ORLANDO — Watching the hit musical Come From Away, it’s almost difficult to remember that the story — which is based on true events — came out of a devastating tragedy, the 9-11 terrorist attacks. But as the quirky, clever and warm-hearted musical gets underway, it’s a smart reminder that even in tragic situations, there will also be stories of people who are heroic, self-sacrificing and valiant in challenging times.
So it was with the folks from Gander, Newfoundland, and how they reacted to a bizarre twist of fate following the horrific September 11 attacks.
Their response, beautifully captured in this Broadway hit, comes alive on stage at Orlando Shakes, which has opened its 2026-2027 season with this crowd-pleasing show. Come From Away is being performed at Shakes through Sunday, Sept. 27, but move fast: the theater is already enjoying sold out performances on this one.
What is the musical Come From Away?
Come From Away is an award-winning musical written by Irene Sankoff and David Hein that recounts the true story of how the U.S. closed its air space right after the terrorist attacks so safety procedures could be examined and improved. The closure of the air space left 7,000 airline passengers stranded in, of of all places, the small town of Gander in Newfoundland.
Thirty-eight planes got ordered to land at Gander International Airport. A town of 10,000 residents found its population had nearly doubled overnight. And yet the locals reacted positively, and found ways to house, feed, and provide a sense of comfort and accommodation to those stranded international passengers for 5 days.
With so many stranded passengers and locals eager to help, the playwrights had plenty to work with here. And they found ways to make this show, told almost entirely through music, an absolute joy to watch.
How is the Orlando Shakes production?
Directed by Thomas Ouellette, the production uses 12 talented actors to juggle multiple roles, from passengers to the Gander locals and family and friends back home; their vocal skills are put to excellent use here in musical numbers such as “38 Planes,” “Darkness And Trees” and “Somewhere In The Middle Of Nowhere,” which are lighthearted, humorous, and, more often than not, uplifting. It was a time of crisis, and people from across the globe came together in one tiny place.
The cast is uniformly excellent at capturing the right tone and vibe of this show, with its concept that new communities emerge when strangers develop friendships that form a last bond. The play ends 10 years after the terrorist attacks, as the locals and the once-stranded passengers reunite in Gander to celebrate the relationships that were formed in those 5 days. The final song, “Ten Years Later”/”Finale,” is a rousing, exhilarating number, and a fitting end to such a touching and emotional production.
I enjoyed how Shakes produced this one, with a live band (under the supervision of the musical director Bert Rodriguez) on stage, and minimal sets that allow the actors and townspeople to freely interact. I also liked the rotating stage as the passengers were in the air, signifying a flight in motion soon destined to land early. Another highlight of the show was the song “Screech In,” which introduced the Newfoundland way of welcoming newcomers with the simple idea: “Kiss the fish!” Shakes has its own artificial codfish in the lobby so you can take selfies kissing the fish — and come on, you know you want to!
A winner of many awards, the show might not have tossed in Walt Disney World’s tune “It’s A Small World” for good measure, but that doesn’t matter: the song’s enduring sentiment happily echoes throughout this entire production.
Where Can I See Come From Away?
Come From Away is being performed now through Sunday, Sept. 27 at Orlando Shakes, the theater at 812 E. Rollins St. in Loch Haven Park. The play is an hour and 45 minutes long, and is performed without intermission to maintain the energetic flow of the songs, so be cautious about how much water or coffee you consume before the show starts.
There will be a Post-Show Talk Back on Sunday, Sept. 6 following the 2 p.m. matinee, so stay to chat with members of the production.
Orlando Shakes will also host a Night of Remembrance, a special evening and fundraiser to benefit First Responders on Friday, Sept. 11 at 7:30 p.m. with a post-show talkback.
To order tickets or for more information, call (407) 447-1700.
Michael Freeman is an Orlando journalist, playwright, and author of the book “Bloody Rabbit”. Contact him at Freelineorlando@gmail.com.
