Ask anyone “Where were you on 9/11?” and you’ll get a myriad of responses, but that’s the thing, you’ll get an answer. Like Kennedy’s assassination a generation before and the bombing of Hiroshima the generation before that, if you lived through these moments in American history, you’ll always remember exactly where you were and what you were doing. Now, ask the inhabitants of Gander, Newfoundland, a seeming unassuming island town located on the northeast corner of the Canadian providence of Newfoundland and Labrador, and you’ll get a decidedly unique answer. The National Tour of Broadway’s Come From Away, currently on tour at TPAC’s Jackson Hall April 19 thru 24, provides a heartfelt look into the minutes, hours and days after 9/11 during which 38 planes carrying nearly 7000 passengers from across the globe were diverted to Gander International Airport.
With book, music and lyrics by married creatives Irene Sankoff and David Hein, Come From Away begins with the rock-solid uptempo Welcome to the Rock, in which the Mayor of Gander, played by Kevin Carolan joins the rest of the company as they poke a little lyrical fun at themselves with such lines as “Welcome to the rock if you come from away, you’’ probably understand about a half of what we say”. Then just as quickly, they extol the best aspects of their small town living with “They say no man’s an island, but an island makes a man ‘specially when one comes from one like Newfoundland”.
Half spoken word, have lyrical, the opening number also serves to offer a brief bit of exposition, explaining that Gander International Airport was, in its heyday, one of the largest airports in the world, a favorite of international flights as a refueling stop. Most of the cast is introduced during this opening number, many of whom are based on real-life Gander residents.
Marika Aubrey plays Annette, a primary school teacher at Gander Academy, but it’s her heartfelt turn as Beverly Bass, the first female American Airlines pilot, that steals the show. Captaining a Boeing 777 from Charles de Gaulle Airport to DFW when the terrorist attack occurred, Bass’ flight was among the 38 diverted to Gander.
Sharone Sayegh is Bonnie, a local SPCA worker, mom of three. Savegh’s Bonnie offers some of the show’s sweeter moments as she not only shows concern for the humans diverted, but also the animals aboard the flights, including a cat in need of its daily medication, a vocal little dog and a pair of bonobo apes, one a fan of slinging his own poop, the other, an expectant mom-to-be.
Bonnie is married to air traffic controller, Doug, played by Chamblee Ferguson. Ferguson also appears as Nick, a British oil engineer. Christine Toy Johnson plays Diane a traditional southern divorcee from Texas, who, once her worries about her son’s safety on that day are eased, experiences a new lease on life when she embarks on a romance with Nick.
James Earl Jones II plays Bob, an uneasy New Yorker who goes from worrying why everyone is so nice to embracing the kindness of others.
Jeremy Woodard and Nick Duckart play Kevin T and Kevin J., vacationing boyfriends (yes they’re both named Kevin and as they say in the context of the show, “it was cute for a while”) who also work together at an environmental energy company Kevin T founded.
Julie Johnson as Beulah, head of the Gander Legion, has a son who’s a local firefighter, thus instantly bonding her to Hannah, played by Danielle K. Thomas. Harter Clingman plays Oz, Gander’s good-natured constable…in a police force of two. Julia Knitel as Janice, the local TV station’s rookie reporter, becomes the voice of the town for the rest of the world when thrown into the action on her first day on the job.
With a stripped-down set designed be Beowulf Boritt (Be More Chill, A Bronx Tale, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, among others), Come From Away focuses on the relationships of its characters. As evidenced by the character descriptions above, those relationships are plentiful. Among my personal favorites, the budding romance between Diane and Nick and the frankly unexpected acceptance of the relationship between Kevin and Kevin. The bar scene is just one of the show’s many examples of humor and heart.
On the subject of humor and heart, the show walks a perfect line between the two. After all, a musical about 9/11, but removed from the true horror of ground zero to a virtually unknown island on the eastern coast of the continent…sheer genius. Without spoiling some of this brilliance, key phrases, words or scenes to watch for include: Titanic, Xanax, The Mayors, Top Six Cardiologist and Kiss the Fish.
Speaking of Kiss the Fish, that moment comes courtesy the laugh-filled Screech In, lead by Kevin Carolan as The Mayor initiates a few newly christened Newfoundlanders during a moment of joy at a local pub. This is followed by a gloriously music-filled moment showcasing the company’s band, who provide the music throughout the show, but are front and center during this scene. The band consists of Cameron Moncur, Isaac Alderson, Kiana June Weber, Billy Bivona, Martin Howley, Sean Rubin, Steve Holloway & Ben Morrow. Oh, and don’t go anywhere after the initial curtain call…trust me. On opening night, Music City proved its name worthy and greatly appreciative and that’s all I’ll say about that.
While the show is full of entertaining musical numbers, 15 in total, and the majority of them performed by the entire company, it’s not exactly the sort of show you’ll leave the theatre humming your favorite just-witnessed tune. That said, in the moment, musical moments like 38 Planes, 28 Hours, On The Edge and Somewhere in the Middle of Nowhere are moving, thought-provoking and emotional.
Perhaps the most emotional musical moment comes with Prayer, as Jeremy Woodard and fellow cast mates sing a medley of faith-based tunes ranging from Prayer of St.Francis to Osseh Shalom. Regardless of what faith you might practice, it’s moments like this that have the potential to restore faith in not just your fellow human, but yourself.
In a glorious moment of empowerment, Marika Aubrey’s Captain Beverly and the female members of the cast come together for the beautiful written and performed Me and the Sky, on the surface, a simple narrative of Captain Bass’ life and career, but it’s so much more than that. Even as I headed home after Opening Night in Nashville, I kept remembering four simple words from this song…”I am suddenly alive”.
If you want to feel suddenly alive and be reminded to be kind to others and be in the moment, come from wherever you are to see Come From Away at TPAC’s Jackson Hall thru Sunday, April 24. CLICK HERE for tickets.
Not in Nashville, Come From Away continues its North American Tour with shows across the US and Canada through the fall. CLICK HERE for show dates and locations or follow Come From Away on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube & TikTok.
As for TPAC, as their Broadway Season and Special Presentations continue, next up is Oklahoma!, May 3-8 followed by the World Premiere presentation of May We All: A New Country Musical, June 7-July 17. Be sure to check out TPAC online and on socials by clicking any of the following: TPAC.org, TPAC on Instagram, TPAC on Facebook, TPAC on Twitter and TPAC on YouTube.
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