Come From Away

Sometimes the context you see something in is as important as the show.

Sometimes, the day you see a show gives it a different meaning. Seeing Come From Away on November 6th 2024, is one of those days. If ever a reminder of the goodness of humanity against the face of world events was needed, this was probably it. Seeing it in Canada, perhaps a slightly more cynical ‘hope in Canada in the face of shit going down in the US.’ was also…pretty apt. But this is Come From Away, so let’s stick to the more hopeful faith in humanity. 

The show itself is as brilliant as ever—perhaps ever. Personally, having only seen the London production (and all love to that company, who were phenomenal), finally seeing it with true Canadian accents was Chefs Kiss, as was the array of very specific jokes that kind of only work on home soil. 

Many of the cast are returning to ‘the rock’ in this production, and the cast is uniformly brilliant. Come From Away works intrinsically on an ensemble basis, so every cast member is a vital part of it. The ensemble nature of the piece is truly its strength, from the seamless choreography (often chair-ography) that moves from scene to scene taking us from plane to bar, to school, to plane again dozens of times over. The musical is made up of probably over 100 micro scenes, and each cast member takes on at least 6 or more characters each over the course of the show. All done with minimal set and props, all reliant on the talent of each performer to communicate the characters/moments/story and with this cast- you can feel the show is truly part of them. 

This could be a review of the outstanding cast, impeccable book, music, and staging. But sometimes, the message of a show is more important than the component parts, and seeing it on November 6th, 2024, feels like one such moment. 

Come From Away is about a moment where humanity stepped up in the face of turmoil, tragedy and adversity. It is also about the way humanity wins through the darkest of days. Above all too, it’s about humans finding common ground, common good and being simply good to one another when times feel their hardest. There was of course, an added poignant element to seeing it in Canada the day after U.S election day, but really like 9/11 itself, it’s not just about the day, the moment something bad happens…it’s about what’s next. 

And perhaps that’s what Come From Away can continue to stand for; what’s next. For many these are troubling dark political times. One particular election or not, things have been a scary place for many for a long time. One thing I have long admired about Come From Away is the way it foregrounds minority groups. Its stories are about women, Queer people, people of Colour. Whether that’s a female airline captain, or a mother worried about her son. A gay couple wondering if they’re safe in this small town in the middle of nowhere, or an Egyptian man who just wants to help cook. Come From Away shows us their stories are important, that everyone’s story is part of something. It also weaves these minority groups in without fanfare, without it being about being gay, or a woman, or a person of colour. 

In the way Come From Away weaves together all these smaller stories to tell us the bigger story of what happened in Gander, it shows us the richness of our communities if we only care to look. Perhaps that, almost 25 years on, is the enduring message of those planes landing in Gander; what richness of a community we can have if only we care to look. It is also a story about what a community can do if it works together. In these strange trying times one of the most powerful lines on this viewing was from the bus driver saying ‘Our quarrel is with our employer, not these people.’ we get so caught up in our own issues, sometimes rightly so, but we forget to direct our anger where it counts. The anger of the striking bus drivers is with the big bosses, not the people stranded in need of transport. Perhaps that’s another good lesson to remember; direct the rage upwards, where it belongs, help the people around you who need it. 

And that truly is the heart of it. Community. The people of Gander no more had control over the events on 9/11 than any of us do post a certain election, or in these trying political times worldwide to personally alter the course of the Big Historical Events that we all find ourselves living through over and over. What we can do, is what the people of Gander did when those planes landed: we can help out in our community. Be that cooking, driving, donating or even, just listening. 

One of the most powerful of story arcs in the show is Beulah being there for Hannah. While Hannah worries about her son in New York, Beulah sits with her, listens to her, tells her a stupid joke. They are worlds apart usually in their life experience Beulah can do nothing to influence what happens to Hannah’s son, but she can be there, she can listen, she can support. 

The world feels like a dark place right now. Seeing Come From Away the day after the US election was a stark reminder that the Big Historical Events spin on without us often. And it’s a scary place to be often. But amid the scary things beyond our control, we have the power to maybe do a little good where we can. Build a little community. The show about a community bourne out of tragedy and terrifying circumstances felt like an apt one to see that day. And a good set of lessons to be reminded of. 

Come From Away is at the Royal Alexandria Theatre Toronto, until March 2025. Tickets here.