Spoiler alert: this is how “Come From Away” ends — with a standing ovation and not a dry eye in the house. It ends with our grasp on a day — a day that changed the world for every American — indelibly transformed by the humanity and kindness shown by the residents of Gander, Newfoundland, on Sept. 11, 2001.
The Tony Award-winning Broadway musical is based on the remarkable true story of the nearly 7,000 air passengers diverted to the Newfoundland community of Gander — population 9,000 — when American airspace was closed following the attacks on 9/11. On the ground in Gander, passengers were made to wait inside their aircraft while flight crews awaited further instructions. When they were finally allowed to embark with only carry-on luggage in tow, some had been inside their aircraft for more than 20 hours.
“We were allowed out of our seats, but not off the plane … We had no way to get information, this was before most people had mobile phones,” the cast sings during “28 Hours/Where We Are.”
“Tom? Oh thank god, I finally got through, I borrowed a passenger’s phone,” sings Captain Beverley Bass, the character based on American Airlines’ first female captain. “Are the kids OK? I’m fine, safe and sound on the ground here in Newfoundland.”
As each character’s story unfolds, along with their fears and anxieties, it’s impossible not to experience it right alongside them. For those of us that remember 9/11, the day is burned into our memory. We remember exactly where we were; we remember the feeling of helplessness, the disbelief as each new piece of information came together to create a more complete understanding of what, exactly, had happened.
As passengers enter the airport and are shuttled off to various locations — shelters, schools, community centers, and neighboring towns — they are desperate to reach family, desperate to know why their planes have landed in Gander. As the hours unfold, and as the passengers navigate the challenges of finding themselves in a strange, new place during a national crisis, they are met with endless generosity from the locals who extend themselves to make their guests feel welcome.
“So, I go down to Shoppers and the manager says to just take what I want off the shelves — toothbrushes, floss, mouthwash, deodorant,” a resident of Gander sings in “Blankets and Bedding.”
“The Baptist church needs a hand moving their pews, Doctor O’Brien down at the pharmacy is ready to fill any prescriptions. Oh, and the Lions Club is looking for some toilet paper if you have any extra,” the cast continues.
“I made a tray of sandwiches,” says one resident.
“We need more,” says another.
“Sandwiches?”
“Trays!” she replies.
Over the course of the nearly two days that the passengers are grounded in Newfoundland, friendships blossom, relationships fray, and people rediscover themselves in new and profound ways – all in the face of an immeasurable kindness that softens and holds space for each of their experiences.
The story itself transports us, filling us with hope and admiration. But the story’s power is met with an equally powerful production.
Onstage musicians tucked behind trees play the Newfoundland-inspired score as the set seamlessly transforms from an airplane into Tim Horton’s, a community center, a bar, a school. Each member of the cast plays multiple characters throughout the show, capturing a relatable authenticity with each shift. Because there is no intermission, the audience’s experience is uninterrupted – we are immersed in the warmth of Gander from beginning to end, an apt parallel to the experience of those 7,000 airline passengers.
When the show ends, we are left blinking in the house lights, wiping our tears, leaning into our loved ones. The question on our minds is: “Would we have done the same thing?”
“Come From Away” reminds us that in the midst of challenges, in the midst of hate and war, the human spirit still shines bright. This life-affirming reminder accompanies us as we leave the theater and step into the icy night. How do we show kindness and generosity to our fellow humans? And how can we show it more?
“Come From Away,” brought to Anchorage by Broadway Alaska, runs through Dec. 10 at the Atwood Concert Hall. Ticket prices start at $49 and are available for purchase at Centertix.
This article was published in partnership with Arts Anchorage.
Emily is an Anchorage-based graphic designer, writer and musician. She is the founder of Arts Anchorage.