The cast of TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s ‘Come From Away.’
Much changed on Sept. 11, 2001, when terrorists hijacked four passenger planes and crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Washington and a field in Pennsylvania, killing thousands of people.
In the immediate aftermath, air traffic was halted in the United States and Canada, forcing 38 transatlantic planes with some 7,000 people aboard to land at the airport in the small island town of Gander, Newfoundland, which had fewer than 10,000 residents.
“Come From Away,” a musical presented by TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, focuses on people who must adapt to the situation.
The versatile six women and six men in the cast portray both the passengers and townspeople.
When the play opens, the townspeople are preparing for an ordinary day as news of the attacks begins to surface. They soon learn that they’ll have to accommodate all the people from the diverted planes.
Therefore they muster up all available resources and welcome their unexpected visitors. Despite some initial wariness and cultural differences, the hosts and visitors warm to one another.
By the time the planes are allowed to leave after several days, friendships and a romance have blossomed, but another relationship has ended under the strain.
As directed by Robert Kelley, TheatreWorks’ retired founder and artistic director, the talented ensemble cast smoothly switches characters as the story unfolds. The result is a heartwarming, uplifting salute to humanity rising above the evil and tragedy of 9/11.
The music, lyrics and book by Irene Sankoff and David Hein distill the events into about an hour and 40 minutes without intermission. Therefore, some of the information is delivered so quickly that it’s hard to absorb everything.
However, the essential spirit comes through thanks to the cast, Kelley, musical director William Liberatore, choreographer/assistant director Alex Perez, set designer Wilson Chin, costume designer B. Modern, lighting designer Pamila Z. Gray and sound designer Cliff Caruthers.
This outstanding production of “Come From Away” continues through May 10 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View.
For tickets and information call (877) 662-8978 or visit theatreworks.org.
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Dirk van Ulden said:
Dirk van Ulden said:
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