Review: “Come From Away” tells uplifting 9/11 story

The terrorist attacks of 9/11 were an unspeakable tragedy that impacted many, both inside and outside of the United States. Most were grieving, and some were stranded.

The Broadway musical “Come from Away” tells the true story of the town of Gander, Newfoundland, and how they took in thousands of passengers after their planes were forced to make an emergency landing after the 9/11 attacks. The small town with a population of 7,000 took in nearly the same amount of people from the flights. What follows is a touching story highlighting the impacts that kindness can have in a time of tragedy.

The musical’s staging was very skilled. The small cast of 12 made for a unique way of switching between the people of Gander and the stranded passengers. The props were simple, using objects such as tables and chairs. Additionally, the costumes were basic and muted, with everyone wearing everyday clothing. I appreciated the simplicity of the set because I was able to focus on the storyline instead of distracting special effects. The understated production was very effective in conveying the modesty of Gander as a town. It wasn’t over-the-top, but it was impactful.

The music in “Come from Away” was amazing. It was meaningful, complex, and helped to tell the story. With all of the cast members being talented singers, I felt many goosebump-inducing moments throughout the show. The songs were powerful and catchy. Almost the entirety of the show was singing, so it was skillfully arranged to show the time change and switching between the perspectives of the passengers and citizens of Gander.

“Come From Away” highlighted the power of human kindness. After finding out that planes were landing, the people of Gander did not hesitate to begin preparing for them. They offered their homes to complete strangers, collected food donations to feed them, and showed them what life was like in their small town.

I found the resounding kindness to be the most impactful message of the musical. Through their actions, the people of Gander helped make a terrifying time a little less difficult. The grieving passengers were welcomed with open arms, with many forming lifelong friendships with each other. The production has the potential to inspire many to reflect and change their ways by becoming friendlier to others.

This musical was far from sunshine and rainbows. Although there were some lighthearted moments, the overall tone of this show was heavy. It featured grief, loss, and the difficulties that people faced as they attempted to go back to normal after such a traumatic event.

“Come From Away” is available on AppleTV+ for free with a subscription.

Although viewers may need to open a box of tissues, “Come From Away” is a musical that is important for everyone to watch. Alongside telling a profound story of kindness amidst tragedy, it also offers opportunity for reflection, as we all wonder if we would behave the same as the people of Gander, Newfoundland, if we were in their situation.