Come From Away

Come From Away Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy.

On September 11th, 2001, 38 planes with 6,579 passengers were stranded in the remote town of Gander, Newfoundland, after the terrorist attacks in New York. For five days the local residents opened their homes and hosted an international community of strangers before they were able to finally fly to their destinations. This emotional event is the subject of a Broadway-bound musical written by Canadians Irene Sankoff and David Hein (My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding), now on stage in Toronto at the newly renovated Royal Alexandra Theatre.

The local Newfoundlanders referred to their guests as "Come From Aways," but they treated them like family. They fed them, gave them shelter, comforted and cared for them during a dark and uncertain time. The musical tells the story of real-life, everyday heroes and the lives touched by their kindness.

Performed in 100 minutes, with no intermission, the show features a talented cast—Petrina Bromley, Geno Carr, Jenn Colella, Joel Hatch, Rodney Hicks, Kendra Kassebaum, Chad Kimball, Lee MacDougall, Caesar Samayoa, Q. Smith, Astrid Van Wieren and Sharon Wheatley—alternating between roles as townspeople and visting passengers from very different walks of life, including Beverley Bass (Colella), the first female captain for American Airlines.

Christopher Ashley's production moves at a steady pace complemented by Kelly Divine's strong choreography. The score is instantly memorable, with stand-out songs including the foot-stomping opening number "Welcome to the Rock" and "Screech In," a joyous celebration of Newfoundland traditions.

Canadians will be proud and international audiences moved and uplifted by the decency and strength of human spirit on display in Come from Away. Catch the pre-Broadway engagement on stage at the Royal Alexandra Theatre until January 8, 2017. Visit mirvish.com for more information and to buy tickets.