**** Highly Recommended **** It’s official! Come from Away is on my list of top 10 musicals ever! I can’t remember when a production moved me like this one did. It was an emotional rollercoaster; it made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me cheer – and more of the same! Out of the tragedy on 9/11 comes a story of hope and friendship. I wish it were playing in Chicago for more than 2 weeks! 4 BIG Spotlights
As a result of the 9/11 attacks, the FAA grounded all flights across the United States. After that action, the Canadian government launched Operation Yellow Ribbon, which diverted all international civilian flights away from U.S. airspace, instead ordering them to land at military and civilian airports across Canada. 38 wide-body airplanes from around the world landed at Gander International Airport in Newfoundland.
Come from Away is a Canadian musical with book (script), music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, who spent time in Gander in 2011, interviewing Gander residents and returning passengers. The characters are based on real Gander residents and some of the passengers, sometimes even using their real names. Come from Away, which was nominated for seven Tony Awards, won for Best Direction of a Musical
The cast all played multiple parts. In alphabetical order, they are Marika Aubrey (Beverley/Annette and others), Kevin Carolan (Claude and others), Harter Clingman (Oz and others), Nick Duckart (Kevin J/Ali and others), Chamblee Ferguson (Nick/Doug and others, Christine Toy Johnson (Diane and others), Julie Johnson (Beulah and others), James Earl Jones II (Bob and others), Julia Knitel (Janice and others), Sharon Sayegh (Bonnie and others), Danielle K. Thomas (Hannah and others) and Jeremy Woodard (Kevin T/Garth and others).
So, what does a town of fewer than 10,000 residents do when 38 planes with close to 7,000 passengers land? They get organized – and then they welcome them. The show opens with a rousing song, Welcome to the Rock, a foot-stomping anthem to Gander and its people.
Gander was in the middle of a strike by the school bus drivers. Negotiations were interrupted when several locals, including the mayor and the air traffic controller, got an alert about a plane landing at the airport – which used to be busy as a refueling stop, before jumbo jets – and another and another. After singing about the 38 Planes, they started getting organized.
Singing Blankets and Bedding, they set up shelters in the school, the Salvation Army, the day care center, even the hockey rink (games were cancelled). The mayor went to the grocery warehouse for food and other supplies; then he went back for baby food, formula, diapers, toothbrushes and other personal products.
On the planes, the passengers had no idea what was happening as they were warned to brace for an emergency landing. Once on the ground, they were kept in the planes until the authorities checked for terrorists and bombs. Once they were allowed off, they were loaded on buses. Multiple languages made communication difficult, but the locals figured it all out.
Some highlights:
- The RSPCA organized food and water for the cats, dogs and monkeys (even a pregnant monkey) on the planes,
- A gay couple from the city trying on clothes – Costume Party
- Residents and locals gathering in churches to pray in their own unique ways – Prayer
- Accusations of terrorism against one poor Muslim man – who turned out to be a master chef
- One couple breaking up - another falling in love
- Everyone gathering for a giant cookout ending with music and song
- The goodbyes and pledges of friendship and the rousing Finale
The Band was onstage for the entire performance. A couple of times, they even walked over and joined the cast for a song. At the end of the show, even after the cast left the stage, they continued to play while the audience clapped in time. The conductor is usually Music Director, Cameron Moncur. The conductor for opening night was Associate Music Director Myrna Conn.
The Band: Cameron Moncur (Conductor/Keyboard/Accordion/Harmonium); Isaac Alderson (Whistles/Irish Flute/Uilleann Pipes); Kiana June Weber (Fiddle); Billy Bivona (Electric/Acoustic Guitars); Martin Howley (Acoustic Guitar/Mandolins/Bouzouki); Sean Rubin (Electric/Acoustic Bass); Steve Holloway (Bodhran/Percussion) and Joseph Mowatt (Drums/Percussion).
Note: Guests must show proof of vaccination with photo ID before entering the theater. Guests are required to wear masks while inside the building.
Come from Away runs through March 6th at Broadway in Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph, Chicago. Running time is about 90 minutes, no intermission. Performances are: Tuesdays at 7:30 pm, Wednesdays at 2:00 & 7:30 pm, Fridays at 7:30 pm; Saturdays at 2:00 & 8:00 pm; Sundays at 2:00 pm. Tickets range from $35 - $105. FYI (800) 775- 2000 or www.BroadwayInChicago.com.