“Come From Away,” a 2015 musical, looks at
just one of the repercussions of that day.
U.S. and Canadian airspace was immediately
closed, forcing 38 transatlantic passenger planes to land at Gander
International Airport in Gander, Newfoundland. Thus Gander’s fewer than 10,000 residents
suddenly had to serve the needs of about
7,000 flyers for up to six days
With a book, music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff
and David Hein, the musical focuses on 12 townspeople and 12 passengers – all
portrayed by the cast of six women and six men -- who must adapt to the
situation.
It opens with the townspeople starting an
ordinary day as the news begins to trickle in. Soon they learn that the planes
and their passengers are coming.
They immediately muster all available
resources and welcome the visitors to their island community.
Despite their initial wariness and the
uncertainty, the hosts and visitors warm to one another. By the time the planes
are again allowed to fly, friendships and a romance have blossomed, but another
relationship has ended under the strain.
Moreover, the townspeople enjoy improved relationships
thanks to their interaction with people of various nationalities, races and
religions.
Although the residents refused any payment for
their hospitality, the passengers donated thousands of dollars to the
community.
The residents and passengers even had a
10-year reunion. As the mayor (Kevin Carolan) put it: “Tonight we honor what was lost, but we also
commemorate what we found.”
Directed by Christopher Ashley, the multi-talented
cast of this national touring company presented by Broadway San Jose creates
believable characters based on actual people.
The result is a heartwarming, uplifting salute
to humanity with some added humor and sadness, especially for Hannah (Danielle
K. Thomas), whose firefighter son died at the World Trade Center.
Because the show is distilled into some 90
minutes without intermission, much of the information is delivered so quickly
that it’s difficult to absorb everything.
However, the essential spirit comes through,
leaving the audience cheering and clapping as the seven-member band, including
music director/conductor Cameron Moncur, plays a rousing tune after the cast’s
final bows.
As a touring production, the show opened July
12 and will run only through July 17 at San Jose’s Center for the Performing
Arts, 255 S. Almaden Blvd. For tickets and information, call (408)
792-4111 or visit www.broadwaysanjose.com.
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