Wagnalls Community Theater

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Wagnalls Community Theater High-quality community theater, set in the beautiful and historic Wagnalls Memorial.

A community theater for all designed to give children and adults an opportunity to learn all of the aspects of working in live theater.

✈️ MEET THE REAL PEOPLE BEHIND THE STORY! 🌎💙As we get closer to bringing Come From Away to the Wagnalls stage, we’re con...
10/14/2026

✈️ MEET THE REAL PEOPLE BEHIND THE STORY! 🌎💙

As we get closer to bringing Come From Away to the Wagnalls stage, we’re continuing to introduce you to the real people whose kindness and compassion helped shape this incredible true story.

Today, we’re meeting Doug Harris, a Gander resident and air traffic controller who played a part in helping his community through the extraordinary events of September 11, 2001. 💙

While Doug had an important role at the airport, he also found ways to help beyond his professional duties. Alongside his wife, Bonnie, he helped care for the animals who had been stranded when the planes were diverted to Gander. 🐾

Doug’s story is a wonderful reminder that helping others doesn’t always mean doing something extraordinary. Sometimes, it means stepping up, lending a hand, and making sure those who depend on us are cared for.

As rehearsals continue, we’re excited to meet the real people that Come From Away portrays and learn more about the remarkable stories that inspired the show. 💙

🎟️ Come experience their story on stage:
https://wct.ludus.com/200517138

November 6–8 & 13–15, 2026
📍 The Wagnalls Memorial | Lithopolis, Ohio

✈️ MEET THE REAL PEOPLE BEHIND THE STORY! 🌎💙As we get closer to bringing Come From Away to the Wagnalls stage, we’re con...
10/14/2026

✈️ MEET THE REAL PEOPLE BEHIND THE STORY! 🌎💙

As we get closer to bringing Come From Away to the Wagnalls stage, we’re continuing to introduce you to the real people whose unexpected journeys revealed the very best of humanity.

Today, we’re meeting Bob, a character inspired by Tom McKeon, a real passenger who found himself unexpectedly diverted to Newfoundland on September 11, 2001. 💙

Tom’s experience took an unexpected turn when he arrived in Appleton, where a local resident offered him a car to help him get around. Even in the midst of an overwhelming and uncertain situation, the kindness of a stranger made a lasting impression.

His story reminds us that sometimes, the most powerful acts of kindness come from people who have no reason to help us other than the fact that we need it. The people of Newfoundland showed that compassion and generosity can shine through even in the most difficult circumstances.

As rehearsals continue, we’re excited to meet the real people that Come From Away portrays and learn more about the remarkable stories that inspired the show. 💙

🎟️ Come experience their story on stage:
https://wct.ludus.com/200517138

November 6–8 & 13–15, 2026
📍 The Wagnalls Memorial | Lithopolis, Ohio

10/14/2026

We are collecting personal care items for the month of October. This is in the spirit of community and in honor of the upcoming play, Come From Away. You can drop these items off in the main library.

✈️ MEET THE REAL PEOPLE BEHIND THE STORY! 🌎💙As we get closer to bringing Come From Away to the Wagnalls stage, we’re con...
10/13/2026

✈️ MEET THE REAL PEOPLE BEHIND THE STORY! 🌎💙

As we get closer to bringing Come From Away to the Wagnalls stage, we’re continuing to introduce you to the real people whose lives were forever touched by the kindness of the Gander community.

Today, we’re meeting Hannah O’Rourke, a native of Ireland and New York resident who was returning home to New York from Ireland when her plane was grounded in Gander on September 11, 2001. 💙

Hannah was also the mother of Kevin, an FDNY firefighter who responded to the attacks at the World Trade Center that day. While anxiously trying to reach her son and learn whether he was safe, Hannah found comfort in the kindness of the people around her. She formed a deep, lasting bond with Gander local Beulah Cooper, a friendship that helped carry her through an incredibly uncertain time.

Reflecting on her experience, Hannah said, “I can’t praise the people of Gander enough. They were so kind, so good to us. They opened their hearts and their homes.”

Hannah’s story reminds us that Come From Away is about more than diverted flights. It’s about the connections we make, the hope we hold onto, and the extraordinary ways strangers become family when we need it most.

As rehearsals continue, we’re honored to meet the real people that Come From Away portrays and share the remarkable true stories behind this unforgettable musical.

🎟️ Experience their stories come to life on stage!

https://wct.ludus.com/200517138

📅 November 6–8 & 13–15, 2026
📍 The Wagnalls Memorial | Lithopolis, Ohio

✈️ MEET THE REAL PEOPLE BEHIND THE STORY! 🌎💙As we get closer to bringing Come From Away to the Wagnalls stage, we’re con...
10/13/2026

✈️ MEET THE REAL PEOPLE BEHIND THE STORY! 🌎💙

As we get closer to bringing Come From Away to the Wagnalls stage, we’re continuing to introduce you to the real people whose lives were touched by the extraordinary kindness of the Gander community.

Today, we’re meeting Kevin J, who found himself far from home when his flight was diverted to Gander on September 11, 2001. 💙

As a visitor in an unfamiliar place during an incredibly uncertain time, Kevin worried about how he and his partner would be received. But the people of Gander welcomed them with open hearts, helping them feel safe, accepted, and part of the community.

Kevin’s story is a reminder that Come From Away is about more than an unexpected journey. It’s about the power of kindness, acceptance, and making people feel welcome just as they are.

As rehearsals continue, we’re excited to meet the real people that Come From Away portrays and learn more about the remarkable stories that inspired the show.

🎟️ Come experience their story on stage:
https://wct.ludus.com/200517138

November 6–8 & 13–15, 2026
📍 The Wagnalls Memorial | Lithopolis, Ohio

✈️ MEET THE REAL PEOPLE BEHIND THE STORY! 🌎💙As we get closer to bringing Come From Away to the Wagnalls stage, we’re con...
10/12/2026

✈️ MEET THE REAL PEOPLE BEHIND THE STORY! 🌎💙

As we get closer to bringing Come From Away to the Wagnalls stage, we’re continuing to introduce you to the real people whose lives were forever changed by the kindness of the Gander community.

Today, we’re meeting Nick Marson and Diane Kirschke, whose unexpected stop in Newfoundland led to a love story neither of them could have imagined. ❤️

Although Nick and Diane were on the same flight to Houston, they didn’t officially meet until they found themselves waiting in line for blankets in Gander. What began as an unexpected encounter grew into something extraordinary, and the two eventually married!

Their story is a beautiful reminder that even in the most uncertain moments, life can surprise us in the most wonderful ways. Sometimes, an unexpected detour leads you exactly where you’re meant to be. 💙

As rehearsals continue, we’re excited to meet the real people that Come From Away portrays and learn more about the remarkable stories that inspired the show.

🎟️ Come experience their story on stage:
https://wct.ludus.com/200517138

November 6–8 & 13–15, 2026
📍 The Wagnalls Memorial | Lithopolis, Ohio

✈️ RAIN OR SHINE, THE SHOW MUST GO ON! 🌎💙Despite the rain, the cast of Come From Away had an amazing time sharing a snea...
10/10/2026

✈️ RAIN OR SHINE, THE SHOW MUST GO ON! 🌎💙

Despite the rain, the cast of Come From Away had an amazing time sharing a sneak peek of our upcoming production at Groveport Apple Butter Day! 🍎🎭 A huge thank-you to everyone who came out to support us and braved the weather!

If you missed the performance, don't worry — you still have a chance to experience this incredible true story live on stage! 💙

Come From Away tells the remarkable story of what happened when 38 planes were diverted to the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, on September 11, 2001. What followed was an extraordinary display of kindness, compassion, and community that brought strangers together when the world needed it most.

Now, Wagnalls Community Theater is bringing this powerful, uplifting story to the stage, and we can't wait to share it with you!

🎟️ Don't miss your chance to see the full show!
https://wct.ludus.com/200517138

📅 November 6–8 & 13–15, 2026
📍 The Wagnalls Memorial | Lithopolis, Ohio

Come experience the story that reminds us what can happen when people open their hearts to strangers. 💙✈️

Despite the rain, the cast of Come From Away is excited to give a sneak peak of the show!
10/10/2026

Despite the rain, the cast of Come From Away is excited to give a sneak peak of the show!

✈️ MEET THE REAL PEOPLE BEHIND THE STORY! 🌎💙As we get closer to bringing Come From Away to the Wagnalls stage, we’re con...
10/09/2026

✈️ MEET THE REAL PEOPLE BEHIND THE STORY! 🌎💙

As we get closer to bringing Come From Away to the Wagnalls stage, we’re continuing to introduce you to the real people whose courage, compassion, and experiences helped shape this incredible true story.

Today, we’re meeting Captain Beverly Bass, a trailblazer in the aviation industry and the real-life inspiration behind Beverly Bass in Come From Away. ✈️💙

Beverly was already a pioneer in commercial aviation when her flight was among those diverted to Gander on September 11, 2001. Suddenly, she and her passengers found themselves far from their destination—and in the care of a community they had never expected to visit.

Her story is about more than being a pilot. It’s about finding strength and connection during an extraordinary moment and discovering the incredible kindness of the people of Gander.

As rehearsals continue, we’re excited to meet the real people that Come From Away portrays and learn more about the remarkable stories that inspired the show.

🎟️ Come experience their story on stage:
https://wct.ludus.com/200517138

November 6–8 & 13–15, 2026
📍 The Wagnalls Memorial | Lithopolis, Ohio

✈️ MEET THE REAL PEOPLE BEHIND THE STORY! 🌎💙As we get closer to bringing Come From Away to the Wagnalls stage, we’re con...
10/08/2026

✈️ MEET THE REAL PEOPLE BEHIND THE STORY! 🌎💙

As we get closer to bringing Come From Away to the Wagnalls stage, we’re continuing to introduce you to the real people whose stories helped shape this incredible true story.

Today, we’re meeting Janice Mosher, a character in Come From Away who is based on two real people from Gander: Janice Goudie and Brian Mosher. 📰💙

Janice represents the important role that local journalists played during those extraordinary days. With travelers suddenly arriving in Gander and so much happening in the community, keeping people informed became an essential part of helping everyone navigate the unexpected situation.

Her story is another reminder that the people of Gander each found their own way to contribute. Whether they were welcoming travelers, providing food and shelter, or simply sharing information, everyone had a role to play.

As rehearsals continue, we’re excited to meet the real people that Come From Away portrays and learn more about the remarkable stories that inspired the show.

🎟️ Come experience their story on stage:
https://wct.ludus.com/200517138

November 6–8 & 13–15, 2026
📍 The Wagnalls Memorial | Lithopolis, Ohio

Address

150 E Columbus Street
Lithopolis, OH
43136

Telephone

+16148374765

Website

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