Come from Away national touring production, at Philadelphia’s Academy of Music through November 3, 2019.
This unpretentious musical delighted me when it opened on Broadway early in 2017. And it impressed a Philadelphia audience last night at the Academy of Music, which largely didn’t know what to expect.
Just as the residents of Newfoundland were unprepared for what transpired on September 11, 2001.
Come from Away opens with the residents of Gander in Newfoundland going through their daily routine, then learning that 38 airplanes were ordered to land unexpectedly at their airport because of the terrorist attack on the United States.
It’s a heart-tugging true story about how the Canadians welcomed thousands of stranded passengers after air travel was shut down. They said to the strangers: “Here’s a key to my house. I put out fresh towels and there’s food in the refrigerator for you.”
The inspiring book and score of Come From Away are by the Canadian married couple Irene Sankoff and David Hein. They capture the culture of Newfoundland which is strongly influenced by Irish music. A folky bluegrass flavor dominates the opening song, “Welcome To The Rock,” and most of what follows.
The cast has notable articulation and projection, which is important because lots of information has to be supplied rapidly through the lyrics.
A standout in the score is “Me And The Sky,” a Broadway-style ballad sung by Marika Aubrey, playing a Texan pilot who actually was American Airlines’ first woman captain. Another highlight is a prayer based on the Hebrew “Oseh shalom” which is sung by the ensemble. Danielle K. Thomas as the mother of a New York firefighter passionately sings “I Am Here.”
All of the cast double as islanders and visitors, making quick changes of accent and body language. They’re in constant motion, as staged by Christopher Ashley. Kevin Carolan as the mayor of Gander has an infectious personality. James Earle Jones II (a cousin of the other James Earle Jones) impresses especially with his humor.
The outstanding element of Come From Away is its blend of comedy, tragedy and togetherness.
The orchestrator Ian Eisendrath supervises a seven-person band which accompanies all the songs and adds a brief concert at the closing.