“Come From Away” Arrives at The Ahmanson

“Come From Away” has arrived at the Ahmanson at the perfect time. The musical about heroic hospitality towards distressed foreigners is an appropriate anecdote to toady’s political landscape.

Based on a true story, this refreshing tale takes place in Gander, Newfoundland where 38 planes were diverted on 9/11 after American airspace was closed to all flights. Approximately 7,000 passengers arrived, were greeted and provided food, clothing and shelter from the 9,000 friendly residents of Gander.

Directed by Christopher Ashley and written by Canadians Irene Sankoff and husband David Hein, “Come From Away” is an ensemble cast with 12 actors playing dual roles and switching between townspeople and airline passengers.

Beowulf Boritt’s set includes simple furniture, tall trees and an onstage off to the side folk band.

“Come From Away” opens with a bang with “Welcome to the Rock” and features both foot stomping upbeat dance numbers and moving ballads. Many characters with brief vignettes tell the big story including a spirited female airline pilot (Becky Gulsvig), a female passenger worried about her firefighter son (Danielle K. Thomas) and a gay couple (Nick Duckart and Andrew Samonsky). There is also plenty of funny references about Canadians.

During the one hour and forty-minute musical, we watch as people break up, fall in love, discover the fates of loved ones and realize, as the song “Something’s Missing” points out, “Wherever you are, somethings gone.”