In Newfoundland, if you’re not from the island, you’ve “come from away.” On Sept. 11, 2001, after the terrorist attacks in New York, the United States shut down its airspace. As a result, 38 planes – carrying 7,000 passengers – were diverted to Gander, Nfld., population 9,000 or so. The local community quickly mobilized to provide their unique maritime hospitality to the unexpected guests from around the globe, welcoming them to their home, “the Rock,” for five days.
This is the premise for the aptly named musical written by Jewish-Canadian husband-and-wife songwriting team David Hein and Irene Sankoff, that took Broadway by storm in 2017. Now, this made-in-Canada opus comes to the Arts Club’s Stanley Stage, in partnership with Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre.
The essence of the show is quite simple, with 12 actors playing 20 characters on a minimalist set, courtesy of designer Lorenzo Savioni. It consists of 12 mismatched chairs – a metaphor for the eclectic mix of strangers that descended upon the island. The chairs are constantly being reconfigured, morphing from an airplane interior to a bus to a Tim Hortons to a school gymnasium to a pub. These transitions provide the background for the dozens of vignettes that make up the heartwarming story.
The actors move smoothly between their various roles with most costume changes done right on stage. While this is truly an ensemble production, every one of these performers has stand-out moments.
It all starts with veteran actor Andrew Wheeler as avuncular Mayor Claude, who introduces the audience to Gander, its inhabitants and their idiosyncrasies. Jacelyn Gauthier is outstanding as American Airlines pilot Beverley (America’s first civilian female captain) – and, boy, can she sing. Vance Avery and Kamyar Pazandeh play the two Kevins, a gay couple navigating their rocky relationship. Pazandeh also plays Ali, a Paris-trained Muslim chef, who endures the suspicions of his fellow passengers.
Then there is Englishman Nick (Garett Ross) and Texan divorcee Diane (Janet Gigliotti), who find love amid the chaos; take-charge Beulah (Stephanie Wolfe), the quintessential organizer, who bonds with Hannah (Lisa Michelle), a worried mother awaiting the news of her New York City firefighting son; SPCA worker Bonnie (Catriona Murphy), who goes out of her way to care for all the stranded pets; local cub reporter Janice (Daphne Charrois), who gets to break the news to the world; and Bob (Tenaj Williams), who worries about the cost of it all.
Finally, Charlie Gallant plays Oz, the quirky constable, but his real strength comes in his portrayal of the Orthodox rabbi who must cope with both the challenge of keeping kashrut in Gander and taking care of the spiritual needs of a Holocaust survivor’s relative, who is looking to make meaning out of the events of the day. Gallant does an admirable job as the rabbi and delivers a poignant rendition of Oseh Shalom during the multi-faith prayer scene. Community member Josh Epstein is the Hebrew/Jewish consultant for the production.
As their island sojourn comes to a close, the passengers are treated to an East Coast kitchen party replete with Celtic-infused, foot-stomping songs and the chance to become an honorary islander, which is a three-step process that culminates in the kissing of a cod fish (you will have to see the show to find out about the first two steps).
Savioni’s back wall of seven rotating panels/doors frames the actors’ entrances and exits and features Sophie Tang’s impressive lighting design, which often resembles airport runway lights. Ken Cormier’s seven-piece band and Gianna Vacirca’s energetic choreography complete the effect. Kudos to director Ashlie Corcoran for bringing this production to Vancouver.
These salt-of-the-earth islanders give a master class in what it means to be Canadian. It makes you feel proud to be one.
For tickets to the show, which runs to Aug. 16, go to artsclub.com or call 604-687-1644.
Tova Kornfeld is a Vancouver freelance writer and lawyer.
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Come From Away’s rabbi
As are many of the vignettes in the musical Come From Away, the rabbi’s story is based on that of British Rabbi Leivi Sudak. Prior to the High Holidays, he was on his way to New York to pray at the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s grave, when his plane was part of the redirected fleet. Under his direction, the islanders scavenged the grounded planes to find kosher meals to feed the 30 or so Jewish passengers among the stranded. A kosher kitchen was set up in one of the schools housing the group and efforts were made for Shabbat to be observed and for the passengers to reach their destinations before Rosh Hashanah.
– TK