Laura and Samara spend their days as non-profit unicorns and fill every spare minute exploring the world of musical theatre as BFFs (that’s Broadway Friends Forever). Follow @bffs613 on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
If we’ve learned anything from the challenges of these last three years, it’s the power we have when we come together as a community. It’s about the little things we do for one another in times of crisis and how we support those around us. The power of community is what Come From Away brings to the stage. On stage at the National Arts Centre until January 8, we can’t think of a better way to wrap up 2022 or kick off a brand new year in January!
Come From Away is based on the true story of the days following the tragedy of 9/11, when a series of planes were grounded in a small town in Newfoundland — leaving 7,000 passengers stranded. Written by Tony nominees Irene Sankoff and David Hein, this is a story of generosity, heart, kindness, and, above all, community — both existing and created. Taken from hours and hours of interviews with the actual people there on that fateful day, some of the characters are composites of stories, and others are real-life people, like Captain Beverly Bass, who was one of the pilots and had a historic career herself. Some of their stories will make you laugh, others cry, but overall this show is incredibly uplifting and about the best of what people can be.
Photo by Matthew Murphy
The cast and staging are simple in a way that elevates the power and emotion behind the show’s story. The simple is deceptive, though—the actors play multiple roles each, sometimes with the subtlest of costume edits (not even complete changes), and chairs and tables move almost unnoticeably to all of a sudden go from a coffee shop to the rows of an airplane to a pub.
The songs range from east-coast bangers that will make you want to stand up and stomp your feet to those that give you chills and those that get you teary-eyed. There is lovely humour woven throughout the show as well. It feels distinctly Canadian and will fill you with a sense of national pride while still being able to connect with any audience, in any theatre, around the globe.
This show is a bright light in a world of crisis, reminding us of the power of kindness and how even the smallest deed can change the lives of those around you.
Come From Away takes place from December 27 to January 8 at the National Arts Centre. Evening performances are at 8pm, except Sunday at 7:30pm. Matinees are on Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at 1pm. The show runs for one hour and forty minutes, with no intermission.
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