Broadway In Chicago presents COME FROM AWAY.
The details of September 11, 2001, both historic and personal, are embedded in my memory. The images of the planes crashing into the towers and my own urgent need to be with friends at a Chicago neighborhood bar co-exist in my mind as collateral damage to the tragic day’s event. Despite being transfixed on what was going on in the U.S. at that time, I had no idea what was happening in Canada. The U.S. closed its airspace. This diverted 239 planes to Canadian airports. 75 of those planes were sent to Newfoundland and Labrador. Gander, Newfoundland (population 9,651 in 2001) took in 38 of those planes and approximately 6,595 passengers and crew.
The creative team of Irene Sankoff and David Hein (book, music, lyrics) imagine how the small village of Gander cared for an insurgence of ‘plane people’ in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Sankoff and Hein’s storytelling captivates. The play opens up with the mayor’s daily visit to the local Tim Horton for a Pepsi. The ensemble sings “Welcome to the Rock” establishing this homespun, goodness vibe. Their daily routine is interrupted as they learn that about 7,000 displaced people will be arriving soon. The locals spring into action with heroic practicality as they sing “38 Planes” and “Blankets and Bedding.”
Under the masterful direction of Christopher Ashley, this ensemble crushes it playing both displaced travelers and quirky townsfolk. Ashley’s rhythm utilizes a rotating stage to keep the storytelling moving in whimsy. The energetic cast seamlessly transform into a different persona without leaving the stage. They put on a hat or glasses and an accent for an impressive transformation. And these metamorphosis are ongoing and instantaneous. The ensemble is superb! And nod out to Chicago’s own versatile James Earl Jones II as the reluctant grill-stealing Bob, a smooth-talking pilot and an anxious African family man.
We meet the passengers uninformed and stuck on planes for over 28 hours. Their growing irritation and fear are introduced in the folksy tune “28 Hours/Wherever We Are.” I find myself on the cusp of tears knowing that their worst fears will soon be realized. They will be forced to sip from the fire hydrant of knowledge. They will be drenched in the horrific events while being thousand of miles away from family, friends, and their country. And here’s the beautiful, uplifting and real life twist, these throngs of battered and scared travelers will be scooped up by kind-hearted strangers.
COME FROM AWAY is a love sonnet to humanity. Kindness over adversity is a timeless sentiment that is particularly relevant during a pandemic. I loved this show! The inspirational story of the Ganderites is told in an entertaining and uplifting way. COME FROM AWAY is the perfect hygee for a pandemic winter!
Running Time: One hour and forty-five minutes with no intermission
Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph
Book, Music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein
Directed by Christopher Ashley
Musical staging by Kelly Devine
Music supervision by Ian Eisendrath
Music conductor: Myrna Conn
Thru March 6th
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Production Photos by Matthew Murphy
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