As Pangdemonium prepares to take its final bow, the theatre company is choosing to close its 16-year journey with a story about humanity, compassion and the extraordinary things people can achieve when they come together.
Come From Away, the Olivier Award-winning musical by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, will run from 11 to 27 September 2026 at Victoria Theatre, marking Pangdemonium’s final production. Directed by Pangdemonium Associate Director Timothy Koh, the production also marks his first time directing a musical.
Set against the events of 11 September 2001, Come From Away tells the true story of Gander, a small Canadian town where 38 international aircraft carrying nearly 7,000 passengers were diverted following the closure of United States airspace. With little warning and limited resources, the people of Gander and surrounding communities welcomed complete strangers, opening their schools, homes and community spaces while providing food, clothing, shelter and reassurance during a moment of profound uncertainty.
Rather than focusing solely on the tragedy of 9/11, the musical explores the human response to crisis, the instinct to welcome, protect and care for others despite differences in nationality, faith, culture and circumstance.
For Pangdemonium, the choice of Come From Away as its final production carries particular meaning. After 16 years of creating theatre in Singapore, the company is bringing its journey to a close with a story that celebrates compassion, community and the connections that can emerge between strangers.
Timothy Koh Takes on His First Musical
For Timothy Koh, Come From Away represents both a long-awaited opportunity and an exciting new chapter in his artistic journey.
Koh joined Pangdemonium as Associate Director in 2022 and has directed Muswell Hill, Doubt: A Parable, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Singapore, Michigan. His work on Doubt: A Parable and Singapore, Michigan earned nominations at The Straits Times Life Theatre Awards in 2024 and 2026 respectively.
Taking on Come From Away presents a different kind of creative challenge. Unlike musicals built around a single protagonist, the production is driven by an ensemble, with performers moving between different characters and stories.
The musical is also almost entirely sung through, meaning the action remains in constant motion. For the director, this requires carefully creating new stage pictures from moment to moment while maintaining the rhythm, energy and emotional flow of the story.
Yet beneath the technical and creative demands lies a story that Koh feels deeply connected to, one that he believes demonstrates the very best of humanity during the worst of times.
A Story About Compassion and Community
At the heart of Come From Away is a powerful reminder that compassion can emerge even in the most difficult circumstances.
When thousands of passengers suddenly found themselves stranded in Gander following the closure of U.S. airspace, local residents responded by opening their homes and communities to people they had never met.
The story celebrates generosity, empathy and the willingness to put aside differences to help someone in need.
These themes remain particularly relevant today, when communities around the world continue to face uncertainty and challenges. The musical asks audiences to consider not only what happened during a moment of crisis, but also how ordinary people chose to respond.
For Pangdemonium Artistic Directors Adrian and Tracie Pang, this is precisely what makes Come From Away such a fitting final production.
The musical celebrates decency, kindness, empathy, compassion, selflessness and community, values that resonate strongly with Pangdemonium’s own longstanding belief in theatre as a way of encouraging empathy and recognising the experiences that connect people despite their differences.
The Collective Heart of Come From Away
The production’s ensemble includes Benjamin Chow, Inch Chua, Candice de Rozario, Rebekah Sangeetha Dorai, Sheila Francisco, Brandon Gill, Eric Larrea, Dwayne Lau, Gavin Leahy, Lim Yu-Beng, Victoria Mintey and Nadya Zaheer.
Rather than having one central protagonist carry the story, the performers collectively portray residents, passengers, pilots, volunteers and family members. Their characters and stories intersect rapidly, making collaboration and communication essential to the production.
This ensemble-driven approach also reflects the central message of the musical: meaningful change does not necessarily come from one person acting alone. Sometimes, it comes from people listening to one another, responding to a situation and choosing to act together.
An Interview with Timothy Koh, Associate Director, Pangdemonium
As Pangdemonium approaches its final production, we spoke with Timothy Koh about his long-standing connection to Come From Away, the challenges of directing his first musical, the inspiration he draws from other art forms, and what he hopes audiences will take away from the production.
In this interview, Timothy also reflects on his journey with Pangdemonium, what theatre has taught him about life and people, and why the message of shared humanity continues to resonate with him.
1. Come From Away marks both your first time directing a musical and Pangdemonium’s final production. What was your initial reaction when you were entrusted with this opportunity, and what has the journey meant to you personally?
Timothy Koh:
I have wanted to direct Come From Away for a very long time; I could not be more thrilled to bring this very special story to life! This show has been a long time in the making and it’s so exciting to get down to it!
2. Come From Away is centred on compassion, community and humanity during one of the world’s most challenging moments. Why do you think these themes continue to resonate so strongly with audiences today?
Timothy Koh:
I connected with this show because it exemplifies the best of humanity in the worst of times. I think that no matter what challenges we are facing, the universality of this core shines through and will be deeply felt by all.
3. Unlike many musicals, Come From Away is driven by the strength of its ensemble rather than a single leading character. From a director’s perspective, what were some of the most rewarding and perhaps most challenging aspects of bringing this production to life?
Timothy Koh:
This musical is challenging because it is almost entirely sung through. The show is constantly in motion which requires a director’s hand to create new stage pictures from moment to moment, without relying on traditional book scenes. It’s also very gratifying, though!
4. Since joining Pangdemonium as Associate Director in 2022, you have directed several notable productions. How has your journey with the company shaped your growth as a director, and what have you learned from working alongside its talented artists and creative team?
Timothy Koh:
I’ve had the time of my life directing some of my dream projects and cutting my teeth, from classics to new Singapore plays.
5. Many of our readers enjoy learning about the people behind the productions. As a director, what continues to inspire you creatively, and what has theatre taught you about people and life?
Timothy Koh:
Theatre has taught me that life is one big group project! I’m actually constantly inspired by other art forms: literature, film, journalism, even ballet! It fills my cup as an artist to experience art that is radically different from my own.
6. As Pangdemonium presents its final production, what do you hope audiences will remember most about Come From Away, and what message would you like them to take home after the final curtain falls?
Timothy Koh:
I hope audiences come away with a sense of shared humanity and be inspired to show compassion for others regardless of who they are or where they’re from.
A Final Curtain Call Filled with Humanity
There is something particularly poignant about Pangdemonium choosing Come From Away as its final production.
After 16 years of bringing stories to Singapore audiences, the company is closing its theatrical journey with a musical about people coming together during a time of crisis. It is a story that reminds us that even when circumstances are difficult, kindness and compassion can make a profound difference.
For Timothy, the message he hopes audiences take away is simple but powerful: a sense of shared humanity and the inspiration to show compassion towards others, regardless of who they are or where they come from.
As Pangdemonium prepares for its final curtain, Come From Away offers audiences more than an uplifting musical. It offers an opportunity to pause, reflect and consider how we respond to others especially when they need our help.
And perhaps that makes it a fitting final chapter for Pangdemonium: a celebration not simply of theatre, but of the human connections that theatre can create.
Come From Away
Performance dates: 11–27 September 2026
Venue: Victoria Theatre
Director: Timothy Koh
Book, Music & Lyrics: Irene Sankoff and David Hein
Performance duration: 1 hour 40 minutes, with no intermission
IMDA rating: Advisory (Some Mature Content)
Tickets: From S$40
U25 Youth Fund tickets: S$25 for selected performances
SG Culture Pass: Credits can be used to purchase tickets
Alongside Come From Away, Pangdemonium is also releasing Ass-Kicking Adventures in Theatre: The Pangdemonium Story, a limited-edition commemorative coffee table book celebrating the company’s 16-year journey.
Written by Tracie Pang and Adrian Pang, the book features archival photography, reflections and behind-the-scenes material documenting the productions, people and creative relationships that have shaped Pangdemonium. Limited to 500 copies, the book is priced at S$45 inclusive of GST and can also be purchased as an add-on when purchasing tickets to Come From Away.
For more information and to purchase tickets and the coffee table book, please visit https://www.pangdemonium.com/
