- Rating
COME FROM AWAY
Come From Away, a Broadway musical is one of the rare joyful remembrances of 9/11. The heartache and confusion of that day are present in Come From Away. But the all-inclusive generosity and respect of people that come together and help each other is the emotion you take away. Come From Away is a true event that happened in the days following 9/11.
Immediately after 9/11, the United States stopped all planes from entering the U.S. air space. Over forty wide-bodied planes with close to seven thousand international passengers were diverted to a large but little used airport located in Gander, Newfoundland, Canada. I tear up just writing this, remembering the generosity people are capable of (well, at least Canadian people).
© 2021 The Mark Gordon Company − All right reserved.
This number of passengers overwhelms the city so the people of Gander volunteer to house and feed the passengers. Watching the passengers process what is happening to them – both the good and the bad events – plus the quirky and wonderful people of Gander make this musical a worthwhile watch.
Beverly Bass, the first woman Captain of an American Airlines commercial flight, is a key figure in Come From Way. Click on this link to watch an excellent summary of the Gander event from the real Beverly Bass (at least watch the first 10-minutes).
A diverse group of ordinary-looking people makes up the skilled Broadway cast. Each cast member plays at least two characters. Cast members seamlessly switch from a Canadian Newfoundlander to an international airline passenger, or to one in the flight crew. All voices are outstanding, and most members have a solo song for their character. Jenn Colella, as Captain Beverly Bass of American Airlines Flight 49, sings the show-stopping “Me and the Sky” a solo about her life-long desire to fly and what 9/11 means to her. Ms. Colella was nominated in 2017 for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her Broadway performance in Come From Away.
Jenn Colella as Captain Beverly Bass © 2021 The Mark Gordon Company − All right reserved.
Come From Away has constant movement and fun, and switches between a variety of topics all respectively approached. Addressed in a touching and uplifting manner are the New York City Firefighters, racial tensions, same-sex relationships, Islam, and Judaism.
Come From Away, a Broadway musical is a worthwhile and entertaining watch that will make you feel good.
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