“Come From Away” at Theatreworks Silicon Valley is a feel-good musical in the best possible sense of the phrase. That is, it’s based on a real event; it contains —within its almost-two-hour with no intermission running time — tragedy, comedy and everything in between; and it’s just this side of sentimental.
The true story: Following the horror of 9/11, 38 flights from “away” were diverted to Gander, Newfoundland, a town of only about 11,000 residents. Seven thousand confused and anxious passengers descended.
This iteration of the show by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, which has been staged on Broadway and internationally, is directed by beloved TheatreWorks founder and former artistic director Robert Kelley. It’s among his best productions.
With a scenic design by Wilson Chin and a stage with long wooden risers and wooden chairs carried in and out by the performers, “Come From Away” focuses both on individuals —12 actors effortlessly play multiple roles apiece — and on the group as a whole (passengers, flight crew, townspeople of Gander). The story unfolds at just the right pace, as characters slowly bond. Over the course of several days in this liminal space, it feels almost inevitable, and certainly theatrical, that such bonds should form.
The residents and their unexpected and exhausted guests interact and learn in a short space of time to accommodate and trust one another. Among the guests are a Black man initially convinced someone will steal his wallet; a rabbi; a self-conscious gay couple who end up feeling completely accepted; a devout Muslim with a prayer rug who’s looking for a safe space to pray.
It seems, in today’s divided world, it is downright miraculous that such a diverse group could bond over the course of only a few days.
Dogs, cats, and, surprisingly, a few bonobos, are also aboard, all represented by plaintive animal voices by sound designer Cliff Caruthers.
Especially touching is the relationship that develops between one passenger, a mother (played by Dawn L. Troupe) struggling to find out by phone the fate of her son, a New York City fireman (her song “I Am Here” is plaintive, memorable); and also a romance between a British traveler (Michael Gene Sullivan) and a Texan (Alison Ewing).
Wondering why the airlines chose minuscule Gander airport as a landing spot, the harried mayor (Colin Thompsom) says, “Because we have a lot less to lose.”
Director Kelley has a sure hand with the music that so smoothly weaves its way around memories of that most horrific of American tragedies in our lifetime. Most of it is upbeat, much is infused with an uplifting Irish beat; a heart-poundingly invigorating sea shanty and group dance is especially welcome as choreographed by Alex Perez, as is the cast’s choral work and the live music that includes two onstage musicians. In particular, the song “Prayer” beautifully combines languages (English, Hebrew and more) in its refrain: “Make me a channel of your peace/Where there’s despair in life/let me bring hope.”
At a makeshift pub, residents and visitors alike get rip-roaring drunk, and everyone is obliged to kiss the lips of a large dead fish. What’s not to love about a story like this, that can make you laugh a lot and cry a little and renew your faith in the goodness that exists in the world?
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s “Come From Away” continues through May 10 at Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View. Tickets are $34-$115 at theatreworks.org.