Come From Away is a miracle. A glorious, heartwarming, joyous musical based on a true story about the town of Gander in Newfoundland that rose up to help unexpected visitors during one of the most tragic events of the 21st century. The show features rousing and moving songs which gives an atmosphere of a Newfoundland kitchen party. An unforgettable experience reminding everyone of the goodness of people during a crisis.
On September 11, 2001, airplane attacks on New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania grounded every airline in North America. Planes in flight were forced to land at the closest airports, including the town of Gander where it once had a busy airport when transatlantic flights had to stop to refuel. The town, with a population of about 10,000, suddenly found itself hosting 7,000 stranded airline passengers from around the world. Daily life in Gander came to a screeching halt and the people leaped to action to help these bewildered and frightened visitors during their brief but difficult stay.
The show touches on the many different cultures, people, experiences of the visitors; some of the stories were intimate. Some stories reveal moments of fear and indignity- partly from the shock and uncertainty of the tragedy. Other stories depict the pressure everyone was under: the passengers, the towns, and its people. But there are many stories of how everyone reached out to each other for comfort, support, and guidance through their religious beliefs, individual chance encounters, or by simply enjoying an epic night at bar. The connections between these strangers are not so remote or unfamiliar.
The brilliant and talented cast play multiple characters but you never lose track as to who is who. The pace of the show is smooth and brisk. You never feel the time is dragging. The fantastic foot-stomping Celtic music from the sensational live band is unforgettable.
The goodness of the people of Gander changed many lives. At the end, everyone will want to kiss the fish!
Photo credit: Matthew Murphy
Come From Away presented by evenko and Broadway Across Canada. Show runs until January 15, at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts, 175 Ste.-Catherine Street West, Montreal. For tickets call the box office at 514-842-2112 (or 1-866-842-2112) or go to www.placedesarts.com
