By Leah Katz ’21
This February vacation, I had the privilege of seeing the musical Come From Away on Broadway. The show can be summed up by the one tragedy that shaped twenty-first century America: 9/11. Now, bear with me, even the show’s creators recognize that a show about 9/11 does not sound like Broadway’s new Tony winner. On a poster outside the historic Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, however, the creators explain “this is not a show about 9/11;” but rather, “it’s a show about 9/12.”
The unique and engaging plot follows the thirty-eight planes that were diverted to Gander, Newfoundland when the U.S. airspace was shut down on 9/11. The versatile cast of only twelve alternates between the locals of Gander and the various passengers from the planes. Most notable among these characters is a mother of an NYC firefighter and American Airlines’ first female pilot.
The thirty-eight diverted planes arrived in Gander the morning of 9/11, but passengers were not allowed off until late that night. The inhabitants of Gander were quick to set up shelters, gather supplies, and prepare food for the thousands of terrified foreigners.
From the moment everyone ran on stage, the incredible diversity of the cast was undeniably apparent. Later, of course, it was revealed that this diversity was necessary to the story; to depict the underlying fear due to racism and prejudice, and unfortunately was not simply an inclusive creative decision.
Regardless of its reasoning, seeing a diverse cast of all races and identities within the first five seconds of the show was very empowering and inspiring.
Overall, this beautiful show brought my attention to the differences between the facts of an event and their long-lasting impacts. In the end, it’s those life-changing impacts that matter more. The kindness of Gander’s inhabitants was celebrated in a ten-year reunion, and the actions of the Newfoundlanders still affect those diverted passengers today in ways that we simply can’t imagine.
When a terrifying attack like 9/11 happens, the focus of news and history textbooks is on what physically happened; planes crashed into the Twin Towers. Yet, in music and theatre and culture, what matters is the recovery, the kindness, and the hidden beauty that emerges from the rubble- even if you have to look in a different corner of the world.
When the world wants to divide, there are still some who find a way to bring us together. Come From Away doesn’t try to diminish the grave effects of 9/11, but rather celebrates the unlikely kindness and selflessness that so many were fortunate enough to encounter.
