A musical about the aftermath of 9/11 doesn’t sound very exciting. However, Come From Away is surprisingly uplifting and inspiring.

Completely sung-through, Come From Away follows the journey of passengers on September 11, 2001, after the terrorist attacks took place in the U.S. Since all flights were forbidden to land on or take off from American soil, 38 of them landed in a small town in Canada called Gander. The musical, then, shows us how the residents welcomed the nearly 7,000 passengers and how everyone was dealing with that awful situation.

In only 100 minutes and with 12 actors on stage, portraying dozens of different characters, the audience falls completely in love with Ganders and its citizens, as well as with the kindness, generosity, and solidarity they display. Many of the characters are named after real people and based on their true stories. One of them, for example, is Captain Beverley Bass, the first female pilot of American Airlines, played by the great Jenn Colella. Her song is one of the best ones (“Me and the Sky”).

In this fast-paced musical, some characters start romantic relationships, while others decide to break-up. There are even those whose children are missing in New York after the attacks.

The staging is incredibly smart, allowing the fast changing of costumes and sets, so that we are able to witness as many storylines as possible, and the result is both heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. It’s impossible not to hear many audience members crying, especially towards the end. 

More than a story about a terrorist attack, Come From Away gives us hope in humankind and shows that we are all connected. If you are in New York, it is an unmissable musical.

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