How a tiny Newfoundland town became the unlikely heart of a global Broadway hit
In short: When 38 planes were grounded in Gander, Newfoundland, following the September 11 attacks, the town’s population nearly doubled overnight. The musical Come from Away captures how residents sheltered 7,000 stranded passengers, transforming a moment of global crisis into a profound, record-breaking story of human connection and unexpected community.
Conceived by producer Michael Rubinoff, the musical was developed through the Canadian Music Theatre Project at Sheridan College. Writers Irene Sankoff and David Hein, who were in New York during the 2001 attacks, spent a month in Gander in 2011 interviewing residents to build their script. The resulting 100-minute, one-act show serves as a tribute to the real people of Gander, though the characters themselves are fictionalized composites of those who provided food, shelter, and comfort to the displaced travelers.
The production’s trajectory was marked by rapid success. After a 2015 premiere at the La Jolla Playhouse and a record-breaking run at Seattle Repertory Theatre, it moved to Broadway in 2017. With a $12 million capitalization, the show proved to be a financial powerhouse, recouping its costs in just eight months. Its narrative—which balances the disorientation of passengers with the logistical challenges of the townspeople—resonated globally, leading to productions in countries including Australia, the Netherlands, and Sweden.
The show’s impact extends beyond the stage. It has been a critical success, winning the Best Direction of a Musical Tony for Christopher Ashley and Best New Musical at the 2019 Laurence Olivier Awards. Despite the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced closures and cancellations across its international runs, the musical remains a testament to the events of September 11. It captures a specific, poignant moment in history when a small Canadian town became a refuge for the world, proving that even in the face of global tragedy, individual acts of kindness can define a legacy.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Come from Away
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