Weathervane Playhouse’s ‘Come From Away’ is superior musical theater

September 11, 2001 is a typical morning for most. In Gander, Newfoundland (a large island off the east coast of Canada) various residents of the town have gathered at the local Tim Horton Donuts Shop to catch up on the local gossip such as the ongoing school bus strike (“Welcome to the Rock”). As Mayor Claude (Rob Albrecht) orders his Pepsi, Oz the police constable (Micah Harvey), Beulah the teacher (Danielle Grunenwald Gruhler), Bonnie the SPCA worker (Rachel Osherow) and others learn of the terrorist attacks taking place in New York City, Washington D.C. and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

The town sits next to an airfield originally known as “Newfoundland Airport” that was constructed in 1938. The airport was renamed RCAF Station Gander in 1941 and played a huge role during World War II sending submarine hunting planes to the North Atlantic as well as transporting newly built aircraft across to England and Europe. Following the war the name was changed to “Gander Airport” and was a major refueling stop for international flights.

Word reaches the town that the entire United States airspace has been closed and 38 international aircraft have been diverted to Gander International Airport thus doubling the population of the town (“38 Planes”). Without a second thought, the townspeople begin preparing for the 7,000 “guests” as well as the 19 animals in cargo. (“Blankets and Bedding”). On board the parked jets, confusion reigns as little information has been given to the passengers (“28 Hours/Wherever We Are”).

Finally after a day on the planes and in the dead of night the passengers are taken off the planes to nearby emergency shelters (“Darkness and Trees”) via school busses which have temporarily lifted the strike due to the emergency (“On the Bus”). At the shelters the passengers watch in horror the footage of the attacks as they try to call home from the banks of phones that have been made available (“Lead Us Out of the Night”). The townspeople go out of their way to supply food, shelter, comfort and a change of clothes (“Phoning Home”) (“Costume Party”).

At first, the passengers are taken back by the uncommon hospitality but soon begin to accept the help. People from surrounding towns begin to open up their homes to the “plane people” without regards to their race, nationality or sexual orientation. They are simply people in need of help. Beulah from Gander bonds with Hannah (Shaneen A. Harris) from New York as both their sons are fire fighters although Hannah’s son has been declared missing (“I Am Here”). Bonnie, who runs the local animal rescue shelter risks arrest in order to care for the abandoned animals in the holds of the planes.

Once settled in, townies and plane people travel to the various houses of worship in order to pray together (“Prayer”). Nerves are beginning to fray as word comes that they may be stuck there for days (“On The Edge”).

To break the tension, the townspeople invite the passengers to a local bar to be initiated as “Honorary Newfoundlanders” (“In the Bar/Heave Away”) (“Screech In”) which involves drinking a powerful local whiskey, wearing a ‘Sou’wester” rain hat and kissing a fresh fish. The various towns also strive to entertain their guests with tours, fishing trips, bowling matches and concerts by local bands. Visitors are also introduced to regional cuisine such as stewed moose.

The US airspace eventually begins to be opened and the first female pilot, Beverly Bass talks of her challenges and how her view of the world has changed so suddenly (“Me and the Sky”). Meanwhile an awkward Brit meets up with a divorced Texan and sparks begin to fly (“The Dover Fault/Stop the World”) while another couple’s relationship begins to falter.

As the planes finally became air born once again the passengers promise to stay in touch with phone calls, web sites and letters. On the flight back home, the passengers began donating to a college scholarship fund with the initial donation of $15,000 that eventually grows to more than $1 million providing scholarships to over 200 local students. In Appleton, a Peace Park is constructed from $5,000 in donations that features a section of the World Trade Center steel and a monument dedicated to the First Responders.

As time passes, crew and passengers (the “come from aways”) reunite in Gander to celebrate their friendships. As Mayor Claude reminds us “tonight we honor what was lost, but also commemorate what we found”.

“Come From Away” is probably one of the most difficult productions to undertake. With 23 songs, enthusiastic choreography, a cast of 20 members not to mention mastering the Newfoundland speech and colloquialisms it is a challenge to say the least. I have seen this show twice at Playhouse Square in Cleveland and I have to admit that the Weathervane Playhouse show is equal if not better in all respect. Standouts include Rob Albrecht as Claude, Rachel Osherow as Bonnie, Shaneen A. Harris as Hannah, Danielle Grunenwald Gruhler as Beulah, Micah Harvey as Oz and Brian O. Jackson and Justin W. Williams as “the Kevins”. In fact the entire cast is exceptional. The 100 minute (without intermission) show flies by due to the smart directing by Melanie YC Pepe.

Kevin Lambes’ choreography is well placed and exciting. Richard Morris, Jr.’s scenic design is multi-tiered and well laid out. The five piece band under the direction of Steven A. Miller handles the music assignments fantastically. Jasen J. Smith’s costume are period and setting appropriate. The lighting by Jack-Anthony Ina is very well conceived and Christopher Pepe’s sound design is crisp.

This show has a tremendous amount of heart and nothing is left on the stage. It is a show that will tug on all of your emotions. You will laugh, cry, ponder, reflect and pray along with the cast as they sweep you along in a fast paced “screech”.

The Weathervane Playhouse production of “Come From Away will be on stage at 1301 Weathervane Lane in Akron through October 12, 2025. For more information and tickets go to http://www.weathervaneplayhoouse.com or call (303) 836-2626.