So Popera Productions: Come From Away - Review by Benjamin Olivera

Some might say that not seeing this show before today’s viewing would be criminal, however I am very glad that I had no real solid idea of what the show was about because it meant that I could be truly blown away by the talent that graced the IPAC stage during So Popera Production’s performance of Come From Away. I must tip my hat to Director Amy Larsson for her genius in staging whilst also bringing incredible musicality to the on-stage band with her unique instrumental skills. Not only that but Larsson also skilfully headed up the costume and wig design with her legendary crew at So Popera, making a show that not only sounds amazing but looks just as good. I always find that you can see the true heart of the show by looking at the passion of the production team. Seeing the director, musical director, and assistant musical director all a part of the onstage band, smiles beaming and exuding high energy made it evident that this show truly was a labour of love and that there was a lot of pride in their performers as well. Musical Director Peter Copeland and Assistant Musical Director/Conductor Rowan Keyes brought a well-polished team to the stage to handle the complex stylings of both contemporary musical theatre and folk genres with ease. Extra kudos to the drummer Alana Wood who kept a steady and engaging rhythm throughout the show, pushing the plot forward and keeping audiences hooked without them even realising. That is true musicality right there.

With all of these incredible creatives that contributed to the success of the production, it’s no wonder that they have the talented cast to back it up. Seasoned performer Damien Leith heads up this stellar cast as Claude, the charming mayor of the town. His characterisation was flawless from start to end, engaging audiences and immersing them in the world of Gander from the first word. Anne-Marie Fanning is charming as the resident teacher of Gander, providing audiences with comic relief and being a real touchstone to the visitors to her town. She is able to effortlessly shift accents whilst also captivatingly navigating the various acting beats required for such a versatile collection of roles. Jennifer Turnbull took to the stage with her So Popera debut extremely confidently with the vocal chops to back it up. Her clear training and understanding of the voice was evident as she had audiences in the palm of her hand with her heart-warming characterisation and amazing rendition of “Me and the Sky”. Naisa Lasalosi brought a sense of experienced versatility to the role of Bob and others, resulting in a rich cultural experience within the show and also some contemporary vocals to die for. I was pleasantly surprised that he made choices that were different to the original recordings as they can tend to restrict the artist creativity. Brad Facey played alongside Narres and provided vocals that just soared throughout the auditorium. He was able to play many different people with ease and filled every one of his characters with humour, passion and emotion, captivating everyone at every step of the way. He strongly lead the cast through the song “The Prayer”, featuring one of my favourite childhood hymns, and was able to bring audiences to a reverent and awe-filled silence.

Jennifer Bond is quiet yet bold in her portrayal of Bonnie and others, one that can only be executed by a seasoned performer who knows how to portray and evoke a wide emotional spectrum. Tanya Boyle exudes her Texan energy as Diane, stealing my attention at multiple times throughout the show with her killer vocals, clear diction and emotional characterisations.  April-Marie Neho made me cry… TWICE! Oh my goodness, I was hooked on her story from the moment she started speaking and I was in awe of her classical vocal training that was able to add to the emotional depth of the characters journey. Molly Margaret Stewart is a comedy genius and had the audience in the palm of her hands with her role as Janice as the fresh-on-the-job reporter. She was able to ground the story well throughout the show and paired that with some fantastic vocals alongside. John Michael Narres captivated the audience with his portrayal of many of the hardest characters in the show. Many of his characters had more internalised emotion meaning that he had to find other ways of telling his story in more nuanced ways. Narres executed them all with ease and precision and it is a performance he should be extremely proud of. Chae Rogan was a highlight showcased a masterclass in versatility on the stage playing characters that ranges from a vulnerable Jewish man to a sexy, rambunctious Spanish teacher. His versatility was paired with stellar tenor vocals and come physicalised character choices that had me doubling over laughing. Geoff Stone had the tough job of having to navigate the widest range of accents in the show and yet he did so with ease. Seeing him navigate complex scenarios of air traffic control and falling back in love with Diane was sweet to see and really brought a sense of joy amongst some of the sadder moments within the show.

My one critique of the show was that the audio mixing was at times overwhelming from an audience perspective and sometimes throughout, ensemble vocals would drown out any solo dialogue lines which are underneath making the story occasionally hard to follow. Finally, I would love to make a special mention to Jasmine Rizk and her crew for a lighting design that was meaningful, story-enhancing and all-round spectacular to witness. Not often am I left speechless by lighting choices but this show has got to be one of the best, professional or otherwise.

Ultimately, these are the stories of real people that brings a new perspective to a day in history that is often overshadowed by sadness and fear. There are multiple different characters that talk about different journeys and so it truly is a show that caters to anyone at any stage in life. So come on down to the rock (IPAC) this week! They will gladly welcome you but be sure to get yourself a ticket before they’re all sold out!