Kindness is the Universal Language in Stages’s Season Finale, ‘Come...
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Stages concludes season
Kindness is the Universal Language in
Stages’s Season Finale, ‘Come From Away’
by Pat Lindsey
In the remote town of Gander, Newfoundland is an airport, 9,061 residents, and a Tim Horton’s coffee shop where everything begins and ends. Tuesday, September 11, 2001 began just like every other day in Gander, but the way it ended couldn’t have been imagined in a million years.
“Come From Away” is the true story of how the people of a small, rural community in Canada pulled together to provide food, shelter, clothing, and compassion for 7,000 strangers on one of the darkest days in America’s history. Thirty-eight planes were ordered to land in Gander after U.S. airspace was closed following the 9/11 attacks. The passengers had no idea why they were landing in this vast darkness.
Twenty-eight hours passed before they could deplane. They were desperate for information and an opportunity to phone home. After they were welcomed to “The Rock,” an affectionate nickname for Gander, they had no idea how long they would be staying. When they finally watched the news, they understood that there was nothing they could do but be patient.
A dozen amazing actors play the multiple roles of the flight crew, passengers, and townspeople for 100 mesmerizing minutes. Each actor deserves top billing, but notable is the first female American Airlines pilot (Beverley) played by Alena Watters, who sings a beautiful rendition of, “Me and the Sky.” Another memorable character is Hannah, the mother of a NYC fire-fighter played by Rheaume Crenshaw, who bonds with Beau (Zoe Vonder Haar) while she desperately tries to call her son in New York. She can bring tears with, “I Am Here.” Nick, played by Jamie LaVerdiere, the lone Brit in this group, befriends Diane (Amy Blake) a lovely woman from Houston.
The actors switch roles quickly as the story moves on through the four days the planes are grounded. In spite of the sad subject matter, there is humor and a world of hope, heart and humanity during their unplanned layover. To relieve boredom and keep them from watching news all day, the townspeople taught the passengers of various nationalities how to folk dance to Irish music. The “come from aways,” as the Ganders called them, were no longer strangers. As each day passed, they felt more like a cohesive family.
Irene Sankoff and David Hein created this show after going to Gander for the tenth anniversary of 9/11. Their interviews with the people who experienced this phenomenon were their inspiration for the book, music, and lyrics. The lyrics are lovelier than any dialogue that could have been written.
Only one versatile stage set and 12 actors creatively convert the stage from a Tim Horton’s coffee shop to the interior of a plane and then to a Legion hall. Scenic Designer Ann Beyersdorfer accomplished that feat by using a dozen wooden chairs from the coffee shop as the seats of a plane and a bus.
“Come From Away” is a small production that makes a huge impact on its audience. It shines a bright light on a dark day in American history and renews our faith in humanity. Director Michael Bello said “Come From Away” reminded him that ‘even in the most uncertain times, what unites us can be more powerful than what divides us.’ On that note, “Come From Away” will conclude the 40th anniversary celebration of Stages. “Come From Away will be performed at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center now through Oct. 18. For ticket information, go to StagesStLouis.org or call the Stages box office at 314-821-2407.
