“Come From Away,” the Canadian hug we needed

Come From Away is an authentic and clever adaptation of a true story where thousands of airline passengers were diverted to a small-town island in Canada after the September 11, 2001 attacks. This heartbreaking yet heartwarming story is delivered by a cast of just 12 people, who somehow embody all of the 7000+ diverted passengers and residents of Gander, Newfoundland. Each cast member was able to clearly change their roles on a dime furthering the storyline and drawing you in deeper by the minute.

Cailin Standyk (Beverly & others) truly lives and breathes her role as one of the first female pilots who battles with her love of flying during such a tumultuous time for our country. James Kall (Nick & others) and Christine Toy Johnson’s (Diane & others) love story fills our hearts and has us rooting for them every step of the way, while the Kevins’ (Ali Momen & Jeremy Woodard) love story shows the reality of how trauma and grief can affect us and our relationships. Harter Clingman (Oz & others) shows us his raw talent with his ability to present as a completely different person each time his character and voice change. Kristen Peace (Bonnie & others) takes the cake with her wit and humor. Her steadfast mission to not let the pets and animals of the passengers be left behind is inspiring.

While Come From Away may come off campy at times, the wholesome and simplistic storyline shows the depths of human kindness in this small town and how it infected these thousands of passengers from around the world, leaving an indelible mark on their lives for years to come.

From humor to grief to falling in love, Come From Away has everything you would want to catch in an on — or off — Broadway show. Go see it while you can!

Come From Away is playing for a short engagement at the Academy of Music from February 9-12, 2023. Get your tickets here.