I recently streamed the live capture of the Broadway performance of Come from Away on Apple TV+.
The award-winning hit musical Come From Away tells the incredible true story of the people of Gander, Newfoundland, who opened their homes and hearts to thousands of airline passengers who were forced to land there when the U.S. airspace was shut down on September 11, 2001.
It has been a while since I’ve written a review for Reel Inspiration. (My blog supporting inspiring and meaningful films.) But I can’t get Come From Away out of my mind. This is the second night that I woke up trying to find words to articulate why I was so moved by this musical. I was even more moved by the second viewing. It seems like the audience for the live performance didn’t want to leave the world of the play, either. At the end the musicians perform front and center and the audience celebrates the experience by enthusiastically clapping along. How could this play with a minimal set be so moving? Was it the spirited songs by writers Irene Sankoff & David Hein or the committed, enthusiastic performances from a diverse cast of regular people (some of whom could be your aunt or neighbor)?
All that is great, but it’s the kindness that really gets me. Sorta like when the town’s people come out to save George Baily in It’s a Wonderful Life. After all the cruelty George endured from the greedy banker, it’s so rewarding to see the community rally to save him. There is such joy in it. Honestly, I cry every time I watch it.
I believe everyone brings their own experiences to the theater with them and that’s how we relate to the story. For me, it was the frustration and deep disappointment from the push back against our efforts to create a more sustainable future for Tucson. As Tucson (and the world) continued to heat up and droughts become more extreme, we discovered a hopeful solution in planting cooling native shade trees in rainwater basins. Who would have thought that trees, of all things, would be attacked? That people would remove trees faster than Tucson Clean and Beautiful could plant them? That some landlords would remove them to avoid the expense of maintaining them? One politician even ran on the platform “A million potholes fixed instead of a million trees planted.” – taking a jab at the mayor’s 1 million tree program. Over 70 trees were removed from one neighborhood nature path to keep homeless from taking shelter under them. I find that kind of cruelty depressing. And it seems to be all around us these days.
So watching this play was exactly what I needed. The hope, collaboration, and sheer humanity of this story is so inspiring. It was so uplifting to watch the community of Gander come together and work around the clock to provide for the needs of the exhausted, frightened travelers. Beyond taking on the huge task of providing for the travelers’ physical needs (a place to stay, food, and clothing), the community did what they could to support their emotional and spiritual needs as well. Televisions were provided so they could keep up to date on the tragedy unfolding and cellphones so people could ease the worry of their families back home. One woman took care of the animals locked in the cargo holds. A safe, quiet place was provided for people of different faiths to pray. The town even organized a huge barbeque so the people could connect. They embraced their shared humanity.
I don’t know what experiences you bring to the theater, but if you need an inspiring story that celebrates community, hope, and our shared humanity, this might be just the antidote you need.
More information on the musical production here:
If you need an outlet for your rage (believe me, I've been there), you might prefer:
Mad Max: Fury Road - Patriarchal Dystopia
More information on our environmental efforts here:
For the Love of Tucson: Creating a Desert Oasis to Combat Climate Change
