If someone asked me to pick a ‘perfect’ recent musical I would probably go with either Daddy Long Legs or Come From Away. Are either technically perfect? Of course not but there is very little I would change to either show. When a company puts either on they really just need to get out of the way and let the finely crafted pieces of musical theatre do their jobs. Such is the case with the new production of Come From Away at PTC. It is a warm hug of a show and sometimes we all need a musical theatre hug.

If you haven’t seen Come From Away it takes us back to September 11, 2001 when 38 planes were ordered to land at the Gander Airport in Newfoundland, Canada. Overnight a small city was forced to accommodate 7,000 unexpected guests and their animals. This all while dealing with the panic of terrorists attacks in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington DC. I remember the fear of those days, and I can’t even imagine if I had been out East or traveling what that would be like (I was 20 and a college senior at BYU.)

Come From Away is known for having a simple set and the set designer at PTC, Jo Winiarski, elevates the experience with her booth-style chairs that can be flipped into various configurations making everything from airplanes to the town pub. The only part of the set I didn’t love is instead of the neutral background of the Broadway show they went for a large circular logo made of trees. While I’m sure they were going for a professional airport aesthetic it looked too corporate and cold for this warm and cozy show. It just didn’t fit the vibe of the piece in my opinion.

The biggest challenge director Karen Azenberg faces is managing the large (and talented) cast who all play multiple roles (they are all listed as ‘& Others’ in the program.) It is no small task to manage 14 actors all playing multiple parts. Fortunately the performers nail their roles with everyone making distinct choices for all of their characters and having chemistry together as a cast. When the show is done I had been on a journey with the characters, and we had all learned to thrive in tough times. It’s heart-warming and like I said a hug of a Broadway musical. Jessica Rush leads the cast as pilot Beverley & Others. Galyana Castillo is wonderful as Hannah & Others and Mary Fanning Driggs has homespun charm as Beulah & Others.

My favorite songs of the night are “I Am Here” sung by Hannah as she worries about her firefighter son, “Prayer” sung by the Company and “Me and the Sky” sung by Beverley. But honestly there’s not a bad song in the group and it uses its music judiciously with only 14 songs total in the show. It’s rare these days on Broadway that shows don’t feel at least a little bit bloated Not the case here.

They also have a full band behind the performers at PTC with conductor and piano by Phil Reno and fiddle by Aaron Ashton.

Honestly Come From Away is a show I have a hard time imagining anyone disliking. I’m sure those people exist, but I’d still struggle to understand their reasons. It’s got everything one could want in a night of theatre, and in our deeply cynical world sometimes it’s nice to be reminded of the kindness of strangers. It is playing at PTC through May 9th and tickets can be purchased here. I think you will agree it is well worth your time.

Come From Away has music, lyrics and book by Irene Sankoff and David Hein. It first premiered on Broadway in 2017 and it lasted 1669 performances and 25 previews.

If you enjoy my writing and would like me to review your production I’d love to. I also have a patreon which is a great way to support my shorter logs for shows I don’t get to review. I have some really fun perks like bonus episodes, patron polls and monthly Q&As with actors, directors and writers. Please take a look here