Spectacular production of Come from Away set to land in Letterkenny

Audiences in Donegal are set for a treat next week when the Tony Winning Musical ‘Come from Away’ is brought to life in An Grianan Theatre by Letterkenny Musical Society – and there is plenty of outstanding talent on stage for a spectacular show that is smarter, funnier and far more moving than audiences ever expect.

The show tells the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town of Gander in Newfoundland, Canada, that welcomed them when 38 planes were diverted there in the wake of the September 11 attacks in 2001.

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Opening on Tuesday night, March 10 and running until Saturday, 14, Letterkenny Musical Society (LMS) will be the first amateur society to perform the much-loved musical in Donegal, Derry or Strabane – but with the talent Letterkenny Musical Society has at its disposal, there is never any doubt that their production will be anything other than superb.

Indeed, that talent once again includes Highland Radio newscaster Donal Kavanagh, making it Donal’s 26th year on stage with LMS, as he gets set to add to a string of memorable previous roles by taking on the role of Claude Elliott, the Mayor of Gander.

Another LMS stalwart, Nicola Shields, who has performed in every LMS show since 2000, is custom-made for the role of Gander school teacher Beulah Davis, while Giles Murray, a versatile and seasoned performer, will play Gander’s policeman Oz Fudge.

Letterkenny community activist Billy Banda also makes his stage debut with LMS for this stunning production, which also features the ever-reliable Declan Nee, and experienced local performers Jenny Yourell, Trish Carlin and Amy McClintock alongside another newcomer Gui Marques, who makes a telling impression with his debut performance in the role of Ali.

Sarah Terry, who played the role of Lauren in the LMS sell-out production of Kinky Boots, Morticia in The Addams Family and Mrs Teavee in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, takes on the challenging role of Captain Beverly Bass and turns in another stunning performance.

Mulroy College student Mark James Bradley will also make his LMS debut when he steps on stage in the role of Bob, a passenger initially suspicious of the hospitality shown by the people of Gander.

Famed for welcoming the very best talent from Donegal, Derry and Strabane into their shows year after year, it is precisely this that has allowed the LMS shows to earn huge popularity following masterful productions of West End and Broadway smash hits such as Nine to 5, Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar, Addams Family, Kinky Boots and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, to name but a few.

Indeed, that talent this time around also includes the multi-talented Laura Keogh from Derry, who has graced the most amazing performance platforms, as a singer and presenter, including ITV, BBC and Wembley Arena following Pop Idol fame in 2001. Laura’s portrayal of Hannah O’Rourke, a mother searching for news of her firefighter son, is one that will leave audiences amazed that this is an amateur production.

Then again, that high standard has been the hallmark of every production Letterkenny Musical Society has put on stage over the years. They also welcome back a host of show veterans such as Deigh Reid, Aoife Farmer and Patrick Moore alongside newcomers Abby Hagan and Daniel Paul McCafferty, for a show that is certain to prove a smash hit with audiences.

Come from Away, directed by Maria Rushe and produced by Noel O’Donnell with Mark Bradley as Musical Director and Emmett Stewart as choreographer, starts in An Grianan Theatre on Tuesday night March 10 - and there are a few tickets still available – but if you haven’t booked yours yet, then do so quickly – because LMS shows sell out quickly and tickets won’t be around for long.