Come From Away at Ivortyton
Reminder of Bssic Humanity
By: Karen Isaacs - Aug 19, 2026
Twenty-five years ago next month, the unimaginable happened. Two passenger jets crashed into the World Trade Towers, another into the Pentagon and a fourth in a field in Ohio.
The world stood still for days in shock and horror.
We learned many people demonstrated enormous acts of courage and kindness. One of those acts of kindness occurred after 28 jumbo jets enroute to the US from Europe were told to land at the airport in Gander, Newfoundland. US air space was closed.
How local residents responded to feed, clothe, house and comfort the thousands of people put into their midst and how those people responded is the basis of Come from Away the musical at Ivoryton Playhouse through Sunday, Sept. 6.
The show, featuring a cast of twelve talented performers, is based on interviews by Irene Sankoff and David Hein who wrote the book, music, and lyrics. The characters are composites, though some of the characters are actual people; for instance, Beverly Bass (Dana Costello) the pilot was the first woman captain for American Airlines.
The show interweaves the townspeople with multiple passengers. We get to meet Hannah, a fine Dee-Dee Darby-Duffin, whose son is a NYC firefighter based in Manhattan. She’s desperate to hear from him. Then there is Diane, from Texas, and Nick from England, who strike up a friendship that escalates into a romance. Both Stacie Fernandez and Billy Clark Taylor are very good in the roles.
In Gander, we get to know Bonnie who runs the local animal rescue and worries about the animals in the cargo holds, the mayor Claude, and others.
When I saw this production, there were still issues with the sound and sound balance. It was only the second performance; I’m sure they were rectified. It did mean that some dialogue was drowned out by the eight-piece ensemble, or the ensemble singing.
But often it is the small cameos that move us the most: the elderly local man talking to a rabbi about being sent from Germany as a young boy and being told to never tell anyone he was Jewish, or the African American man (Bob, played by Miles Hanna) who is startled when told to go around the neighborhood and take the barbeques from backyards. He is sure he will be shot but instead finds himself being asked in for tea. Or the bus driver ferrying passengers from the jets to the town who calms an African couple by finding a passage in their Bible.
Director/choreographer Todd L. Underwood has done a good job keeping the action flowing smoothly and the cast transforming from one character to another. It is a credit to them that you are never confused whether, for example, Jason Ivan Rodriguez is playing Kevin (part of a gay couple) or the Islamic man who is view with suspicion or a townsperson.
The score which leans towards the folk/country genre expresses the stories and feelings. Except for the terrific “Me and the Sky” in which Beverly tell her story about flying, most of the numbers are ensembles. Music Director Angie Benson does a great job with the balances, harmonies and dynamics.
Jessica Drayton’s lighting and projection design is good, as are the costumes by Sean Spina. The set easily represented the numerous locations though the plain wood crates that were moved about at times distracted the eye. I think it was the raw wood that was responsible.
Come from Away and Ivoryton’s production will leave you moved and hopeful at this demonstration of people’s essential willingness to help others.
If only every community could be more like Gander.
Tickets are available at IvorytonPlayhouse.org.
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