**** Highly Recommended Come from Away is on my list of top 10 musicals ever! I can’t remember when a production moved me like this one does. This show is an emotional rollercoaster; it made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me cheer. In fact, the entire Paramount Theater audience stood and cheered at the end. Out of the tragedy on 9/11 comes a marvelous story of hope and friendship. Paramount Theatre’s production of Come from Away is a must-see. Kudos to Director Trent Stark. 4 BIG Spotlights
As as a result of the 9/11 attacks, the FAA grounded all flights across the United States. After that action, the Canadian government launched Operation Yellow Ribbon, which diverted all international civilian flights away from U.S. airspace, instead ordering them to land at military and civilian airports across Canada. 38 wide-body airplanes from around the world landed at Gander International Airport in Newfoundland.
Gander’s police officer, Oz (Nick Druzbanski, front), and his fellow Gander residents look on as 38 planes begin landing on their town’s airstrip in Newfoundland on 9/11. Paramount ’s Chicago Regional Premiere of Come From Away also features (front row, from left) Andrea Prestinario, Susie McMonagle, Soara-Joye Ross, Sevon Askew, Zak Berger, (back row) Sara Reinecke, Russell Konstans, Michelle Duffy, Adam Qutaishat, Abby C. Smith and Ron E. Rains. Photo credit: Brett Beiner Photography
So, what does a town of fewer than 10,000 residents do when 38 planes with close to 7,000 passengers land? They get organized – and then they welcome them. The show opens with a rousing song, Welcome to the Rock, a foot-stomping anthem to Gander and its people.
Gander was in the middle of a strike by the school bus drivers. Negotiations were interrupted when several locals, including the mayor and the air traffic controller, got an alert about a plane landing at the airport – which used to be busy as a refueling stop, before jumbo jets – and another and another. After singing about the 38 Planes, they started getting organized.
Sara Reinecke (standing on chair) plays Janice, a local TV news reporter covering the sudden arrival of 38 planes and 7,000 air travelers on 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland in Paramount Theatre’s Chicago Regional Premiere of Come From Away. Photo credit: Brett Beiner Photography
Singing Blankets and Bedding, they set up shelters in the school, the Salvation Army, the day care center, even the hockey rink (games were cancelled – gasp!). The mayor went to the grocery warehouse for food and other supplies; then he went back for baby food, formula, diapers, toothbrushes and other personal products.
On the planes, the passengers had no idea what was happening as they were warned to brace for an emergency landing. Once on the ground, they were kept in the planes until the authorities checked for terrorists and bombs. when they were allowed off, they were loaded on buses. Multiple languages made communication difficult, but the locals figured it all out.
Andrea Prestinario (front) plays Beverly, the first female captain for American Airlines, forced to divert her flight to Gander, Newfoundland on the morning of 9/11. Nick Druzbanski is Oz, Gander’s police officer, and Sevon Askew plays Bob, a stranded traveler. in Paramount Theatre’s Come From Away. Photo credit: Brett Beiner Photography
Some highlights:
- The number one priority for the passengers – access to a phone.
- The RSPCA organized food and water for the cats, dogs and monkeys (even a pregnant monkey) on the planes,
- A gay couple from the city trying on clothes – Costume Party
- Residents and locals gathering in churches to pray in their own unique ways – Prayer
The bible provides a universal language after 7,000 air travelers are stranded in Gander, Newfoundland in Paramount Theatre’s Chicago Regional Premiere of Come From Away. (From left) Soara-Joye Ross, Sevon Askew and Zak Berger all make their Paramount debut in this first local staging of this seven-time Tony-nominated musical. Photo credit: Brett Beiner Photography
- Accusations of terrorism against one poor Muslim man – who turned out to be a master chef
- One couple broke up - another fell in love
- Everyone gathered for a giant cookout ending with music and song
- The goodbyes and pledges of friendship and the rousing Finale
(front, seated from left) Three “Come From Aways” - Sevon Askew as Bob, Susie McMonagle as Diane, and Ron E. Rains as Nick - are welcomed by Newfoundlanders (back, from left) Abby C. Smith as Beulah, Nick Druzbanski as Oz, Russell Konstans as Gander’s Mayor, Claude, and Adam Qutaishat as another stranded traveler, Kevin J., in Paramount Theatre’s Chicago Regional Premiere of Come From Away. Photo credit: Brett Beiner Photography
Paramount’s phenomenal cast all played multiple parts. Andrea Prestinario (Beverly, the first female pilot for American Airlines and others), Susie McMonagle (Diane and others), Abby C. Smith (Beulah and others), Soara-Joye Ross (Hannah and others), Michelle Duffy (Bonnie and others), Sara Reinecke (Janice and others), Russell Konstans (Claude and others), Ron E. Rains (Nick and others), Zak Berger (Kevin T. and others), Adam Qutaishat (Kevin J. and others), Sevon Askew (Bob and others) and Nick Druzbanski (Oz and others). They turned a miscellaneous collection of wooden chairs into an airplane, a bus, a restaurant, and more.
Paramount Theatre’s Chicago Regional Premiere of Come From Away features (from left) Sara Reinecke (Janice), Andrea Prestinario (Beverly), Ron E. Rains (Nick), Susie McMonagle (Diane), Michelle Duffy (Bonnie), Soara-Joye Ross (Hannah), Sevon Askew (Bob), Russell Konstans (Claude), Zak Berger (Kevin T.) and Adam Qutaishat (Kevin J.). Photo credit: Brett Beiner Photography
Offstage vocalists/ understudies are Sophie Grimm, Lydia Burke, Lara Filip, Jason Richards, Makenzy Jenkins and Lincoln J. Skoien.
The Band was onstage for the entire performance. A couple of times, they even walked over and joined the cast for a song. At the end of the show, after the first curtain call, they moved to the front of the stage and played a rousing tune while the audience clapped in time.
Paramount Theatre’s Chicago Regional Premiere of Come From Away features (from left) Andrea Prestinario, Zak Berger, Sara Reinecke, Adam Qutaishat, Soara-Joye Ross, Russell Konstans, Nick Druzbanski, Michelle Duffy, Sevon Askew, Ron E. Rains, Susie McMonagle, and Abby C. Smith. Photo credit: Brett Beiner Photography
Musicians: Kory Danielson (Conductor, Keyboard/Harmonium), Kailey Rockwell (Associate Conductor), Sean McNeely (Whistles/Flutes), Wendy Benner (Fiddle), Justin LaForte (Guitar 1 – Electric, Acoustic, Nylon, Drop D Steel), Dave Saenger (Guitar 2 – Steel String Acoustic, Drop D Steel, Bouzouki, Octave Mandolin, Mandolin), Chuck Webb (Bass - Electric, Fretless, Acoustic), Bobby Everson (Bodhran/African/Latin/Irish Percussion), Jim Widlowski (Drums/Percussion).
Come from Away is a Canadian musical with book (script), music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, who spent time in Gander in 2011, interviewing Gander residents and returning passengers. The characters are based on real Gander residents and some of the passengers, sometimes even using their real names. Come from Away, which was nominated for seven Tony Awards, won the Tony for Best Direction of a Musical.
Paramount Theatre’s Come From Away features Andrea Prestinario (front) as Beverly, the first female captain for American Airlines, forced to divert her flight to Gander, Newfoundland on the morning of 9/11. (standing on chairs, from left) Soara-Joye Ross, Sara Reinecke and Abby C. Smith are her flight attendant chorus. (seated, from left) Russell Konstans and Zak Berger also play multiple roles. Photo credit: Brett Beiner Photography
Come from Away runs through October 12th at the Paramount Theatre, 23 East Galena Blvd, Aurora. Valet parking is available, plenty of street parking too.
Running time is one hour, 40 minutes, no intermission. Performances: Wednesdays at 1:30 and 7:00 p.m.; Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.; Fridays at 8:00 p.m.; Saturdays at 3:00 and 8:00 p.m.; Sundays at 1:00 and 5:30 p.m. Tickets range from $56-$158. FYI (630) 896-6666 or www.paramountaurora.com