{"id":1742,"date":"2025-04-24T13:46:27","date_gmt":"2025-04-24T13:46:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/?p=1742"},"modified":"2025-04-24T13:46:35","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T13:46:35","slug":"come_from_away-en","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/en\/theather-and-me\/come_from_away-en\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8220;One thing I loved more than anything Was used as the bomb.&#8221;: How a Canadian Musical Finds Hope in the Darkest Hour"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Not long ago, I watched <em>Come From Away<\/em>, and it quickly climbed the ranks to become one of my favorite musicals of all time. This time, my experience went far beyond just sitting in the audience\u2014I had a detailed companion book that opened up a new layer of understanding, offering insight into both the story and the people behind it.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"799\" src=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-16.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1739\" srcset=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-16.png 660w, https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-16-248x300.png 248w, https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-16-10x12.png 10w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><em>Come From Away<\/em> is more than a musical. It\u2019s a powerful true story. It\u2019s a modern legend born from an unimaginable crisis. Set in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, the show recounts how a community of fewer than 10,000 people responded with extraordinary kindness when 38 planes were diverted there after the 9\/11 terrorist attacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What makes this story unforgettable isn\u2019t just the historical backdrop\u2014it\u2019s the raw, heartfelt humanity that shines through. This isn\u2019t just a Canadian story; it\u2019s a universal one about compassion, resilience, and the power of human connection in the face of fear and chaos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_75 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseprofile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/en\/theather-and-me\/come_from_away-en\/#An_Unbelievable_True_Story\" >An Unbelievable True Story<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/en\/theather-and-me\/come_from_away-en\/#The_Sound_of_Canada_How_Music_Carries_a_Nations_Identity\" >The Sound of Canada: How Music Carries a Nation\u2019s Identity<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/en\/theather-and-me\/come_from_away-en\/#A_Theatrical_Experience_That_Hits_You_in_the_Heart\" >A Theatrical Experience That Hits You in the Heart<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"An_Unbelievable_True_Story\"><\/span><strong>An Unbelievable True Story<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Imagine a small town of fewer than 10,000 people suddenly welcoming 7,000 unexpected strangers. These travelers had been grounded in the remote town of Gander, Newfoundland, after 9\/11, their planes rerouted with no warning. They came from different countries, spoke different languages, followed different religions\u2014yet in the midst of chaos and fear, their paths suddenly crossed. And Gander&#8217;s residents didn\u2019t hesitate. They opened their homes, shared their food and clothes, and offered warmth, care, and humanity without expecting anything in return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Can you picture it? Thousands of displaced strangers, embraced by a town full of people who had never met them\u2014and yet treated them like family. This is the heart of <em>Come From Away<\/em>\u2014a story that reminds us of the light that can emerge from the darkest of times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s no wonder that during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the official <em>Come From Away<\/em> documentary was released, it resonated so deeply. The story taps into something universal: our longing for connection, kindness, and acceptance when we\u2019re at our most vulnerable. Deep down, we all wish for our own version of Gander\u2014a place where compassion comes before judgment, and where strangers become lifelines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This spirit echoes far beyond Newfoundland. It reminds me of my current project on Toronto, a city that has quietly become one of the most diverse places on Earth. Walk its streets and you\u2019ll hear over 80 languages. Every accent carries its own heritage, every difference is welcomed rather than feared. In Toronto, diversity isn\u2019t just tolerated\u2014it\u2019s celebrated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just like in Gander, people here know how to come together across cultures and beliefs. Though separated by miles, the two places share something profound: the Canadian spirit of empathy, hospitality, and respect for all. It\u2019s a reminder that what connects us isn\u2019t what we have in common\u2014it\u2019s our willingness to embrace what makes us different, and to do so with open arms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Sound_of_Canada_How_Music_Carries_a_Nations_Identity\"><\/span><strong>The Sound of Canada: How Music Carries a Nation\u2019s Identity<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As a musical created by Canadians, <em>Come From Away<\/em> offers a powerful example of how a country\u2019s cultural DNA can be woven into art\u2014and then shared with the world. What truly impressed me was how thoughtfully the creative team embedded Newfoundland\u2019s regional spirit into the show\u2019s very rhythm and sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The score blends traditional Newfoundland folk and Celtic influences with the energy of modern musical theatre, creating a soundscape that feels both local and universally moving. The choice of instruments is especially telling\u2014bodhr\u00e1ns, pennywhistles, and accordions infuse the music with an earthy, authentic quality that immediately transports the audience to the Atlantic coast. Composer David Hein even spent a week learning to play the accordion himself, just to ensure the music felt rooted in the land it came from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But it\u2019s not just the instruments\u2014the show is packed with charming Canadian references that make audiences chuckle and feel at home. From Newfoundland slang in the lyrics, to Tim Hortons coffee shops, Shoppers Drug Mart, and the iconic Canadian moose, every detail reinforces the setting without ever feeling forced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These subtle cultural nods not only bring authenticity, but also foster connection. Canadian audiences see their lives reflected on stage, while international viewers are invited to experience the warmth, humor, and everyday quirks of Canadian life. It\u2019s these touches that make <em>Come From Away<\/em> not just a story set in Canada\u2014but unmistakably Canadian in spirit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Theatrical_Experience_That_Hits_You_in_the_Heart\"><\/span><strong>A Theatrical Experience That Hits You in the Heart<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Watching <em>Come From Away<\/em> live is far more than just attending a musical\u2014it\u2019s an emotional rollercoaster that pulses with energy, heart, and human connection. While the cast recording offers a beautiful taste of the music, nothing compares to experiencing the full live production, where sound, lighting, performance, and stage direction weave together into something deeply immersive and electrifying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every pause, every volume shift, every seamless role transition draws you deeper into the story\u2019s emotional arc. One moment, you&#8217;re holding your breath during a somber scene; the next, you&#8217;re laughing out loud with the characters. This precise rhythm of emotional highs and lows keeps the performance tight, dynamic, and utterly gripping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What struck me most was the sheer stamina and skill of the cast. As I once joked on social media: \u201cBroadway performers are basically superheroes.\u201d For nearly two hours straight, they sing, dance, and act with astonishing precision and energy\u2014without missing a beat. Compared to the still-developing musical theatre scene in China, where stage coordination and actor performance are often uneven, North American productions like this showcase a masterclass in ensemble storytelling. Great theatre demands more than talent\u2014it\u2019s about the perfect alignment of actors, lighting, sound, and set design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In <em>Come From Away<\/em>, actors glide effortlessly between multiple characters, each switch feeling fresh and emotionally driven. This isn\u2019t just technical prowess\u2014it\u2019s storytelling at its best. Even the band steps beyond the pit, joining the cast onstage in moments of dance and choreography, adding even more layers to the visual and emotional texture of the performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Broadway\u2019s latest generation of musicals leans heavily into rhythm, emotion, and sharp theatrical timing. Unlike shows that resemble concerts, these productions emphasize narrative drama. <em>Come From Away<\/em> is a prime example: its ensemble cast shifts roles constantly, supported by an invisible but flawless backstage team. The lighting operators, sound engineers, and stage managers work together in what industry insiders call \u201cfader ballet\u201d\u2014a dance of precision that elevates the entire show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ultimately, the live performance delivers an impact that no recording can replicate. Even if the soundtrack moves you, the in-person experience brings a richer, fuller emotional resonance. It\u2019s this kind of theatrical alchemy that reminds you why live theatre remains so powerful\u2014and so irreplaceable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"935\" height=\"461\" src=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1736\" srcset=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image.jpg 935w, https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-300x148.jpg 300w, https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-768x379.jpg 768w, https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-18x9.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 935px) 100vw, 935px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most moving moments in <em>Come From Away<\/em> is the solo \u201cMe and the Sky,\u201d performed by the female airline captain\u2014a powerful tribute to real-life pilot Beverley Bass. The song traces her journey from a young girl with dreams of flying to becoming the first female captain for a major U.S. airline. But it\u2019s not just a personal victory; it\u2019s a symbol of women breaking through barriers in male-dominated industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beverley\u2019s story resonates deeply, not only because of the thrill of flight it captures, but also for the challenges she overcame to claim her place in the skies. When tragedy struck on 9\/11 and the aircraft she loved became symbols of terror, her entire identity as a pilot was shaken. Her heartbreak is captured in one haunting lyric: <em>\u201cMy favorite thing was used as a bomb.\u201d<\/em> It\u2019s a line that hits every audience member hard\u2014because who hasn\u2019t felt the grief of watching something they love twisted into something they no longer recognize?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What\u2019s also striking about Beverley is her unfiltered charm. In an interview, she once said she chose to fly for American Airlines because \u201cthey had the best-looking planes.\u201d That simple, cheeky statement reveals not just her personality, but the kind of instinct and confidence it takes to stand out\u2014and stand strong\u2014in a male-dominated cockpit. She didn\u2019t just break ceilings; she soared past them, inspiring generations of women to take flight alongside her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"936\" height=\"470\" src=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-14.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1737\" srcset=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-14.png 936w, https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-14-300x151.png 300w, https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-14-768x386.png 768w, https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-14-18x9.png 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 936px) 100vw, 936px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In real life, Beverley Bass made history again by leading the first all-female crewed flight in the U.S. She\u2019s brought countless young female aviators to see <em>Come From Away<\/em>, sharing with them not just a story, but a legacy of pride, strength, and possibility. And yet, the conversation around women in aviation is far from over. After a recent Delta incident at Toronto Airport, debates flared once more about whether women are as \u201cfit\u201d to fly as men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But here\u2019s what we can\u2019t forget: it\u2019s precisely because of women like Beverley that these discussions even exist. Her courage and perseverance helped push gender into the spotlight\u2014not as a limitation, but as a challenge to overcome. She proved that leadership, resilience, and responsibility know no gender\u2014and her story continues to inspire women everywhere to aim higher and fly farther.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Based on true events from 9\/11, Come From Away tells the extraordinary story of how a small Canadian town welcomed 7,000 stranded passengers with open arms. Through powerful staging and emotionally rich music, the musical reveals the best of humanity in the face of crisis. This article explores its highlights, standout moments on the North American stage, and how it tackles themes like gender equality\u2014offering a deep dive into what makes this production so uniquely moving.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1740,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[143,93],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1742","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-theather-and-me","category-uncategorized-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1742","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1742"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1742\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1740"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1742"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1742"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1742"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}