Tragedy inspires compassion from a Canadian town in the poignant Sept. 11-inspired 'Come From Away'

Posted August 02, 2019 12:00 pm

Gander, Newfoundland, locals Annette (Becky Gulsvig), left front, and Janice (Emily Walton), right front, celebrate the budding romance of Diane (Christine Toy Johnson) and Nick (Chamblee Ferguson), seen kissing in the Broadway tour of “Come From Away.” Courtesy of Matthew Murphy

“Come From Away” - ★ ★ ★ ★

At a time when compassion and decency often seem in short supply, the heartening musical “Come From Away” serves as a poignant reminder that those virtues have not disappeared. Not in Canada, where the residents of the small, island town of Gander, Newfoundland, possess them in abundance. They demonstrated as much nearly 18 years ago when they rallied to feed, house, clothe and console nearly 7,000 stranded travelers diverted to Gander International Airport - formerly a refueling stop for transatlantic flights - after officials closed U.S. airspace following the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. A tale of kindness in the wake of tragedy, the appealing, expressively crafted show - by composer/lyricist/writers Irene Sankoff and David Hein - reminds us that the worst of times can bring out the best in people.

The national tour of the heartwarming "Come From Away," about Canadian islanders who fed, clothed and consoled travelers stranded after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, plays Chicago's Cadillac Palace. Courtesy of Matthew Murphy

Best bring a tissue or two. Christopher Ashley's fluidly directed “Come From Away” is emotional without being cloying. Utterly sincere, it's well-served by its understated theatricality. And it's funny, with laugh-out-loud moments like the showstopper “Screech In” where the “plane people” become honorary citizens during a booze-fueled initiation that requires newcomers to kiss a cod.

The Celtic pop-infused score (robustly played by conductor Cynthia Kortman Westphal's onstage octet) reflects the spirit of the islanders, a resolute bunch who refuse to succumb to wind, winter or water. We meet them that September morning, going about their business. We watch them put their lives on hold to help strangers. And we marvel at their ingenuity in resolving language, cultural, dietary and sanitary challenges that accompany the swelling of the town's population to nearly twice its size.

Claude (Kevin Carolan), center, mayor of Gander, Newfoundland, Canada, welcomes "plane people" - including Kevin J. (Nick Duckart), downstage left, and Kevin T. (Andrew Samonsky), downstage right - stranded after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, in the national touring production of "Come From Away." Courtesy of Matthew Murphy

We also meet the passengers: frustrated, uncertain travelers eager to return home, with some dreading what they'll encounter. We see the situation affect their relationships: drawing them together or pushing them apart.

Twelve actors - including Chicago-area veterans Harter Clingman and James Earl Jones II - make up the cast. Taking on multiple roles, the actors shift between characters in the time it takes to shrug out of a jacket.

The characters, while likable, lack dimension. But director Christopher Ashley has assembled an accomplished cast, who convey with a glance the fear and grief that consumed so many that day.

A nicely determined Megan McGinnis plays SPCA-worker Bonnie, who defies authorities to tend to animals housed in the planes' cargo holds. Nick Duckart is terrific as Ali, a Middle Eastern man wounded by his fellow passengers' unfounded suspicions.

Islanders from Gander, Newfoundland, bond with their stranded traveler guests from around the world in the warmhearted musical "Come From Away," whose cast includes Chicago-area actors Harter Clingman, right, wearing hat, and James Earl Jones II, center. Courtesy of Matthew Murphy

Kevin Carolan inspires confidence as the take-charge Mayor Claude and Danielle K. Thomas breaks hearts as the mother of a New York City firefighter. One of the show's few solos belongs to American Airlines pilot Beverly, played by Becky Gulsvig, who recalls her passion for flying in a delicate, complex performance of “Me and the Sky.”

Ultimately, it's the message that makes “Come From Away” memorable: How the kindness and decency of the good people of Gander made an unimaginably horrible day a little better for those stranded travelers.

Location: Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago, (800) 775-2000 or broadway inchicago.com

Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday, through Aug. 18. Also 7:30 p.m. Aug. 4

Running time: About one hour, 40 minutes; no intermission

Tickets: $35-$105

Parking: Paid lots nearby

Rating: For teens and older, includes adult language, references

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