Photo credit: Brett Beiner Photograph
As I dabbed my eyes for at least the third—and not the last—time during Paramount Theatre’s production of Come From Away, I glanced around and saw the same gesture repeated all over the audience. Hands rose to eyes, women and men alike. Together, we were being pulled into a common bond of shared tragedy and compassionate hope. Come From Away touched me, and it seemed to touch most people in the theatre, on a level rarely reached—even in a place as magical as live theatre.
On September 11, 2001, about 7,000 passengers on 38 commercial planes were unexpectedly diverted to Gander, Newfoundland. Scared and confused, in a time before cell phones were universal, they landed in a small town that suddenly had to absorb a population nearly equal to its own. The people of Gander were just as shaken by the news from the United States, but they met fear with purpose, stepping in to care for the strangers in their midst. Come From Away tells their stories—both islanders and “plane people”—through a tight ensemble structure that shows how humans react in the face of immense tragedy. The musical resonates with the memories so many of us still carry from that day, allowing space for collective grief while also reminding us that love, patience, and simple acts of caring can make the world better.
Paramount’s intimate space is perfectly suited for this big-hearted yet personal show. The set, designed by Milo Blue, surrounds us with the woodsy feel of Newfoundland, while the musicians, under Kory Danielson’s direction, remain visible onstage—an integral part of the storytelling. Under Trent Stork’s direction, 12 actors weave in and out of multiple roles,with simple costume shifts and dialect changes letting us know if the character is from Gander or France or Africa or New York City or all of the places in between that landed in Newfoundland that day.
The show would falter without a strong ensemble and each of the 12 ensemble members plays multiple parts, making it hard to pick out individuals for praise. Andrea Prestinario’s rendition of “Me and the Sky” is a showstopper— determined, and inspiring as she embodies Beverly, the first female American Airlines captain and the first woman to fly into Gander. Soulfully, she sings her story of dreaming of becoming a pilot and the obstacles she overcame. And while, like so many of us experienced, September 11 was a gut punch, she won’t let it stop her from loving her job. Other moments that captured me were Abby C. Smith, as Beulah, and the believable and compassionate bond she created with Hannah (Soara-Joye Ross), who aches for news of her firefighter son in New York. Michelle Duffy shines as Bonnie, the determined SPCA worker who fights to care for the animals stranded in cargo holds. Zak Berger and Adam Qutaishat, as Kevin T. and Kevin J., capture the complexities of how differently people process the same situation.
For those of us who lived through September 11, Come From Away feels especially poignant. I was safe at home in the Chicago suburbs that day, yet this production reminded me how raw the emotions still are, even decades later. It felt good to cry among strangers who were crying too, to be reminded not just of our shared grief but of the extraordinary kindness humans are capable of.
I’ve yet to be disappointed in a Paramount Theatre production, and Come From Away exceeded even my high expectations. This is a beautiful, necessary show—one that leaves you both heartbroken and uplifted, and one I’ll carry with me for a long time.
Come from Away is now playing at the Paramount Theatre, 23 East Galena Blvd., Aurora, through October 12. Performance times vary; check the website at Paramount Theatre. Find more information about current plays on our Current Shows page and at theatreinchicago.com.