The Cast Photo by Dan Norman

In the program, director Gash notes that Come from Away is the most produced play in America in the 2025-2026 season (as tracked by American Theatre Magazine). Twenty-five years after 9/11, this story, which is really about 9/12 and the days after, tells a story of a community coming together in the face of tragedy. A cast of 12 actor-singers play multiple roles as they portray the community members of Gander and the visitors from all over the world that stop for their detour.

Presented without an intermission, the action and the music never stops. The music has a folksy, Celtic sound, influenced by the original inhabitants of Newfoundland, Irish, Scottish, French, and English settlers, blended with a contemporary Broadway musical theatre sound. The musical opened on Broadway in 2017 after several previous productions in the U.S. and Canada. The story is told in a group-storytelling format, with various characters serving as narrators. The cast ably handles the narration and makes strong, clear physical and vocal choices to distinguish their characters, benefitting greatly from small touches provided by Harmon's costume design. The narration is always delivered with musical underscoring and, remarkably, the eight-member band never overpowers the singers or speakers.

Haynes Jr.'s scenic design echoes the original Broadway design, featuring simple set pieces of a couple of tables and chairs in various configurations that are arranged by the actors without ever slowing the pace. There is even a turntable, which doesn't seem entirely necessary but adds some dimension to the song, "Stop the World."

This is a true ensemble piece, with every character experiencing moments of growth and changes in relationship with other characters in the wake of the tragedy. Some characters grow closer together, some grow apart, and all of the relationships are based on actual people or an amalgamation of several true stories. The cast is universally excellent, with beautiful singing voices (Ann Michels and Eric Morris are stand outs), comedic timing (particularly Jon Andrew Hegge and Angela Timberman), and layered relationships (Katie Bradley and Jennifer Grimm's connection as the mothers of firefighters is devastating). The demand for various dialects in this piece is extensive and they are not as consistent as one might hope.

After our nightmare winter of Operation Metro Surge, Come from Away, a musical about community with a capital C may be exactly what the Twin Cities needs. I found this production profoundly moving and highly recommend it.

Come from Away runs through August 9, 2026, at the Guthrie Theater, 818 South 2nd Street, Minneapolis MN. For tickets and information, please call 612-377-2224 or visit guthrietheater.org.