Effective ‘From Here’ tickles funny bone, touches heart

As the music fades away, the cell phones start ringing. It’s a moment in “From Here,” the musical onstage at CFCArts Theatre, that has a particularly poignant resonance for Central Floridians. In the story, word is spreading about the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting. For many in the audience, they are remembering where they were when they got the call: “Have you heard what’s happening at Pulse? Who was there tonight?”

“From Here,” set in Florida and written by CFCArts Theatre director Donald Rupe, is and isn’t about the Pulse tragedy. In 2019, an abbreviated version of the musical debuted at the Orlando Fringe Festival, where Pulse worked its way into the plot too jarringly. But that has been smoothed over nicely in this full-length version. And the tribute to the nightclub is as touching as it is genuine.

In fact, the show’s greatest strength is its sense of realness. Rupe has said the characters are based on his own circle of friends, and these people feel real — even if one or two, such as protagonist Daniel’s gal pal Michelle, could stand to be fleshed out a bit more.

The audience’s introduction to Daniel is an attention-getter. He’s leaving a voicemail message for his mother; the two haven’t spoken since he came out as gay, and though he leaves her a daily message, she never calls him back.

We eventually meet Becca, the mother, and get to hear her side of things — sort of. Even with the great Sarah-Lee Dobbs in the role, Becca remains a psychologically squishy character: Her motivations never quite add up, though Dobbs is a winning combination of tartness and regret.

As Daniel, Blake Aburn has just the right twinkle to guide the audience through this tale of friendship. In my review of the Fringe production, I called him “adorkable,” and I stand by that assessment. I also wrote at the time that Erick Perafan had the best singing voice in the cast, and that remains the case. He brings an adorable sweetness to Daniel’s love interest.

Dorothy Christopher makes the most of Michelle’s big comic cabaret number, “Gay Is Better,” and as Becca’s secretary, Kendall Leamy radiates a daffy joy. In fact the first act is filled with humor. One of the special qualities of “From Here” is how Rupe has crafted songs that use humor to temper their sadness, whether it’s Daniel singing about his estranged mother or a chipper melody explaining how “hating other people brings people together.”

That latter song, by the way, ends the first act — and it’s a curious choice as it has no part for the leading character. But the songs overall are tuneful and catchy, even if the lyrics occasionally become a bit repetitious. Orchestrator and music director Jason Bailey’s band is perfectly balanced with the singers.

Rupe, Jeff St. Charles and Jake Teixeira have designed a simple yet moving set — a road map of Orlando dotted with hearts. Combined with Teixeira’s thoughtful lighting, the idea of community is never far from the audience’s mind.

Although the Pulse tragedy threatens to overwhelm the main story lines, it instead ties them together.

At show’s end, Daniel — the stand-in for writer Rupe — asks the audience to “see my heart.” Daniel, and by proxy Rupe, need not worry: Heart shines through every aspect of this affecting show.

‘From Here’

Length: 2:35, including intermission Where: CFCArts Theatre, 250 SW Ivanhoe Blvd., Orlando

When: Through March 15 Cost: $15-$25 Info: cfcarts.com or 407-937-1800