‘Come From Away’ @ Casa Mañana

Show photos by Walt Burns photography (and the real-life pilot Beverley Bass at lower right!)

—Jan Farrington

I know a fella…who doesn’t like musicals.

But he loves Come From Away—sees it every chance he gets—and I’m quite sure he’d be in line for a ticket to Casa Mañana’s own fine production, which tells this true story with all the energy and heart he (and we) could want.

CFA, of course, tells the extraordinary tale of how the people of Gander, Newfoundland (a remote town on a coastal island just off eastern Canada) cared for and comforted more than 7,000 people from around the world on September 11, 2001—passengers on airplanes stranded there when the United States closed its airspace for fear of more attacks.

Casa’s cast includes more than a few performers who’ve done the show on Broadway or in the first national tour, plus some familiar North Texas theater names—and a fine onstage band led by music director Matthew Stern. Rob Bissinger’s set design is simple but beautiful, with tall silvery trees arcing high above the action (Newfoundland is mostly forest!), and chairs and boxes standing in for just about everything else. It works, and it never weighs down a show that needs to move every minute.

Director/choreographer Eugenio Contenti gives the production’s a terrific sense of movement and rhythmic energy. The dozen actors are constantly on the go: scenes shift every few moments, actors change costume pieces to become new characters—and instead of confusion, Contenti creates a constantly engaging dance. Groups of performers move fluidly through the transitions: pub chairs become airplane seats, townspeople become passengers—all of it accomplished as part of the musical heartbeat of the show. Just one simple moment I noticed: when a crowd of actors had to become “somebody else” in a flash, there was a tiny pause…and then one by one, each swirled a jacket or sweater over their heads in a beautiful arc, and slipped it on…but with such style!

The ensemble of twelve is a marvel—professionals all—but if I had to choose standouts in the crowd…. Mary Callanan as Beulah is a zone of comfort and heart, especially in her dealings with NYC mom Hannah (Cherish Love), who is desperately seeking word of her son, a fireman in the city. (And it’s lovely to hear Love’s voice ring out, too.) Sharon Wheatley as Janice (she played the role on Broadway) and Chamblee Ferguson as Englishman Nick are heart-tugging charmers—two strangers who find themselves in an unexpected romance.

We get comedy (and some nicely serious moments) from Eddie Korbich and Will Stotts as the mayor of Gander (and other towns) and Oz, “the go-to guy” of the island. Their island accents and comic timing are great. Braxton O. Johnson is touching and funny as Bob, a Black city guy who’s creeped out by these too-friendly Canadians; his slow warming up to them feels true…and hilarious.

Likewise, a couple both named Kevin (Jeremy Woodard and Trey DeLuna—who memorably plays a misunderstood Muslim passenger as well) wonder if they’re the only “gays” around…and learn a lot. (Among a cast of fine singers, Woodard stands out whenever he sings; I’d like to hear more from him.) Kelsey Jordan Ward’s Janice finds purpose in shepherding lots of animals who were on the planes—particularly a very pregnant chimp mamma—and Rachel Rice plays first-day news reporter Bonnie, who’s nervous but determined to let the world hear about this story.

And rich-voiced Christina DeCicco plays pioneering American pilot Beverley Bass (a Texan and TCU alum, btw), whose soaring number “Me and the Sky” tells us her life story. Both DeCicco and the backup singers joining her give this “belter” of a song plenty of heart.

If you haven’t seen Come From Away, now’s the time. If you’ve seen and loved it before, go again to feel the warm welcome, the kindness, the way people can be at their best. It’s been a quarter century since those days, terrible and enlightening. Time to visit them again, perhaps.

WHEN: May 30-June 7, 2026
WHERE: Casa Mañana, 3101 W Lancaster Avenue, Fort Worth
WEB: https://casamanana.org/