It’s the furthest place from Disneyland.

In a small town where everyone knows everyone, a melting pot of 7,000 strangers from around the world make an impact on these unsuspecting residents on September 11, 2001, one of the most harrowing days in U.S. history.  Abandoning all their self interests and in the middle of a Gander strike, Gander, Newfoundland put everything aside to find out what they can do to help.

Fueled by Kevin P. Hill’s inspired direction and intricate choreography with Dr. Michael McBride’s affecting music direction, Bill Hanney’s North Shore Music Theatre continues the extraordinary folk-rock musical, Come from Away live and in person at North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly Massachusetts through Sunday, September 27. Based on a true story, this semi-interactive theater-in-the-round musical runs approximately 90 minutes with no intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets.

Come from Away first took the stage as the result of a student workshop in Ontario, Canada in 2013 before finding its way to Broadway in 2017 to win a Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical.

This inspiring musical finished its run in Gander, Newfoundland on September 13 days after observing the 25^th anniversary of 9/11 before North Shore Music Theatre’s Come from Away made its timely stage debut on Wednesday, September 16 continuing through Sunday, September 27.

I wasn’t aware of what happened in Newfoundland 25 years ago on September 11 until seeing this production and haven’t witnessed this degree of kindness in a musical since The Huntington’s The Band’s Visit which is also based on a true story. What a revelation.

A group of distinct and strategically-placed chairs form the basis of Jack Mehler’s creative scenic design as the colorful and atmospheric lighting transforms the tiered stage from a crowded plane to a coffee shop to an impromptu celebration. Ryan Marsh’s intense sound design excels, especially during sudden and pivotal moments. From business suits to cultural and traditional attire to flannels to the vibrant Sou’wester, costumer Rebecca Glick distinctively dresses each individual, but brings an entirely new significance to their attire when characters find themselves in someone else’s shoes.

Compelling from its first scene, Come from Away is rich in tone delivering a balanced mix of warmth and urgency.  It contains a variety of captivating Celtic-tinged drum, acoustic and fiddle-laden rhythms steeped in enchanting, contemplative, intricate and multilayered harmony. From hopeful to suspenseful to uplifting and everywhere in between, Come from Away boasts a strong collaborative cast who work wonderfully off each other sharing testimonies while articulating a number of resonating emotions looking back on that fateful day.

Based on real life individuals including rookie reporter Janis Moser to trailblazing airline pilot Beverley Bass, each cast member skillfully navigates more than one character with an authenticity and quiet resonance as thousands of strangers from all over the world face an unknown future stranded in a mysterious land.

Matthew Bryan Feld and Susan Oliver share a sweet camaraderie, especially during the reflective number Stop the World. Laurel Harris delivers a memorable and exhilarating rendition of Me and the Sky and Carla Wood is lovely and sympathetic for an earnest rendition of I Am Here. Kevin T. Hannah’s consoling vibrato rises with the cast for a moving Prayer and Welcome to the Rock’s pulsing and infectious rhythms may stay with you long after the musical ends.

Come from Away is not without moments of shock, distress and uncertainty, but holds many more moments of warmth, encouragement and humor delivered in rich harmony that could very well spark a renewed faith in humanity.

Bill Hanney’s North Shore Music Theatre continues the extraordinary folk-rock musical, Come from Away live and in person at North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, Massachusetts through Sunday, September 27. Click here for more information and for tickets.