If you only make it to see one show this theatre season in Chicago, let it be Come From Away
The curtain rose again this year at theatres around Chicago and the pinnacle of the season is Come From Away.
Running until March 6 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre this is musical theatre at its very best - telling the remarkable stories of the days following the attacks on September 11. While the world was glued to the news surrounding four specific flights, Come From Away tells another story, one about 7,000 diverted passengers from around the world and how they were welcomed by the small town of Gander, Newfoundland in a time that was scary and full of unknowns.
While the show has emotionally heavy moments that make one think back to their own connection to 9.11.01 Come From Away is not a sad show. The words and music will quickly lift one back up and you find yourself laughing and filled with joy by the human kindness that poured out of Newfoundland.
If you walk out of the theatre sad, it's only because the show is over.
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The set is simple to the audience, but with carefully choreographed movements you are deftly moved from one place to another, from a Tim Hortons to the airport, from a school that housed stranded passengers to a church, and the revelry-filled Legion Hall. Twelve cast members play multiple roles and transition seamlessly with simple wardrobe adjustments and complex dialects to tell the stories from the viewpoint of Newfoundlanders and those who had "come from away".
Come From Away has the unique task of telling the history and stories of real people and does so flawlessly. As Harter Clingman, who portrays Oz Fudge (and others), said:
"We often mention that Come From Away is the non-musical-goers window into musical theater. The true-to-life aspects of this story usually draw in audiences that would otherwise avoid "glitzy" dance numbers and hammed-up humor...I do think that there is something to be said about focusing on the integrity of living, breathing humans' true stories to the stage that captures most people's attention." (see the full interview with Harter Clingman here)
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To see how one tiny town in Newfoundland opened its doors and hearts to the entire world you can get tickets online at www.broadwayinchicago.com and they are also offering a digital lottery for $25 tickets (which I entered for the chance to see it again!)
I would recommend this show to audience members ages 10 and up. After seeing the show I would not hesitate to share this story with our own 10-year-old and I think he would enjoy learning about this history surrounding September 11th.
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