“Come From Away” Theater Review

“On the northeast tip of North America, on an island called Newfoundland, there’s an airport. It used to be one of the biggest airports in the world, and next to it is a town called Gander.” This is where our story starts in the hit musical “Come From Away.” The show tells the true story of the 38 planes that were forced to ground on September 11, 2001 in the tiny town of Gander in Newfoundland, Canada. Everyone remembers the tragedy of that day, but this show focuses on what came with that tragedy: human connection beyond what anyone could have fathomed. Loved ones were lost, stories were shared, new friends were made, and memories that would live on forever, all on a tiny island.

Audiences first got to visit The Rock in 2017 when the show debuted on Broadway. David Hein and Irene Sankoff, who wrote the book for the show, visited Gander on the 10-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks to interview locals and the “come from aways” who returned on the anniversary. They used real stories of those who found themselves stranded in Gander that day, combining some for story purposes, to truly paint a picture of what was experienced.

The show opens with the people of Gander beginning their daily routines – stopping at Tim Hortons, complaining about the school bus strike, and heading to work. Then everything changes in one simple moment with the line, “And I turned on the radio.” The town receives word of what happened in New York City, and instead of staying glued to the news like the rest of the world, they sprung into action. Word spread that the United States airspace was closed, and Gander was going to be the spot where dozens of planes were forced to land. Over the course of a few hours, the town population would nearly double in size as 7,000 passengers from across the world would land in the small town.

There are a lot of things that make this show unique, but the most notable is the production only features 12 cast members. Each actor wears multiple hats (sometimes literally) to tell the story of both the townspeople and the “come from aways” who landed in Gander. Having actors portray multiple people, with only the addition of a jacket or hat, has the risk of being confusing to the audience, but the actors transitioned seamlessly between roles and even accents to make the story flow perfectly.

The songs also flow seamlessly into each other, further the feeling of one cohesive story that simply follows life unfolding before our eyes. The transitions from “38 Planes” to “Blankets and Bedding” to “28 Hours / Wherever We Are” are barely noticeable, the only noticeable shift being the tone of the delivery as the cast switches characters, from anxious plane riders to busy townspeople, and even drunk plane passengers. This feat is even more impressive when you realize there are no elaborate set pieces or anything on the stage – the only props are tables and chairs that the cast moves around the stage.

Other notable moments in the show include Addison Garner’s portrayal of Captain Beverly Bass and her performance of “Me and the Sky.” The song tells Bass’ story of how she climbed the ranks to become the first female commercial pilot for American Airlines and how quickly she fell in love with aviation. It captures the feeling many pilots and crew members must have had on September 11th, realizing that the job they love was quickly going to change and how quickly something, or someone, you care for can be taken away.

There truly are not enough good things that can be said about this show. It is something that needs to be seen to be fully understood. Chills were experienced on multiple occasions, and countless tears were shed, and everyone was reminded of what was lost on that fateful September morning. However, the show also focuses on what was found that day: new relationships, friendships, memories, and human connection beyond what anyone could have imagined. In a time where America feels so divided and hostile, “Come From Away” is an incredible reminder of how people can come together in the face of a tragedy.

“Come From Away” is presented as part of the Huntington Featured Performance series and is only in town until August 18. Get your tickets now: RIGHT HERE!