10/13/2026
Imagine the fear of watching a full-sized passenger plane fly directly into the World Trade Center in downtown New York City. On September 11, 2001 at 8:48 a.m., Americans across the country watched in horror at this very scenario. And then another at 9:03 a.m. into the second tower. A third plane crashed into the Pentagon at 9:37 a.m. and rumors of a fourth plane attempting to crash into the D.C. area was broadcasting across news stations. The world was in a panic. Now imagine being in a plane, not knowing what was happening; not being able to contact family; not being able to land at your destination and instead being sent to Newfoundland, Canada. That is the plot of the award winning musical Come From Away.
Riverwalk rarely shies away from an emotional production; as they’ve comfortably acquired extraordinary cast a crew who excel in these dramatic retellings, and Come From Away is a perfect fit for this theater. Through dynamic contrasting lighting affects and precise and almost constant outfit changes, this team, led by the very talented Jane Falion and Michelle Booher-Purosky, create a believable retelling of the true story of almost 7000 airline passengers on 38 planes redirected to Gander, Newfoundland (pop. ~10,000) during the worst terror attack on American soil.
The musical, full of deeply moving ballads, starts in this tiny Canadian town where the locals begin planning for the arrival of their “plane people.” The city closed all nonessential businesses and schools which allowed everyone in the community to assist in hosting their largest sleep-over ever. This is where we meet the mayor of Gander, played by the distinguished Bob Purosky, the plucky and excitable Janice and new journalist getting her bearings (acted to perfection by Xia Skowronek), the “mother hen flock” of teachers Beverly and Beulah (Abigail Grill and Lindsey Par Hemming) who provide multiple laugh out loud imaginative moments, and helping hands, Oz the constable of Gander (Jeff Kennedy), Erin Biel, and Bill Durr as married couple turned animal caretakers.
On the plane—creatively established by reorganizing chairs, changing clothing (given that the actors all play both Ganderers and “Plane People”), and adding darkened, blue toned lights—the audience experiences the boredom, discomfort, and confusion that those stuck on the planes experienced.
Once disembarked from the plane, the story becomes less about the terror attacks and more about the efforts to ease pain, provide comfort, and offer kindness to those in need. And that’s really where the story shines. As quoted by the mayor of Gander, Claude Elliot in an article from The Christian Science Monitor in 2021.
“We saw people from 95 countries that needed help. And we poured out love and compassion for complete strangers because that’s what we would want if we were stranded in their place,”
The central theme of the musical emphasizes friendships (the beautiful connection between Hannah (Shelia Burks) whose son was a firefighter in New York City and Gander teacher Beulah (Lindsey Parr Hemming), accommodation (Gander residents Bonnie (Erin Biel) & Doug (Bill Nurr) taking care of the animals on the planes), respect (opening the church to all faiths), and above all kindness. There were budding relationships (Diane delightfully acted by Katrina Alexis & Nick acted by Bill Durr), racial tensions (Bob performed perfectly by Sidney Sauseda II) retrieving grills from the neighborhood), religious accommodations (Ali played by Ahmed Abourjrad who worked diligently to fit in), and at the core, hope. Hope that despite this tragic event, communities around the world could come together, stronger, and better.
