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| The cast of "Come From Away" joins together in song. (Kevin Berne photo) |
Much changed on Sept. 11, 2001, when terrorists
hijacked four passenger planes and crashed into the twin towers of the World
Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Washington and a field in
Pennsylvania, killing thousands of people.
In the immediate aftermath, air traffic was halted in
the United States and Canada, forcing 38 transatlantic planes with some 7,000
people aboard to land at the airport in the small island town of Gander,
Newfoundland, which had fewer than 10,000 residents.
“Come From Away,” a musical presented by TheatreWorks
Silicon Valley, focuses on people who must adapt to the situation.
The versatile six women and six men in the cast
portray both the passengers and townspeople.
When the play opens, the townspeople are preparing for
an ordinary day as news of the attacks begins to surface. They soon learn that
they’ll have to accommodate all the people from the diverted planes.
Therefore they muster up all available resources and
welcome their unexpected visitors. Despite some initial wariness and cultural
differences, the hosts and visitors warm to each other.
By the time the planes are allowed to leave after
several days, friendships and a romance have blossomed, but another
relationship has ended under the strain.
As directed by Robert Kelley, TheatreWorks’ retired
founder and artistic director, the talented ensemble cast smoothly switches
characters as the story unfolds. The result is a heartwarming, uplifting salute
to humanity rising above the evil and tragedy of 9/11.
The music, lyrics and book by Irene Sankoff and David
Hein distill the events into about an hour and 40 minutes without intermission.
Therefore, some of the information is delivered so quickly that it’s hard to
absorb everything.
However, the essential spirit comes through thanks to
the cast, Kelley, musical director William Liberatore, choreographer/assistant
director Alex Perez, set designer Wilson Chin, costume designer B. Modern,
lighting designer Pamila Z. Gray and sound designer Cliff Caruthers.
This outstanding production of “Come From Away” continues
through May 10 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro
St., Mountain View.
For tickets and information, call (877) 662-8978 or
visit www.theatreworks.org.
