COME FROM AWAY – Book, Music and Lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein; Directed by Kenny Moten; Music Direction by David Nehls, Choreography by Jessica Hindsley. Produced by the Arvada Center (6901 Wadsworth Boulevard, Arvada) through May 10th. Tickets available at 720-898-7200 or arvadacenter.org.
When was the last time you attended a play that made you want to be a part of what was happening on-stage? When you felt such kinship with the people on stage that you rejoiced with them and cried with them? That you wished you could have shared the experience they are portraying with them? When a show hits you so hard in your heart that you know you’ll carry it with you forward? If you haven’t seen COME FROM AWAY previously from the touring production or the filmed version on TV, you MUST get a ticket for the Arvada Center production if and when you can to see it now. (Of course, I realize that all good theatre creates that sentiment for its audiences every night! But this script and music is outstanding.)
On 9/11, the people of Gander, Newfoundland, rallied to welcome 7000 stranded passengers from 38 planes diverted away from the events on the mainland. Lodgings were created, food was found, activities scheduled, and friends were made over the five days they had to stay. The show was written, as the playwrights stated, as “a tribute to the real people of Gander, but not necessarily them.” The music that propels the action of the production is at times lively, at times poignant, and at times rousing. The opening number, “Welcome to the Rock,” foreshadows what we are going to witness. The rest of the show does not disappoint in welcoming us into their stories.
The playwrights also wanted to give future productions the ability to perform it easily by allowing for “flexible cast size and . . . technical creativity.” The Arvada Center has taken advantage of this invitation for change. Walls and carts of suitcases adorn the set and provide seating for the cast as they move through the story. The cast of twelve easily moves from multiple roles as both passengers and townspeople. It is always clear who they are at any given moment by their flexible costumes. Their travelling clothes differ just slightly from their Newfoundlander everyday clothing, but it makes all the difference.
Of course, the ease with which they move from the stranded passengers to the helpful townsfolk is primarily the result of the incredible skill of each of these actors. They have all brought their “A” game to this complicated task, making it seem like child’s play. The choreography of this production extends far beyond how they dance. Kenny Moten, the director, has kept his cast focused, streamlined, and warm as they tell these stories and build this community. Over and over, they illustrate the humanity and joy in caring, sharing, and giving to both humans and animals, If this production of this script doesn’t lighten your heart and move you to jump to your feet to reward with your applause at the end of the show, you are made of stone.
It’s hard to call out individual actors in a brilliant ensemble piece such as this. But there is the calm steady presence of the pilot of one of the downed planes (Kelsey Crismon), the two strangers who meet and make a life out of that chance meeting (Megan Van De Hey and Ralph Prentice Daniel), the lady who cares for the animals found in the planes (Mary McGroary), Randy Chalmers as a sexy pilot and a man fearful for his wallet; Nicole deBree whose son is a firefighter in New York, Colin Alexander as the Mayor of Gander, and so many other well-developed characters both from the air and on the ground. The whole ensemble and the on-stage band make a rousing and restorative night at a bar come alive.
In the middle of it all, you find yourself remembering. Where was I on 9/11? How did that horrible day impact my life? Remember how proudly patriotic everyone was for awhile? Flags flying everywhere. What happened to that? The show revisits the lasting impact of that day.
A tiny bit of trivia to send this review: I discovered that Rodney Hicks, a playwright and actor currently living and working in Denver, was in the original cast of COME FROM AWAY. What a joy it must have been to have been a part of creating this original production.
A WOW factor of 10!!
PS: The Arvada Center has done us proud in this first production locally. There will soon be productions all over the state, now that licensing has been released for versions. If for some reason you are unable to attend this production, find one this summer in your travels as they begin to blossom in theatres large and small. You won’t be sorry.