South Bay Musical Theatre - The Golden Bay Times

An ordinary day in Gander, Newfoundland, suddenly becomes anything but ordinary when 38 airplanes arrive carrying thousands of passengers who never intended to visit. Following the September 11 attacks and the closure of American airspace, this small Canadian community finds itself facing an enormous question: how do you welcome the world when the world is frightened, exhausted, and desperate to phone home? Teachers, bus drivers, local officials, and other residents scramble to find blankets, meals, and somewhere for their unexpected guests to sleep. Meanwhile, the travelers try to understand what has happened and what comes next. Languages collide, personalities rub together, and unfamiliar customs make an already bewildering situation even stranger. Written by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, this musical draws on real experiences, pairing a lively, folk-influenced score with stories of people suddenly sharing the same uncertain patch of ground. Humor emerges from human awkwardness rather than from the tragedy surrounding them. With its attention to both the stranded passengers and their resourceful hosts, Come From Away opens the door to an extraordinary encounter, where the smallest gestures can matter enormously and hospitality becomes a task for an entire town.