Garrett Bolden takes flight in 'Come From Away': 'It’s not just singing'

After powerful turns in "Rent" and "Once on This Island," Garrett Bolden returns to the musical stage with a challenge unlike any he's faced before. 

In "Come From Away," currently running in Manila, Garrett joins a powerhouse ensemble dubbed by fans as the “Avengers of Philippine Theater.” 

But for the Sparkle artist and rising theater star, the thrill comes not just from the company he keeps, but from the deeply human story they get to tell.

“This is a different take on a musical,” Garrett tells GMA News Online in an interview. 

"I’m still gonna sing—but it’s not like singing lang. It’s more of telling a story talaga.”

Set in the days following the September 11 attacks, "Come From Away" tells the true story of 7,000 airline passengers stranded in a small town in Newfoundland, Canada, and the community that welcomed them. 

The Tony Award-winning musical relies on tight ensemble work, fluid transitions, and the performers’ ability to switch characters and accents with precision—all of which Garrett found to be a creative challenge.

“Ang pinaka-biggest challenge sa amin: the accents,” he admits. 

"We're playing a lot of characters aside from our main roles. So kailangan talaga pagtuunan ng pansin ‘yung dialogue and how to attack it—especially the monologues and even the comedic parts.”

For Garrett, the role pushed him to explore a new dimension of performance, one that’s less about vocal prowess and more about authentic storytelling. “It’s really about connecting with the audience,” he says. 

“Hindi mo lang kakantahin ‘yung linya mo—you’re sharing something with heart.”

A message that resonates with Filipinos 

Asked about what message he hopes Filipino audiences take from the show, Garrett points to the musical’s reminder of shared humanity and bayanihan spirit.

“Sa ating mga Pinoy, sobrang likas talaga sa atin ‘yung tumulong,” he says. 

"'Come From Away' is a reminder of that. Yung pagmamalasakit, ‘yung biglaang pagbibigay ng tulong nang walang kapalit—those things are innate in us.”

He believes that, beyond the global story it tells, the musical mirrors the very best of Filipino values: compassion, community, and the unspoken readiness to help strangers in times of crisis.

Working with theater’s finest

Despite the message of unity, Garrett admits he felt nervous stepping into this particular production. 

"Some of the actors I’m working with are really haligi ng Philippine theater,” he says, clearly still in awe. 

"They were even dubbed the Avengers of theater. I’m thankful just to be included in that.”

Among those he shares the stage with is veteran performer Gian Magdangal, whom Garrett has long admired. “It’s a dream come true,” he beams. 

"The last time I got to work with him was back in 2018, and that was for a short piece. Now, I get to see him and work with him every day.”

Embracing the journey

For Garrett, "Come From Away" is more than just another title in his growing list of credits. It’s an opportunity to stretch himself as an actor, to honor a story that celebrates kindness, and to be part of a show that speaks to the core of what it means to be human.

“Masarap sa pakiramdam na bahagi ka ng ganitong klaseng kwento,” he says. 

"And to do it with this kind of cast? It’s more than I could have hoped for.”

"Come From Away" runs until June 29, 2025, at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati. This production also marks a milestone in Philippine theater as this is the first Filipino-led show from GMG Productions, brought to life by a stellar cast that includes Cathy Azanza-Dy, Caisa Borromeo, Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Gian Magdangal, Carla Guevara Laforteza, Garrett Bolden, among others.

The ensemble of 15 actors portrays approximately 84 characters, showcasing their remarkable versatility through lightning-fast transitions, distinct accents, and layered emotional beats—an extraordinary feat that speaks to the cast’s depth and precision. — LA, GMA Integrated News