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Community Theatre League will open its 50th season with the regional premiere of "Come From Away," running Friday through Sunday and Sept. 10-13, a press release said.
Based on the remarkable true story of what happened in the days following world changing events of Sept. 11, 2001, "Come From Away" follows 7,000 airline passengers whose flights were diverted to Gander, Newfoundland, after the United States closed its airspace.
Suddenly stranded thousands of miles from home, passengers from around the world found themselves in an unfamiliar place. What followed was an extraordinary act of generosity as the people of Gander opened their homes, schools, community spaces, and hearts to thousands of strangers.
Food was prepared. Beds were found. Phone calls home were made. Supplies were gathered. And for several days, a small community cared for people who had arrived with nowhere else to go.
"Choosing 'Come From Away' to open our 50th season was an easy decision," said Seth Sponhouse, executive artistic director of Community Theatre League. "It's an extraordinary story about what people are capable of when they come together, and that message feels especially meaningful as we celebrate 50 years of building community through storytelling. It also gives us the opportunity to bring a remarkable regional premiere to our stage and introduce our audiences to a musical that is both incredibly entertaining and deeply moving."
The Tony Award-winning musical, with music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein and a book by Sankoff and Hein, brings the people of Gander and the passengers they welcomed to life through a powerful combination of music, humor, and storytelling.
Featuring a cast of just 12 actors portraying dozens of characters, Come From Away moves seamlessly between the passengers, pilots, residents, and other people whose lives unexpectedly intersect in Gander. The result is a fast-moving and deeply human theatrical experience that celebrates the connections formed when people from different backgrounds find themselves facing the same extraordinary circumstances.
"There is something particularly exciting about being the first theater in our region to produce 'Come From Away,'" Sponhouse said. "This is a story that has resonated with audiences around the world, and we're thrilled to give our community the opportunity to experience it here. Opening our 50th season with this regional premiere makes it even more special, because the heart of this story is so closely connected to what CTL has been doing for five decades, bringing people together through storytelling."
The timing of the production also carries particular significance. The performance run surrounds the 25th anniversary of the events of Sept. 11, 2001, giving audiences an opportunity to remember a tragedy that changed the world while also reflecting on the extraordinary compassion that emerged in its aftermath.
"In the midst of one of humanity's darkest moments, Gander became an unexpected light," Sponhouse added.
"Twenty-five years later, we remember the lives lost and the impact of that day, but we can also remember the people who chose to open their doors and care for one another. That's a message worth bringing to our stage, especially at the beginning of our 50th season."
The cast for "Come From Away" includes: Kim Fulmer (Beulah, others), Jason Puckey (Claude, others), Ryan Lannan (Oz, others), Aimee Hunsinger (Janice, others), Dani Sommers (Bonnie, others), Seth Confer (Kevin T., others), Sergio Marques (Kevin J., others), Marina Gresh (Hannah, others), Megan Fisher (Diane, others), Theo Lentz (Nick, others), Nathan Crawford (Bob, others) and Rachel Druckenmiller (Beverly, others),
Pit singers for the show include: Nancy Butts, Amanda Chapple, Kayla Furman, Kendra Nilson, Kat Shondeck, Amber Whited
The production staff is comprised of Seth Sponhouse (director), Ellen Boll (music director) and Naomi Alexander (choreographer).
For additional information or tickets, visit CTLshows.com or follow Community Theatre League on Facebook and Instagram.