Ford's Theatre reveals cast and creative team for Come From Away
Ford's Theatre Director Paul R. Tetreault has announced the cast and creative team of the Tony Award-winning musical Come From Away, which returns to Ford's Theatre ten years after its acclaimed debut on the historic stage. The production will be presented September 10-October 18, 2026, as the nation marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11.
"We are honored to welcome Come From Away back to Ford's Theatre at such a meaningful moment," said Tetreault. "Ten years after this remarkable musical first premiered on our stage, its message of compassion, resilience and the extraordinary kindness people can show one another feels as powerful as ever. As we commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11, this production reminds us that even in our darkest moments, hope can be found through community, generosity and our shared humanity. It is a story that calls on the better angels of our nature and reflects Ford's Theatre's mission of exploring the American experience through theatre, history and education."
Come From Away, with book, music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, tells the heartwarming true story of the 6,579 airline passengers stranded in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, after 38 planes were diverted there on September 11, 2001. As the town's population nearly doubled overnight, its residents opened their homes and hearts to strangers from around the world, offering food, shelter and friendship. Featuring a stirring folk- and rock-inspired score, the musical celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of kindness in the face of tragedy.
Creative Team
Irene Sankoff and David Hein (Book, Music & Lyrics): are the Olivier-award winning, Tony and Grammy nominated, Canadian writing team behind the worldwide award-winning hit musical Come From Away, currently playing to over 100 countries on Apple TV+, and around the world. Their first show, My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding, based on David's mother's true story, has won Best Musical awards across North America, with Sankoff and Hein performing in many productions. Together, they have written for Disney, Netflix, Warner Bros., HBO and the CW as well as Marvel Comics and the Canadian government. They are the recipients of the FourFreedoms Good Neighbor Award and the Meritorious Service Cross of Canada which recognizes Canadians' exceptional accomplishments.
Kevin S. McAllister (Director): is a director, actor, singer, former professor, and Artistic Director/Co-Founder of ArtsCentric. He has directed over 50 productions for ArtsCentric. Outside of the DMV, he serves as the Assistant Director Fellow for the national tour and Broadway production of Come From Away. He has won two Helen Hayes Awards for acting (including Ford's Ragtime) and has been nominated for eight. He can also be heard on the recent Broadway revival cast recording of Caroline, or Change where he portrayed The Dryer and The Bus. When not on stage, he works regularly with young minds around the country as a clinician.
Katy Tabb (Choreographer): Select Choreography & Direction: 5th Ave.: Spring Awakening, Sweeney Todd; Village Theatre: 9 to 5 (director), Brigadoon, Legally Blonde, The Fantasticks, Cinderella, Mamma Mia, Newsies, Singin' In The Rain, Billy Elliot; Theatre Aspen: Come From Away; Great Lakes CFA: Mamma Mia; Skylight MT: Waitress; Taproot: Hello Girls, Bright Star; Additional Choreography: Interlochen, Seattle Symphony, Cornish College; DC-Area: Olney: Kiss of the Spider Woman (Applause Series); DC Performance: Olney: Cabaret, Imagination Stage: Lion/Witch.
Mason Moss (Music Director): Tour: The Book of Mormon. Regional: Chicago Shakespeare: Sunny Afternoon (Jeff Award nom.), 42 Balloons; Marriott: Little Shop of Horrors, Always Something There...; Writers: As You Like It; Broadway in Chicago: Tina, The Wiz, Kinky Boots. Mason is a music director, conductor, keyboardist and arranger based in Chicago. AFM Local 10-208 and 802.
The Cast and Musicians
The cast of Come From Away includes Jonathan Atkinson (Ford's: One Destiny, 1776, A Christmas Carol) as Kevin J.; Kelli Blackwell (Ford's: SHOUT SISTER SHOUT!) as Beulah; Caitlin Brooke (Ford's: Sister Act) as Diane; Montel B. Butler (Ford's debut) as Bob; Evan Casey (Ford's: 1776, Into the Woods, Born Yesterday) as Oz; Sarah Corey (Ford's: Sister Act) as Hannah; Julia Wheeler Lennon (Ford's: A Christmas Carol) as Janice; Joe Mallon (Ford's: 1776, A Christmas Carol, Sister Act) as Nick; Michael Perrie, Jr. (Ford's: 1776) as Kevin T.; Lawrence Redmond (Ford's: 1776, Sister Act, Little Shop of Horrors) as Claude; Housso Semon (Ford's debut) as Beverley; and Erin Weaver (Ford's: A Christmas Carol) as Bonnie.
Understudies include Vaughn Ryan Midder (Ford's debut), Justine "Icy" Moral (Ford's: 1776, A Christmas Carol, Sister Act), Janine Sunday (Ford's debut) and Douglas Ullman, Jr. (Ford's: 1776).
Mason Moss will conduct a band that includes Manny Arciniega, Ben Bokor, Gerry Kunkel, Kyung LeBlanc, Jim Roberts, Eliot Seppa and Danny Villanueva.
The Designers
The creative team includes Scenic Designer Emily Lotz (Ford's debut); Costume Designer Paris Francesca (Ford's debut); Lighting Designer Xavier Pierce (Ford's: Grace); Sound Designer David Budries (Ford's: 1776, Sister Act, Little Shop of Horrors); Hair & Make-up Designer Danna Rosedahl (Ford's: The American Five, Little Shop of Horrors, Something Moving); and Dialects and Voice Director Rachel Hirshorn-Johnston (Ford's: The American Five, A Christmas Carol, 1776). Orchestrations by August Eriksmoen and Arrangements by Ian Eisendrath.
Brandon Prendergast is the Production Stage Manager, with Julia Singer serving as Assistant Stage Manager.