COME FROM AWAY Reviews- Page 7

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/30/17 at 2:15pm

Caught this yesterday with my 16 year old who (obviously) only knows of 9/11 as a moment in history.  We were both entirely invested, moved, humored and totally entertained.  What an absolutely delightful show.

[binau]

Posted: 4/30/17 at 3:06pm

How cool was it when they made the seamless transitions between the ATCs, pilots and (if I recall correctly) the passengers. I know this is a rather minor point to make but still. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/30/17 at 3:33pm

Oh...those transitions were incredible!

 

Add my program to the list of places that can't wait for this to be available to produce!   I would expect (hope) that there is no requirement to keep casting to only the dozen actors as in this....so much promise here.  I could see giving you "stars" maybe two roles each and flesh out some of the smaller roles to an ensemble.  The possiblities are endless.

 

Does anyone know exactly HOW many roles are being covered by the cast of 12?

 

[HSky]

Posted: 4/30/17 at 3:55pm

Just based on how people are listed in the liner note lyrics (yeah, I'm a geek and tried to map it out), each of the 12 tracks had at least 5 or so distinct credited characters but there would be others that aren't apparent just by looking at that (like the ATC scene or Plane 1 or Plane 2 passengers with no lyrics). Interviews have said dozens but I'm not sure if I've seen a definite number.

Updated On: 4/30/17 at 03:55 PM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 4/30/17 at 5:31pm

Now having seen the show 3 times, I'm now able to notice these small things/transitions each actor does.  It's amazing where they hide some of their small props/ costume pieces.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/30/17 at 7:45pm

Wow, thanks for sharing that info HSky.   I was thinking 3 or 4....but your number  makes sense.  

[MyLife]

Posted: 4/30/17 at 9:02pm

I have to ask, what is ATC?

[binau]

Posted: 4/30/17 at 9:06pm

Air Traffic Controllers. 

[HSky]

Posted: 4/30/17 at 10:18pm

dramamama611 said: "Wow, thanks for sharing that info HSky.  I was thinking 3 or 4....but your number makes sense."

If I can somehow compile my chicken scratch into something legible, I'll post the character lists I've pieced together, which were more complicated than I expected. For example, during "24 Hours/Wherever We Are," based on how lyrics are credited on the cast recording, Geno Carr (his track I guess would be internally numbered as #7) is Passenger 7 for some lines early in the song and Joey when singing about the complimentary liquor. I never would have guessed two characters just in that segment, but there are similar instances like #2 (Q. Smith) having at least two different named townspeople (Micky drives the bus, Margie is when the ladies are collecting supplies).

I'd guess #12 (Lee MacDougall) potentially has the fewest characters, partly because it's the only track not appearing in "Prayer."

I'm hoping the libretto gets published so I can geek out more trying to unravel the tracks because I think it's fascinatingly put together with only 12 actors. (My appreciation for the swings in a show like this is immense.)

Updated On: 4/30/17 at 10:18 PM

[rebeccmam31]

Posted: 5/1/17 at 6:15am

dramamama611 said: "Caught this yesterday with my 16 year old who (obviously) only knows of 9/11 as a moment in history.  We were both entirely invested, moved, humored and totally entertained.  What an absolutely delightful show."

I can't wait to take my kid (15) and her friends to this. We live about two miles from the Flight 93 crash site, so the kids are very aware of the events of 9/11, but as my daughter has said, it doesn't feel entirely real to them.  I think it will be interesting to put a bit of a "face" on the events for them.  Plus I just love the show on its own merits and think my "kids" will, too. :)

[ACL2006]

Posted: 5/1/17 at 8:02am

I don't know how the swings/understudies are able to know all five of their tracks. Each track is so detailed, that one missed prop, blocking or line can throw off the whole show.

[MyLife]

Posted: 5/1/17 at 8:48am

HSky said: "I'm hoping the libretto gets published so I can geek out more trying to unravel the tracks because I think it's fascinatingly put together with only 12 actors. (My appreciation for the swings in a show like this is immense.)"

Totally something I would/will geek out about too!

[ACL2006]

Posted: 5/7/17 at 10:17am

Just something I noticed once the Tony nominations came out is that CFA raised tickets for the second time. The demand is there & it will only increase. For previews, ticket prices ranged from $159 - $49 with premium seats up to $199. Once the show opened, prices were raised slightly to $169 - $69 with premium seats going up to $249. Now tickets range from $179 - $84.50 with premium seats has high as $299. Tickets are very limited for the next month, so I understand the need to raise prices. This will also limit the amount of rush seats being offered for every show and make SRO more difficult to obtain. I believe the discount that was available is now no longer valid.

[HennySlay]

Posted: 9/1/17 at 11:51am

Alex Finke is the new Janice/Others. She posted about it on her instagram. If you don't know she was the final Cosette in the last Les Miz revival and just completed playing Johanna in Sweeney Todd off Broadway. 

[broadwaysfguy]

Posted: 6/8/18 at 2:52pm

bumping this thread
just saw cfa last night after seeing obc last may and really enjoying the show.
most of original cast still in other than Kendra.

i walked away astounded at the brillliance of this show and also new appreciation for how totally funny this show is. the genius of overlaying so much humor and human kindness to an event that profoundly traumatized anyone alive at the time is stunning.
the songs integrate seamlessly into the plot and while there are not many truly memorable songs other than welcome to the rock and me and the sky, each song is beautiful in its own way. minimalist set and clever set and multicharacter utilization of cast. memorable characters you care about.
come from away is now solidly in my top 10 all time musicals of the 200 plus ive seen.

if you havent seen it yet go and see it in nyc, on tour or london.

bravo!!
 

Updated On: 6/9/18 at 02:52 PM

[broadwaysfguy]

Posted: 6/8/18 at 2:52pm

bumping this thredad
just saw cfa last night after seeinn obc last may and really enjoying the show.
most of original cast still in other than Kendra.

i walked away astounded at the brillliance of this show and also new appreciation for how totally funny this show is. the genius of overlaying so much humor and human kindness to an event that profoundly traumatized anyone alive at the time is stunning.
the songs integrate seamlessly into the plot and while there are not many truly memorable songs other than welcome to the rock and me and the sky, each song is beautiful in its own way. minimalist set and clever set and multicharacter utilization of cast. memorable characters you care about.
come from away is now solidly in my top 10 all time musicals of the 200 plus ive seen.

if you havent seen it yet go and see it in nyc, on tour or london.

bravo!!

[Fosse76]

Posted: 6/8/18 at 3:34pm

broadwaysfguy said: "bumping this thredad
just saw cfa last night after seeinn obc last may and really enjoying the show.
most of original cast still in other than Kendra."
 

That's not entirely correct. In addition to two of the original swings in the show having left (one is about to leave if she hasn't already), Rodney Hicks left the show early in its run. 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 6/8/18 at 4:58pm

Yes Hicks and Kassenbaum left already. And two swings have left, Sue Dunstan(for the Toronto production) and Tamika Lawrence. Josh Breckenridge is also set to leave shortly. They've added Pearl Sun and Jane Bunting as swings/standbys.

[broadwaysfguy]

Posted: 6/9/18 at 8:15am

thanks acl and fosse for the additional cast change info.

and for a large ensemble cast like this having MOST of the original cast members still in 

is a treat. and Kendra and Hicks replacements were fantastic!

[ACL2006]

Posted: 6/9/18 at 9:27am

The cast frequently talks about how they feel like a family and how the audience keeps the show fresh. I love hearing cast stories about various stage door experiences.

[ModernMillie3]

Posted: 10/17/19 at 3:40pm

For those interested, Jenn Colella's last day is November 10th. What an incredible run she has had. 

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 10/17/19 at 3:58pm

Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/B3uqg7eJ26K/

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 10/17/19 at 3:59pm

Wonder who will replace her. Becky Gulsvig departed the tour recently and I could see her making the transition to the broadway cast pretty easily.

[Kitsune]

Posted: 10/17/19 at 4:30pm

Becky was excellent on the tour. Jenn's understudy, Julie Reiber Bennett, is also great. 

I missed Jenn the first time I saw CFA on Broadway, so I'm really glad I was able to catch her when I went in September.

[PrinceAli]

Posted: 10/17/19 at 4:39pm

It is Becky. :) Great talent right there. Gonna miss Jenn though. 

Updated On: 10/17/19 at 04:39 PM