REVIEW: ‘Come From Away’ at Meadow Brook Theatre has Heart, Humour, and Humanity

Come From Away, a Tony-nominated musical, takes flight through April 12, 2026, at Meadow Brook Theatre (MBT) on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan.

With Book, Music, and Lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, Come From Away transports the audience on a unique journey through the eyes of 7,000 passengers and crew forced to land in Gander, Newfoundland, Canada on September 11, 2001. It also includes the perspectives of the Gander residents who rose to the challenge of caring for “The Plane People.”

This inspiring show opens with the proud Newfoundlanders expressing who they are (“Welcome to the Rock”), setting the tone of what is to come – the resilience and hospitality the residents extend to their guests who would rather be anywhere than in the middle of nowhere.

Gander airport was once a bustling refueling stop for transatlantic flights, but those days were in the past until 9/11, when 38 planes were forced to land after the World Trade Center was bombed. Imagine your town nearly doubling in size in a single day. In the blink of an eye, you are scrambling to figure out how you are going to feed and house all those people (“Blankets and Bedding”) who are tired, confused, and irritable after spending long hours on a plane (“28 Hours/Wherever We Are”) with no explanation as to why.

Everything about this musical is intentional and lets the stories and the experiences of the residents and “The Plane People” take the spotlight. A sparse stage contains tables and chairs that serve multiple purposes, along with the actors who play multiple roles throughout the show. This allows people and props to move around strategically like chess pieces, but with fluidity. Fifteen songs succinctly convey the range of emotions felt on that fateful day and the days afterwards when the reality of what happened started to sink in.

Picture people from all over the world with conflicting personalities and religions forced to spend time with each other. This experience gives them a chance to reevaluate their lives and their belief systems, while finding unexpected camaraderie in extraordinary circumstances (“On the Edge”). Come From Away is uplifting, emotional, powerful, and funny (after all, it takes place in Canada). One or more of the colorful characters will resonate with you.

The Gander Perspective: Imagine you’re the Mayor (Chip DuFord, Strangers on a Train). A man who loves his town and its traditions, who finds himself dealing with a colossal crisis he’s not prepared for. Or you’re the quirky constable (Ron Williams, Ken Ludwig’s Moriarty: A New Sherlock Holmes Adventure) trying to keep everyone safe and sane.

The first day at any new job is already knee-knocking, but for Janice (Em Hadick, Vanities), the new reporter in town covering an international event, it’s terrifying! While most of the focus is on the people, Bonnie (Stephanie Nichols, Noises Off), head of the local SPCA, makes it her mission to care for the 19 animals from the planes, including endangered bonobo chimpanzees.

The Plane People Perspective: There’s Hannah (Virginia Ann Woodruff), a mother desperately trying to reach her New York firefighter son (“I Am Here”). She forges a bond with Gander resident Beulah (Stacy White, Footloose), and this pairing beautifully shows the universal language that is shared by mothers.

Bob (Tyrick Wiltez Jones, also the show’s amazing Choreographer) is a jaded New Yorker who is dumbfounded by the generosity these strangers show him, which ultimately leads him to give back. The relationship of the couple, Kevin J (Christopher C. Minor, MBT debut) and Kevin T. (Brandon Ruiter), goes through a profound change (“Prayer”). English oilman Nick (Francis Kelly, Shear Madness) strikes up an unlikely romance with fellow traveler Diane (Stephanie Wahl), who is a divorcée from Texas. This experience prompts them to reevaluate how they’ve been living (“Stop the World”).

Finally, Jennifer Byrne does a phenomenal job portraying the pioneering aviatress, Beverly Bass. In 1986, Bass was the first female captain of a commercial plane at American Airlines. She is a wife, mother, and pilot who must come to terms with the thing she loves most in the world, flying, being used as a weapon (“Me and the Sky”).

On the day the world saw the worst, Canadians showed up and gave their best, ultimately becoming unlikely heroes that history will never forget.

MBT touts itself as “Michigan’s Answer to Broadway,” and this production of Come From Away proves why. The packed opening night audience was engrossed the whole way through. The talent of the cast, crew, band, and creatives is of the highest caliber and is the reason they received an enthusiastic and well-deserved standing ovation during “Screech Out,” which reminded me of a Newfoundland Kitchen Party. Look it up. You won’t be sorry.

Whether you vividly remember that day or are someone who wants to see it from a different perspective, Come From Away is a show I highly recommend experiencing. It is good to be reminded that compassion has no color, ethnicity, or religion.

Stop the world. Seize the moment. As the 25th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, we’d be wise to take time to honor what we’ve lost while celebrating what we’ve found. As Director Travis W. Walter says in his notes, “Let’s not wait for the next tragedy to treat each other with the kindness that we all deserve.” Come From Away is the reminder we need right now that, given the opportunity, humanity will always rise to the occasion.

This performance runs for one hour and 40 minutes without an intermission.

MBT has given this production a rating for High School age and older.

Come From Away is directed by Travis W. Walter, with choreography by Tyrick Wiltez Jones, music direction by Matthew Croft, and dialect coaching by Karen Sheridan. Scenic design is by Kiah Kayser, costume design by Marley Boone, lighting design by Neil Koivu, and sound design by Brendan Eaton. Brittanie Nichole Sicker is the stage manager, and Katy Kujala is the assistant stage manager.

In addition to music direction, Matthew Croft will conduct the band and play keyboards. The remainder of the musicians includes Brad Linden (guitar), Greg Platter (bass), James Abud (mandolin), Alex Sikorski (bodhran), Ed Birch (percussion), Ian McEwen (whistle), and Allison Rhoades (fiddle).

Tickets range from $40 to $48 and are available by calling the Meadow Brook Theatre box office at 248-377-3300 or going online at www.Ticketmaster.com. Student discounts are available at the box office. Groups of eight or more should call 248-370-3316 for group pricing.

Meadow Brook Theatre is a professional theatre located on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. For additional information, please visit www.MBTheatre.com or call 248-377-3300.