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Everyone who was alive at the time has their own story related to the moment when our world changed. Everyone recalls stumbling through the stages of grief, from shock to anger, to dismissal and disbelief, and finally, to acceptance. Planes had crashed into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001, and we all remember with detailed clarity exactly how that moment felt.
In the shadow of such a heart-wrenching tragedy, perhaps it’s natural that we sometimes forget what happened after. Based on real-life events in the tiny town of Gander, Newfoundland, the musical “Come From Away” seeks to remind audiences of the human-to-human interactions that transpired around the world immediately after the disaster.
“The show tells the story of the first 5 days after 9/11,” said Kevin Carolan, who plays Claude Elliott, the mayor of Gander. “The world had changed. Everyone was checking in on everyone. This show brings that into sharp focus, and what a great feeling that was.”
After the Pentagon/World Trade Center attack, US airspace shut down completely, forcing planes nationwide to reroute to the nearest airports. As a result, 38 of these international aircraft were diverted to the tiny Newfoundland town of Gander. At the time, Gander boasted a population of less than 13,000 people and a total of six traffic lights, so they were somewhat unprepared to receive the 7,000 passengers — and 19 animals — who would be stranded there.
However, the townspeople of Gander famously rose to the occasion to host their unexpected guests, showing the world the true meaning of hospitality.
“There’s one moment in the show when one character asks, ‘Are we gonna be ready?’” Carolan explained, “And the other one answers, ‘Well, we have to be, don’t we?’”
According to Carolan, that’s what “Come From Away” is about at its heart. “It’s a really terrific story about the generosity of spirit and helping people out, without asking for anything in return. These people in Gander are exemplary people.”
"Come From Away" is the true story of how 7,000 displaced Americans from 38 flights that were diverted to the tiny Newfoundland town of Gander after the Sept. 11 attacks and how the town received them.
Carolan, who has been involved in theater, TV, and movies in some form or another since he was in first grade, initially felt drawn to “Come From Away” after reading “When the World Came to Town,” one of the books on which the play is based.
“I remember being so taken by the material and the concept,” Carolan said. “I found it unbelievably fascinating, so I auditioned.” However, Carolan was busy with other projects, such as working with Martin Scorsese on shows like “Vinyl” and “Boardwalk Empire,” so he was unable to take part in the show on Broadway. About a year later, though he received the call for the national tour. “Happily, they thought I was the right fit for the part of Claude.”
Described as “jovial” in firsthand accounts, Mayor Claude Elliott is every bit as warm and kind as “Come From Away” makes him out to be, according to Carolan.
“I got to do the research and figure out as much as I could [about him] from archival footage and interviews,” Carolan said, “And the primary attribute of the mayor is grace under pressure.”
As expected, the beleaguered passengers of the 38 diverted planes suffered anxiety as cultures clashed and nerves ran high. However, as the travelers desperately tried to make contact with their loved ones during the aftermath of the attacks, Mayor Elliott and the town of Gander diligently coordinated relief efforts to comfort and accommodate their displaced guests.
At first, cultures clash in the small town between the stranded Americans and natives and officials scramble to find a solution. However, the townspeople of Gander famously rose to the occasion to host their unexpected guests.
Within a short amount of time, apprehension turned to trust. From the goodwill of the citizens in Gander sprang a gratitude that fostered lifelong friendships. As the world began to recover and put the pieces of our hearts back into place, the story of Gander emerged as one that would urge us all to remember the enduring kindness of strangers during times of hardship.
“The cast, we think of ourselves as missionaries,” Carolan said. “We’re spreading the good word about what it means to be generous.”
Though maybe it’s his character, Mayor Claude, who sums it up best: “Tonight,” he says, “We honor what was lost. But we also commemorate what we found.”
See the inspirational based-on-true-events story “Come From Away” at the Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Dr., Austin, Tuesday through Friday, Feb. 18-23, at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets start at $30 and are available at BroadwayinAustin.com, texasperformingarts.org, the Bass Concert Hall ticket office, all Texas Box Office Outlets, or by phone at 512-477-6060.
