Come From Away
The play Come From Away is one of those breathtaking theatrical productions that is so amazing that you forget it's about one of America's most tragic moments: the bombing of the World Trade Center's Twin Towers in New York. A moment in time that still troubles my spirit and stirs a profound sense of sorrow within me; when I went to see the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, it caused my soul to shed a tear. It's something that the world will never forget, nor should we. From the book, music, and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, Marriott Theater continues this extraordinary production, sharing the compelling stories of the people from Gander, a small and welcoming town in Newfoundland, who came together in a remarkable display of humanity during a time of crisis, housing, feeding, and caring for around 7,000 stranded travelers.
The play captures the anxieties surrounding the possibility of planes being involved in a terrorist attack, resulting in the grounding of both aircraft and passengers for over 28 hours. Isolated from the outside world with no means of communication, the passengers were completely unaware of the catastrophic events unfolding in New York and Washington, D.C. It wasn't until they finally disembarked that they experienced a surreal moment when life as they knew it abruptly changed, as if time itself had stopped.
Come From Away features 17 songs, and opens with a powerful rendition of "Welcome to the Rock, and features other notable songs, including " I Am Here," sung by Sharrise Hamilton as Hannah, who laments not hearing from her son, a New York fireman. The production singles out several personal stories, with one giving homage to Beverly Bass, the first female pilot for American Airlines, with an inspirational song, "Me and the Sky," along with other memorable songs from 28 Hours/ Wherever We Are and Something's Missing. There is also a scene that illustrates the pervasive hatred experienced by one passenger who got icy stares and felt the judgment directed at him, fueled by the belief that he might be linked to the Islamic terrorist organization responsible for the horrific attacks on the towers.
The twelve-member cast, featuring six understudies, has most cast members playing multiple roles as plane passengers and people from Gander. The four-corner stage at the Marriott presents certain challenges, notably the layout that frequently leaves audience members viewing the backs of the actors, which can diminish the overall impact of the performance. However, they offset the loss by incorporating a rotating circular staging platform. This innovation allows for a more dynamic presentation, enabling actors to face different sections of the audience and engage them more effectively throughout the show.
Marriott's Come From Away runs for approximately one hour and 40 minutes, with no intermission. It's an incredible, non-stop performance that's truly a "Must See," transforming a historical tragedy into an uplifting story of triumph and love that ends with a ten-year reunion with the crew and passengers coming back to the town on the Rock called Gander to honor what was lost but celebrate what they found.
This coming September 11 will mark 25 years since the devastating events that changed the world forever. We will forever hold in our hearts the memory of those who tragically lost their lives that day and pay tribute to the heroic men and women who bravely risked everything to save others. Their courage and selflessness continue to inspire us all, and we will always remember.
⭐⭐⭐ ½ STARS
Marriott Theatre
Come From Away
Book, Music and Lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein
Choreographed by Katie Spelman
Directed by Jessica Fisch
August 26 - October 18, 2026
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