Anyone old enough to remember can tell you where they were on Sept. 11, 2001. On that day, America changed forever. In the the aftermath of the tragedy, American airways were shut down and planes were grounded across the country. Come From Away tells the inspiring true story of how a small town in Newfoundland that doubled in population as they welcomed 7,000 stranded passengers in the aftermath of 9/11.
Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night and gratitude grew into enduring friendships as passengers and townspeople alike were coping in the days after 9/11. During one of the worst times, this show tells the uplifting story about how people came together and cared for each other.
How the Musical Came to be
Husband and wife duo David Hein and Irene Sankoff wrote the heart-warming script, music and lyrics for Come From Away after they traveled to Gander, Newfoundland. They spent countless hours interviewing the residents who welcomed the thousands of “plane people” that flooded the town unexpectedly after 9/11. Watch them explain how they managed to tell the stories of 16,000 people in just 100 minutes with 12 actors!
Meet the Real Residents of Gander
The real residents of Gander are the soul of Come From Away, and their involvement with the show didn’t end after they were first interviewed. The original Broadway cast had the opportunity to meet the people their characters were based on. This rare opportunity allowed the performers to get to know their roles in a more intimate way. The video below introduces you to just a few of the people behind the lovable characters from the musical.
Captain Beverley Bass
Beverley Bass is used to having her career in the spotlight. Before she was forced to land her plane in Newfoundland on 9/11, she had already made her mark in 1976 as the first female captain of an American Airlines commercial plane. A decade later, she made history as the captain of the first all-female flight crew. Tony-nominated actress Jenn Colella worked with Beverley Bass to showcase her story as authentically as possible.
Come From Away reminds audiences that in the face of great tragedy and hardship, humanity can come together and support one another. This touching show is sure to leave a lasting impact on all who witness its compelling stories and soaring choruses. Come From Away will be landing at Walton Arts Center May 11-16, 2021. 2020/21 season subscriptions are available now and individual tickets will go on sale at the end of the summer.
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