How does a town of 9,000 feed 7,000 strangers? (

How does a town of 9,000 feed 7,000 strangers?

On September 11, 2001, 38 airplanes were diverted to the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, stranding nearly 7,000 passengers for five days. COME FROM AWAY, this Broadway hit tells the story of humanity at its best in the shadow of the worst of humankind and will play in Stamford's Kweskin Theatre, 1349 Newfield Avenue, September 11 through October 4.

"COME FROM AWAY is the only Broadway musical that I've ever paid to see three times...that's how much I loved this show," said Lou Ursone, Curtain Call's executive director and one of 12 actors in the production. "It's one of the most moving musicals I've ever seen, and while 9/11 is the backdrop and reason why these 'plane people' were stranded, it's about the resilience of the human spirit and about people opening their hearts to others," he added. The people of Gander responded with kindness, hospitality, and generosity. The musical explores the theme of community and the power of human connection, highlighting how strangers became family in the face of adversity. With a vibrant folk-inspired score and an ensemble cast portraying multiple characters, COME FROM AWAY celebrates the spirit of compassion and unity in the midst of crisis.

In 2011, David Hein and Irene Sankoff, who wrote the book, music and lyrics for COME FROM AWAY, received a Canada Council for the Arts grant to travel to Newfoundland for the tenth anniversary of September 11, 2001. There they met and interviewed returning passengers, pilots and local townsfolk. With an additional grant from the Ontario Arts Council, they first workshopped COME FROM AWAY at the inaugural season of The Canadian Music Theatre Project (CMTP). In January, 2013, they developed the show further at Goodspeed Musicals’ Festival of New Musicals and again in March at CMTP. Following other out-of-town development productions, the show opened on Broadway in March 2017.

When COME FROM AWAY opened, New York Times reviewer Ben Brantley wrote, "The show — based on interviews with the people who inspired it — covers a vast expanse of sensitive material with a respect for its complexity. It understands that much of what it portrays is guaranteed to stir fraught memories among many of us. And it may provide just the catharsis you need in an American moment notorious for dishonorable and divisive behavior."

"We're all incredibly honored to tell this story, and so excited to be the first locally produced, post-Broadway production of this amazing show in CT," Ursone noted. While the show had a great Broadway run of nearly 1,700 performances—and several years of touring —Curtain Call is one of a handful of community-based theatres across the country allowed to present this remarkable show. "COME FROM AWAY is the kind of show that makes you smile, cry and laugh all while reminding you of how good people really can be...and, like me, you'll want to see it again," Ursone said."COME FROM AWAY shows how the worst of humanity can be felled by the best of humanity," he added.

Director Karen Randazzo has been working throughout the Northeast for over 40 years, including many corporate entertainment programs through the company that she and her husband, Peter, run: Steppin' Out Entertainment. The musical director for the show, Neil Flores, has been involved with Curtain Call for several years, as an actor, a stage manager, and now as music director. In addition to Ursone, the cast includes past Curtain Call performers Miguel Acevedo, Sophia Burdett, Tracey Marble, Brian Meltzer, Gregory Suss, Jonathan Wu, and Gail Yudain. Making their Curtain Call debut are Ryan Deal, Dina Dessner, Stacie Perlman, and Marisa Zullin.

Randazzo has directed numerous shows at Curtain call since 2001 - her most recent success was the January hit, STEEL MAGNOLIAS. While a 100 minute musical may look and sound simple/easy, Randazzo had these thoughts: "When I was asked to direct COME FROM AWAY I immediately felt both excitement and anxiety. The show is such a beautiful, moving piece and everyone loves it, which triggered the anxiety. Will I do it justice? Will it meet the high expectations? Luckily, if nothing else, I am really good at casting. This cast is not only musically talented, but thoughtful, dedicated, and true fans of the show. Their character and kindness as actors make COME FROM AWAY a treasure trove of reasons to believe humanity will thrive through love and decency."

In the spirit of the incredible generosity of the people of Gander, Curtain Call will be encouraging patrons to bring donations of food, clothing, and basic necessities for our neighbors in need by partnering with our fellow nonprofit, Person to Person. With the production opening on the 24th anniversary of that fateful day, Curtain Call has also offered free tickets to local first responders for opening night.

Performances will be held in The Kweskin Theatre at the Sterling Farms Theatre Complex, 1349 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, CT, September 11 through October 4, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30pm and Sunday afternoons at 2:00pm. Doors open one half hour before show time.

Tickets are available online at CurtainCallinc.com or by calling the Box Office at 203-461-6358. There is plentiful on-site parking and two restaurant partners: The Royal Green Restaurant and The Stillery. (Call for special restaurant offers at 203-998-7225.) Shows following COME FROM AWAY include THE 39 STEPS, MISERY, WHITE CHRISTMAS, and many more.