REVIEW: Come From Away
Come From Away opened at the Guthrie Theater on June 11, 2026. This was my second time seeing the musical, having previously attended the national touring production. Set in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, Come From Away tells the remarkable true story of the residents of Gander, Newfoundland, who opened their homes and hearts to thousands of stranded travelers. I was eager to see how a local cast would bring this moving story to life. The auditorium felt warm on opening night, but within the first few minutes I was covered in goosebumps as the events of September 11 unfolded on stage.
During the 1950s and 1960s, Gander was home to one of the busiest airports in the world, serving as a refueling stop before transatlantic flights. As aircraft technology improved, the airport’s importance declined. By 2001, only a handful of planes landed there each day. Then, on September 11, 2001, 38 planes carrying nearly 7,000 passengers from 93 countries were diverted to Gander within a matter of hours.
The staging was remarkably simple yet incredibly effective. With only two tables, a handful of chairs, and an exceptionally talented cast, the production transported audiences from airplanes to buses, shelters, community centers, and even a local watering hole. The performers took on multiple roles throughout the evening, using quick costume changes cleverly concealed in jacket pockets or draped over chairs. These seamless transitions allowed the audience to move effortlessly between the perspectives of stranded passengers and members of the Gander community.
About 20 minutes before the end of the show, a technical difficulty interrupted the performance. The cast, aware of the issue, continued performing and projecting to the audience until the director came over the loudspeaker and paused the production mid-scene, asking everyone to leave the stage. A few minutes later, the audience could hear the band, tucked away at the back of the stage, testing a few notes. The audio returned, and the director cued the cast to restart from the beginning of the dance sequence. This time, the audience was able to fully enjoy the number, and the performers were greeted with enthusiastic cheers and applause. It was a memorable reminder that the show must go on.
Even though I knew exactly what was coming, I appreciated the slightly extended fade to black at the end of the production. It gave audience members a moment to wipe away tears and compose themselves before the lights came up for the final bows.
Come From Away is a moving celebration of kindness, generosity, and human connection. It tells the story of a community that welcomed thousands of strangers without expecting anything in return. You will laugh, cry, smile, and perhaps cry again before leaving the theater with a renewed sense of hope in humanity. Come From Away remains one of the most uplifting and emotionally resonant musicals on stage today.
If the story resonates with you, take some time afterward to learn about the real people of Gander and the “Plane People.” Knowing more about their experiences made this production even more meaningful for me, and it brought the events portrayed on stage vividly to life.
Come From Away is at The Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis through August 9, 2026. Tickets start at $40.
Review by Rachel Gorman; photo by Dan Norman
