COME FROM AWAY

Digital Playbill

Director's Note

Come From Away is about a community throwing its arms open to strangers, welcoming them in with kindness and compassion showing we are stronger unified than divided. Life imitates art, as it so often does, and our experience creating this story I’m proud to say proved no different. This cast worked together to weave a beautiful story displaying the best of humanity while simultaneously bringing out the best in each other. I hope in our production you can find new ways to connect to the story, are able to see the person next to you with warmer eyes, and go out into the world with your arms and hearts more open. Please grab a beer, say hello to your neighbor, kiss the cod, and heave away, me jollies, heave away!!!!

~Laurie Guajardo-Hoefelmeyer &
Devyn Hamblin-Saenz

Laurie Guajardo-Hoefelmeyer

Director

Devyn Hamblin-Saenz

Vocal Director

Behind The Scenes

Aurora Arts Theatre Presents
Come From Away

Director- Laurie Guajardo-Hoefelmeyer

Vocal Director- Devyn Hamblin-Saenz

Vocal Captain- Nick Mendleski

Choreographer- Sarah Juarez

Stage Manager- Cash Cisneros, Dylan Rios

Sound Op- Ozzy Vela, Amber Basaldu

Light Op- Mariah Treadwell

Lighting Design- Amber Basaldu

Set Builder- Jordan Bohl

Set Design- Laurie Guajardo-Hoefelmeyer, Bryan Meza

Scenic Design- Liz Lucido, Bryan Meza

Prop Master- Ernest Pruneda

Special Thanks- Mario Aguilar, Paul Farias

Meet the Cast

LaQuita Hilzinger

Hannah & Others

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LaQuita Hilzinger (Hannah & Others) has loved performing since elementary school. "When I first saw a video of this beautiful and moving musical, I was brought to tears." It is a privilege to share the stage with all these talented folks as we try to bring the characters to life. May the compassion and empathy of Gander follow you out of the theatre.

Finley Hobart

Janice Mosher & Others

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Finley Hobart (Janice Mosher & Others) is so excited to be joining her friends back on the Aurora stage for their first show of the new year! Some of her previous show credits include: Rocky Horror 2025 (Janet Weiss), CCISD’s Beauty and the Beast (Mrs Potts) and A Christmas Carol 2024 (Mrs Cratchit. She would like to thank her friends, family, and boyfriend for their continued support! Enjoy the show! (She/Her)

Ysaura Magnusson

Beulah Davis & Others

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Ysaura Magnusson (Beulah Davis & Others) is returning for her second show at Aurora! Previous roles include Mrs. Fezziwig in "A Christmas Carol" at Harbor Playhouse, Sister Mary Hubert in "Nunsense" at AAT, and Golde in "Fiddler on the Roof" at HP - all during the 2025 season. She is forever thankful for the endless support of her friends and family, especially her two theater kids, who inspired her to finally pursue her community theater dreams. "Welcome to the Rock!"

Nastassia Abshire

Bonnie Harris & Others

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Nastassia Abshire (Bonnie Harris & Others) is excited to be a part of her fifth production at the Aurora Arts Theatre! You may have previously seen her in previous shows here at AAT and at the harbor playhouse such as, “Glinda the good witch” (wizard of oz), “Janet Weiss” (Rocky horror show), “Laurey Williams” (Oklahoma!), “Countess Andrenyi” (murder on the orient express), “Emily and dance core” (A Christmas Carol) and many more. She thanks God, her family, and friends for all of their never ending love and support.

Alyce Oblad

Beverley & Others

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Alyce Oblad (Beverley & Others) is thrilled to be part of such a powerful show, Come From Away. Most recently, she was seen as Paulette in Legally Blonde. Alyce holds a degree in Vocal Performance and is active in local community and educational theatre. (she/her)

Jonathon Alvarez

Oz Fudge & Others

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Jonathon Alvarez (Oz Fudge & Others) is a New York trained actor/singer/dancer. Previous roles “Mr. Woods/ Dewey” Legally Blonde, “Fender” Hairspray, “Mitch Mahoney” 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, “Lurch” Addams Family, “Riff Raff” Rocky Horror, “Princeton” Avenue Q, and “Earthworm” James & the Giant Peach. "Enjoy the show!!!"

Nicholas Mendleski

Kevin T & Others

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Nicholas Mendleski (Kevin T & Others) is excited to be back at Aurora! He is honored to play this dream role and hopes you connect with Kevin’s story. You may have seen him as Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz last year at Harbor Playhouse or as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in 2024 here at Aurora. He would like to thank his cast & crew for an amazing experience. Enjoy the show. Instagram - @nickmendleski

Michael Jay Salinas

Kevin J/Ali/Dwight

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Michael Jay Salinas (Kevin J/Ali/Dwight) is thrilled to be back on stage after an over two-year intermission. He is so grateful for the production team and the Aurora family for welcoming him back with open arms. He would like to thank his family, friends, and his fascinates for being so supportive in this journey!

Dominic Cruz

Claude/Chet the Texan/Derm

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Dominic Cruz (Claude/Chet the Texan/Derm) is excited and grateful to be a part of such a compelling and beautiful story such as this. He was previously in "Shakespeare in Hollywood" at Aurora, a party parent in 'The Nutcracker', and the Wizard in 'The Wizard of Oz' at the Harbor Playhouse. It has been a YEAR, and throughout it all, the theater has been there for him. Friends and family. He is very happy for all their support and love and will continue to perform on stage, God willing. Once again, he's elated to be on stage with old great friends and wonderful new ones, with a fantastic crew! He is deeply in love with what this show, shows what it means for kindness and the humanity of people. "Thank you."

Caleb Wendling

Nick/Doug/Others

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Caleb Wendling (Nick/Doug/Others) is excited to be back on Aurora's stage after two years away! He comes with his many personalities at the ready, like Roy (Lonestar), himself (Godspell), and Narrator (Rocky Horror Show) He's grateful to Mary and Laurie for trusting him with this role, and he is forever in debt for the support from his friends and family, especially his wife, Alissa, who has always supported him since day one. This will also be his first show since the passing of his dear friend, Peter Lopez, who gave Caleb his first chance back in 2018, so this is also a tribute to him. "You will be missed, Peter."

Shannon Mickle

Bob & Others

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Shannon Mickle (Bob) is excited to be back on stage in this amazing production of Come From Away! Past credits include most recent as Deb in Elf, Dynamite (Hairspray), Trixie/Phantom, Narrator, Eddie/Dr. Scott (Rocky Horror), Gary Coleman (Avenue Q), and Electra/Miss Cratchitt (Gypsy).

Holly Braly

Diane & Others

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Holly Braly (Diane & Others) is excited to be in her fourth production at Aurora. You may have seen her as Helen Hubbard in Murder on the Orient Express (AAT), or Mother in A Christmas Story (AAT 2024). She’d like to thank Laurie Guajardo-Hoefelmeyer for the opportunity to be a part of this amazing production, Devyn Hamblin-Saenz for her amazing dedication to getting us ready, to her husband and daughter for their support, and to Jesus Christ for continuing to open doors for her to grow. "Please enjoy the show and let this story encourage you and touch your heart!"

Christopher Salinas

Ensemble

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Christopher Salinas (Ensemble) is excited to be back on the Aurora stage. Previous shows include: The Rocky Horror Show, Little Shop of Horrors, Next To Normal, and so much more. "Enjoy the Show!"

Omar Moreno

Ensemble

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Omar Moreno (Ensemble) is ecstatic to make his return to Aurora Arts Theatre! Following his Aurora debut in 2025's The Rocky Horror Show (Eddie & Dr.Scott), Omar's ready to obsess over another musical! He would like to thank all the friends he's made since beginning his theatre journey in Corpus last year. "It really wouldn't be the same without you guys. Thank you for sticking by me!" (He/Him)

Ricky Syrre

Ensemble

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Ricky Syrre (Ensemble) is excited to make his Aurora debut! "Sit back, relax - and enjoy the show!"

Paul Braly

Nick/Doug Understudy

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Paul Braly (Nick/Doug Understudy) is excited to be part of this musical! You may have seen him in AAT’s Elf as Santa, AAT’s A Christmas Story as Jean Sheppard, HPH’s James and the Giant Peach as Bobby Cop/ Ens, AAT’s 2022 A Christmas Story Ens, or just selling concessions. This show is the true meaning of togetherness and love. "Thanks to all."

Video Warning

ANY VIDEO AND/OR AUDIO RECORDING OF THIS PRODUCTION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

Credits and notices

Come From Away Billing

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COME FROM AWAY

Book, Music and Lyrics by
IRENE SANKOFF and DAVID HEIN

Original Broadway Production produced by Junkyard Dog Productions

Orchestrations by August Eriksmoen
Arrangements by Ian Eisendrath

Come From Away was originally co-produced in 2015 by La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle Repertory Theater and presented in 2016 by Ford’s Theatre.

Come From Away (NAMT Festival 2013) was originally developed at the Canadian Music Theatre Project, Michael Rubinoff Producer, Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, and was further developed at Goodspeed Musicals’ Festival of New Artists, in East Haddam, Connecticut. The Canada Council for the Arts, The Ontario Arts Council, and The Fifth Avenue Theatre, Seattle, Washington, also provided development support. Come From Away was originally co-produced in 2015 by La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle Repertory Theater and presented in 2016 by Ford’s Theatre

Music credits

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Licensing

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Come From Away is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.

www.mtishows.com

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