Fayetteville, Pa. — Totem Pole Playhouse directors have announced the cast and creative team for its upcoming production of the Tony Award-winning musical “Come From Away,” running June 19 through July 4.
Filled with hope, humor, heart and humanity, “Come From Away” tells the remarkable true story of a small town in Newfoundland that welcomed thousands of stranded travelers in the days following Sept. 11. Often described as “the story of Sept. 12th,” the musical celebrates kindness, resilience and the extraordinary ways people showed up for one another during a moment of uncertainty.
The production features an accomplished cast with Broadway, national tour, Off-Broadway and regional theatre credits from across the country.
The cast includes Laura Beth Wells (Broadway: Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark) as Bonnie and others; Julie Cardia (National Tours: Les Misérables and 1776) as Beverly/Annette and others; Lamar Burns (National Tour: Tina) as Bob and others; Ray Frewen (Totem Pole Playhouse: Tuesdays with Morrie) as Claude and others; Tug Watson (Broadway: The Phantom of the Opera and Cats) as Kevin T/Garth and others; Jade Litaker (National Tour: The Sound of Music) as Hannah and others; Dante Brattelli (Off-Broadway: Don’t Vape) as Kevin J/Ali and others; Amy Decker (National Tour: The Phantom of the Opera) as Beulah and others; Olivia Corinne Allen (Penn State) as Janice and others; Scott Langdon (Walnut Street Theatre) as Nick/Doug and others; Taylor Whidden (Totem Pole Playhouse: 9 to 5, Grease) as Diane and others; and Ben Muckenthaler (Off-Broadway: Assassins) as Oz and others.
The production also features covers Rachel Landon (Theatre Harrisburg) covering Diane, Beverly, and Beulah; Kelley Alejos (National Tour: The Great American Mousical) covering Janice and Bonnie; Derek Alexander (Hersheypark) covering Nick, Claude, and Kevin J; and Geoffery Morgan (Fulton Theatre) covering Kevin T, Claude, and Nick.
“Come From Away” is directed and choreographed by Christine O’Grady (Broadway: Hair, Totem Pole Playhouse: Jersey Boys). The creative team also includes Associate Director Luke Reed (Fulton Theatre/Shakespeare & Company), Musical Director Jane Best (SIX: The Musical), Set Designer Andrue Morgan (Atomic Design), Lighting Designer Carolyn Wong (Broadway: The Lion King), Sound Designer Kate Wecker (National Tour: Menopause the Musical), Props Designer Luke Reed (Shakespeare & Company), Production Stage Manager Bethany Sortman (Broadway: Chicago), Assistant Stage Manager Mickey Acton (Broadway: Buena Vista Social Club), Dialect Coach Allegra Ritchie (Penn State), Video Designer Jack Eisenman (The Muny), Associate Lighting/Video Designer Sam Sims (Fulton Theatre), and Costume Designer Jenn Flitton Adams (Shenandoah University).
The production will also feature a live band including Galen Work on drums, Mark Hartman on fiddle, Alessandra Alcala on flutes and whistles, Joe Schaefer, Tim Crane and Michael Giblin on bass, and Mark Miller on guitar and mandolin.
“This production shows the power of community—onstage and off,” said Totem Pole leadership. “Twelve actors portray dozens of characters, working together to tell a story about people coming together in extraordinary circumstances. It’s a joyful, moving, and deeply human theatrical experience.”
Tickets are available now. Sponsored by F&M Trust.
For more information or to purchase tickets, readers may visit totempoleplayhouse.org or call the box office at 717-352-2164.
