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Friend of LemonWade and longtime Seattle-ite Starla “Idabelle” Smith sends the following report: “Come From Away,” is the first musical to play on the Seattle Repertory Theatre’s main stage in 15 years, and you shouldn’t miss it. Not because it’s the greatest musical ever, but because it abounds with heart, humor, and humanity. A welcome diversion from the current climate of gun violence, terrorism and racism. A co-production with La Jolla Playhouse, “Come From Away” is based on inspiring true events that occurred during the tragedy of 9/11. While the world was consumed with horror, a life-affirming story got lost in the deluge of media coverage. 9/11 tore people apart, but in a tiny town in Newfoundland, Canada, it brought an unlikely group of strangers together.

The remote town of Gander, population 9,000, welcomed 7,000 airline passengers from 38 planes. They had been diverted when the US closed the air space after the attacks, and Gander’s aging airport, a World War II staging point, was in the right location.

Passengers sat on the Gander tarmac for as long as 24 hours before they were allowed to disembark without their luggage, not knowing where they were or why they were there.

Gander townsfolk didn’t hesitate. They opened their hearts and homes and put their own lives on hold to help 7,000 strangers from around the world.

Bus drivers suspended their strike and transported the “plane people” to local schools, churches, and community centers, occasionally delayed by a moose moseying down the middle of the road.

Beds were provided. Prescriptions were filled free of charge. Grocery stores opened their doors and said, “Take whatever you need.” Toothbrushes, soap, diapers. The unexpected guests were fed and clothed in small-town couture. Animals were rescued from the cargo holds. A call went out for toilet paper.

Gander folks refused monetary compensation. “You would have done the same for us.” they said.

Five years went into the creation of “Come From Away” (Newfoundland jargon for “outsider”) Canadian duo Irene Sankoff and David Hein (book, music and lyrics) based characters on real people. Actual anecdotes and sound bytes are strung together, juxtaposing friendly, homespun banter and passenger anxiety, often with humor.

Skillfully directed by Christopher Ashley (“Memphis”), the 100-minute musical delivers a folksy charm, without resorting to clichés or gushing sentimentality. A talented 12-actor ensemble doubles as townsfolk and passengers, and 5th Avenue Theatre mainstay, Ian Eisendrath, leads the lively onstage band.

If you grew up in or near a small town, you may know a Beulah (Astrid Van Wieren), Gander’s compassionate take-charge matron, or a Claude (Joel Hatch), the affable mayor. And if you’re a frequent flyer, you may recognize passengers– the techy businessman, the Orthodox Jew and the Texas divorcee, among others.

Romance blossomed on Gander streets between divorced Diane (Sharon Wheatley), and Nick (Lee MacDougall), a shy English engineer. Their real-life counterparts fell in love and married.

Others weren’t as lucky. A mother (Q Smith) waited by the phone, hoping to hear from her Brooklyn firefighter son. An Egyptian Muslim (Caesar Samayoa), tried to clear up misconceptions about his religion, an African-American (Rodney Hicks) panicked when Mayor Claude told him to go through white backyards and collect grills for a massive barbeque.

In a lighter vein, there was dancing, hoedown style, while cardiologists in matching white coats, showed off their “Channing Tatum” moves. A gay couple was good-naturedly outed, and the collective reaction to Gander’s casserole specialty, fish and cheese, was priceless. Thankfully, Irish whiskey was plentiful.

A favorite moment in the musical introduced the “screech-in”–a tradition that bestows honorary Newfoundlander status. First take a shot of the local brew—40% rum. Second, kiss a dead fish—usually cod. The divorcee drank the shot but refused to kiss the cod. Instead she honed in on a passenger (Maybe he was a Pisces.)

There are no starring roles in “Come From Away,” but many of the actors have Broadway credits. Among those, Chad Kimball (Colin 1) was Tony-nominated for his role in “Memphis,” and Jenn Colella (Captain Beverly) recently co-starred with Idina Menzel in the Broadway production of “If/Then.”

The music is best described as folk anthem rock. Songs mirror the stage action–“Blankets and Bedding,” “Prayer,” “Somewhere in the Middle of Nowhere” and “Something’s Missing.” Oddly, there’s no title tune.

Most numbers are performed by the entire ensemble. One exception, “Me and the Sky,” gets show-stopping treatment by Collela. She has a terrific voice and vocal range, but the lyrics tend to ramble.

Beowulf Boritt’s simplistic set consists of a dozen or so mismatched chairs, a couple of tables, a few boxes randomly stacked and a revolving center stage, “Les Miserables” style. Chairs are maneuvered into different formations to represent locations, illuminated by Howard Binkley’s superb lighting.

An enthusiastic Seattle Repertory opening night audience leaped to their feet, cheering performers through four curtain calls. However, if “Come From Away” has Broadway aspirations–and why wouldn’t it–the show’s beginning, for instance, needs tweaking before it lands on the Great White Way.

Although the score is heartwarming, you won’t leave humming any tunes, but you will have new hope for humanity.

In the Thanksgiving spirit, a small Canadian town showed the world what true giving is all about.

Complete cast list: Jenn Colella (Beverly), Chad Kimball (Colin 1), Joel Hatch (Claude), Rodney Hicks (Bob), Caesar Samayoa (Colin 2), Q Smith (Lana), Astrid Van Wieren (Beulah), Sharon Wheatley (Diane), Petrina Bromley (Bonnie), Lee MacDougall (Nick), Kendra Kassebaum (Janice), Eric Ankrim (Oz).

“Come From Away” runs 100 minutes with no intermission. Through December 13th at Seattle Repertory Theatre’s Bagley Wright theater, Tickets available at 206-443-2222 or online at www.seattlerep.org.

Photo credit: Chris Bennion

by Brendan Lemon | 11/25/15 | Leave a comment |