I always like to allow for a diversity of opinion on any musical or play. I know I certainly have my share of unpopular opinions about a variety of shows as does any theatre fan or critic. That said, I must admit I would have a hard time understanding someone who doesn’t like or appreciate the musical Come From Away. It’s such a well crafted piece chronicling the best of humanity during one of our hardest times. I know I certainly love it and was delighted to get the chance to see it at the opening night of the new production at The Stage Door Theatre while on my St George trip.

This is also the first time I have been able to see Come From Away on the regional level. While I do not want this review to be a cataloging of what MTI approved let me share a few quick thoughts on the adaptation as a whole. There are 2 big changes from the Broadway version. First, they have approved a larger cast option. In this case, it is 18 actors but can be as many as 20 named roles where on Broadway it has 12 actors in the cast. In general, I’m a big fan of this change as the more people participating in community theatre the better. Also, it adds to the feeling of the chaos the folks in Gander might have felt with a more crowded stage.

The other big adaptation is they have allowed all the parts to be played by non-white actors. This mostly impacts Bob, Kevin J and Hannah and the ‘others’ roles they play. At Stage Door they did have a person of color as Bob (Maika Naivalu) but there is an adaptation for every role companies can do on the MTI website that has been approved by the Come From Away writers. While I understand this “allow(s) for greater casting flexibility” it does also take away a layer of meaning from the conflict the characters are experiencing; thereby, robbing it of some of its power. It’s also a show based on real Gander residents and passengers so swapping out race feels a little weird but that is what they have approved so let’s move on to talking about the actual production.

My favorite part of what director Kelly Thomas has accomplished at Stage Door is the wonderful cast of actors and the chemistry they all have together on stage. This is vital to the story working because each actor plays so many parts that a natural repertoire needs to exist between the talent. With such a warm environment any flubs or imperfections by the cast actually adds to the sense of community in the story instead of detracting. I also like that they had these roles differentiated with hats and jackets that makes it easy to keep track of which character is talking when.

If you are new to Come From Away it tells the story of when on September 11th, 2001 a group of 38 commercial flights were redirected to emergency land in Gander, Newfoundland in Canada. The residents were then asked to feed, house and help 7000 passengers get through this experience until the airplanes could be approved for flight again. As is so often the case, it is in the times of crisis that the best of humanity comes out in the people of Gander and the passengers which makes this such a wonderful musical to watch.

All the actors are lovely in their roles at Stage Door but my favorites are Dean Jones as the mayor Claude (he probably had the best accent of the group), Makayla Klumpp as Beulah, and Diane and Nick/Doug played by couple in real life Rachael and Richard Rose. I always love their relationship in the story because it shows how something beautiful can come out of a dark time and having a real life couple only adds to their chemistry together. Mattea Denney is a younger-looking Bonnie than I have typically seen, but I really enjoy the bubbly energy she brings to the character. She’s not just the pestering animal lady here but sweet and concerned mother worried about all the life on the planes.

The set by Joshua Scott is also great with a backdrop that captures the warm feeling of what the Gander airport might have looked like in 2001 without feeling too commercial or corporate. I also really like how the large cast was used to make normally solo songs more of a group experience. This is particularly true with “Me and the Sky” where Mikalene Ipson’s Beverley is joined by the other women in the cast all wearing the American Airlines scarves (costumes designed by Tonya Christensen and Tawny Betts.)

There are times when the live music is missed particularly with the rapidity of the quippy banter and songs, but I realize that is not a possibility for a small community production. They just need to keep working on being in sync with the backtrack recording and not talking or singing over each other. I would also be careful, particularly with Ali, that accents and other characteristics don’t verge into caricature, which for the most part they don’t but it’s something to keep working on.

While Come From Away does have some mature language I’d still recommend it at Stage Door as a family experience. It’s a story with big heart and great songs all put on with skill and acumen by the talented cast and crew. Even though it is set in Canada I actually think it would be a great show to celebrate the US 250th birthday. After all, it even has a speech from the US President at the time and a moment of silence for the 9/11 victims. Tickets are affordable and available here. It is playing through July 11th.

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