cast including Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino and Stella Cañete-Mendoza, "Grace" is a thoughtful meditation on belief, memory, and institutional doubt. Delia D.: A Musical Featuring the Songs of Jonathan Manalo Until June 28 • Newport Performing Arts Theater Tickets: P1,000 to P3,500 via TicketWorld Delia, a bold and ambitious drag queen, takes center stage in this original musical featuring the hits of Jonathan Manalo. Played by Phi Palmos, Delia's story is one of dreams, chosen families, and the courage to live out loud. —MGP, GMA Integrated News