Come From Away

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COME FROM AWAY is based on the true story of the time when the isolated community of Gander, Newfoundland, played host to the world. What started as an average day in a small town turned into an international sleepover, when 38 planes, carrying thousands of people from around the globe, were diverted to Gander’s airstrip on September 11, 2001. Undaunted by culture clashes and language barriers, the people of Gander cheered the stranded travelers with music, an open bar and the recognition that we’re all part of a global family.

FROM THE DIRECTOR

“I’m deeply honored to be returning to Live Arts this season to direct COME FROM AWAY. My twelfth musical in this community that I call home. Live Arts isn’t just a theater to me; it’s where so much of my community began. It’s where I met my husband, where friendships became family, and where I first experienced the kind of belonging that only a shared love of storytelling and art can create.

This piece feels especially meaningful to take on right now. At its core, it’s about what happens when the world stops making sense—and how, in those moments, people choose kindness. It’s about strangers becoming neighbors, fear giving way to generosity, and the quiet, extraordinary ways we carry each other through the unthinkable. To help bring this story to life in a place that has been such a source of love and community in my own life feels incredibly full circle. I’m so grateful to get to make this work with artists I admire and trust, to build community through storytelling, and to invite audiences into a story of hope and resilience when our world needs it most. I can’t wait to get started!”

SEASON SPONSOR

The 2026-2027 Live Arts Season is generously sponsored by Ronald Bailey & Pamela Friedman.