08/18/2026
Review by Bonnie Goldberg of COME FROM AWAY at The Ivoryton Playhouse
The world changed forever on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. Today 25 years later the effects of that tragic day are still echoing in our history. It is our duty and responsibility to remember that day and learn the lessons it taught us. The Ivoryton Playhouse is giving us that unique opportunity and I urge you to take advantage of this gift by attending a performance of "Come From Away."
This incredible musical focuses its attention on five days of our past and some of the worst events in our country’s history, the destruction of towering buildings in New York City and government structures in Washington, D. C. on 9/11/2001. Ten years later husband and wife David Hein and Irene Sankoff traveled to Gander, Newfoundland to record the amazing story of a humanitarian miracle. Without warning on that fateful day, 38 planes from all over the world were diverted to Gander, once a major stop for refueling for international flights, but long since abandoned as planes no longer needed to stop for more gas.
The almost 6700 passengers on the planes, the pilots and the people of Gander had no idea what was happening. Without warning or preparation, the good citizens of the small town rushed to open their homes and hearts to those strangers, providing baby formula, dog food, pillows and blankets, casseroles, a place to sleep and comfort before the tragedy was even revealed.
Run to the Ivoryton Playhouse for a marvelous musical that captures the generosity of this small community of Canadians until Sunday, September 6 as “Come From Away” soars on magical wings into Connecticut.
The planes were originally diverted for fear some were also part of the terrorist plot, like the plane that crashed in a Pennsylvania forest. The 11,000 citizens of Gander didn’t stop to ask questions. The striking bus drivers immediately returned to work to ferry the passengers around town. Twelve incredible actors-Mimi Bessette, Patrick Steven Bovo, Dana Costello, Dee-Dee Darby-Duffin, Joseph Dellger, Stacia Fernandez, Miles Hanna, Logan Marks, Jason Ivan Rodriguez, Autumn Eliza Sheffy, Billy Clark Taylor and Vicki Wepler-
and eight inspired musicians-Angie Benson, Mark Gehret, Israel Corona, Austin Tewksbury, Dakota Singerline, Tara McGurk, Em Squatrito and Sam Moffet- will take you on the journey of generosity, playing the passengers, pilots and people of Gander to musically illustrate the way good folks can respond with hope in the midst of devastating tragedy.
Come visit the dog catcher, the mayor, the chief of police, the first female pilot to command a major airline jumbo jet, a woman who fears her fireman son has been lost in the downing of the World Trade Center, a gay couple searching for acceptance, two strangers who find each other and romance and so much more.
This is a musical happening, brimming with spirit and patriotism, a tribute to faith and resilience, a gift of compassion in the face of tremendous loss. I was fortunate enough to see the birth of “Come From Away” for the first time at the Goodspeed’s Festival of New Musicals when the initial staged reading took place and also attend the Broadway production the day Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau brought 500 of his people to see the show in New York on Canada’s 150th birthday.
Stirring songs like “WELCOME TO THE ROCK,” “ON THE EDGE,”
“ME AND THE SKY,” and “38 PLANES” embrace the action. Todd L. Underwood beautifully directs and choreographs this amazing true tale.
For tickets ($65, seniors $60, students $25), call the Ivoryton Playhouse, 103 Main Street, Ivoryton at 860-767-7318 or online at ivorytonplayhouse.org.
This is not a show to be missed. If nothing else, it will restore your faith in the innate goodness of neighbors to reach out and hug you with friendship and love.
