ARTS EXPRESS THEATRE PROUDLY PRESENTS
COME FROM AWAY
A Musical Based on a Remarkable True Story
"It takes you to a place you never want to leave!"
— Newsweek
"One of the most beautiful pieces of theatre I've ever seen. It will restore your faith in humanity."
— The New York Times Critics' Pick
About the Show
At 9:26 a.m. on September 11, 2001, the Federal Aviation Administration shut down U.S. airspace in the wake of the worst terrorist attack on American soil. In the hours that followed, 38 planes carrying approximately 7,000 passengers from dozens of countries were diverted to Gander International Airport — a remote hub in Newfoundland, Canada. Overnight, this town of 9,000 people nearly doubled in population.
What happened next is the heart of Come From Away. Without hesitation, the people of Gander — and the surrounding communities of Gambo, Appleton, Glenwood, and beyond — opened their schools, churches, lodges, and homes to the stranded "plane people." They fed them, clothed them, cared for their pets, and welcomed them as family. By the time the planes finally departed days later, defenses had melted away, unexpected romances had bloomed, and friendships were forged that would last a lifetime.
The title carries a local meaning: in Newfoundland, anyone not born on the island is a "come from away." This musical is a tribute to what happened when the world came from away — and Gander said: you are welcome here.
A story of kindness in the face of tragedy, Come From Away is at once deeply moving and unexpectedly joyful — a celebration of human connection, resilience, and the extraordinary power of generosity. Every event in the show is based on a real event. Every character is a tribute to a real person.
The Story Behind the Story
Canadian husband-and-wife writing team Irene Sankoff and David Hein were living in New York on the morning of September 11, 2001 — close enough to see the smoke rising from the Twin Towers. A decade later, they traveled to Gander on the tenth anniversary of the attacks to interview the residents and the "plane people" who had found themselves together in one of history's most extraordinary moments. What they heard changed them.
"We didn't want to write a 9/11 musical," Hein has explained. "We wanted to write a story about our friends in Newfoundland."
Their first staged reading was held in January 2012. The show then traveled through La Jolla Playhouse (world premiere), Seattle Repertory Theatre, Ford's Theatre in Washington D.C., and the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto — breaking box office records at each stop — before opening on Broadway at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on March 12, 2017.
The Broadway production ran for 1,669 performances, closing October 2, 2022. The West End production played 1,048 performances in London. A live capture of the Broadway production — filmed as Broadway's first company to reopen following the pandemic — is available on Apple TV+ in over 100 countries.
Awards & Recognition
Come From Away has earned global acclaim, accumulating 37 award nominations and 13 wins across the globe:
- 71st Tony Awards (2017): Best Direction of a Musical (Christopher Ashley) — plus six additional nominations including Best Musical and Best Original Score
- 2019 Olivier Awards, London: Best New Musical — plus four total Olivier Awards
- Drama Desk Awards: Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Book of a Musical (Sankoff & Hein), among three total wins
- Outer Critics Circle: Five awards, including Outstanding New Broadway Musical
- Grammy Award Nomination: Best Musical Theater Album for the original Broadway cast recording
- Helen Hayes Awards: Four wins, including Outstanding Production, for the Washington D.C. production
- New York Times Critics' Pick: Named a must-see by the Times for its entire Broadway run
- Apple TV+: Live capture streaming to 100+ countries — the first Broadway company to reopen post-pandemic
Original Creative Team
BOOK, MUSIC & LYRICS
Irene Sankoff & David Hein
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ORIGINAL BROADWAY DIRECTION
Christopher Ashley (Tony Award winner)
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MUSICAL STAGING
Kelly Devine (Tony Nominee)
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ORCHESTRATIONS
August Eriksmoen
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ARRANGEMENTS
Ian Eisendrath
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ORIGINAL PRODUCTION
Junkyard Dog Productions
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LICENSED THROUGH
Music Theatre International (MTI)
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AVAILABLE ON
Apple TV+ (Live Broadway Recording)
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Arts Express Theatre Production Team
DIRECTOR
Dana Milne
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MUSIC DIRECTOR
Elizabeth Spencer
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CHOREOGRAPHER
Simone Jolivet-Manuel
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STAGE MANAGER
Reese Tyburec
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SCENIC DESIGN
Izzy Georgiades
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COSTUME DESIGN
Nicolette Gudenkauf
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LIGHTING DESIGN
Diana Knoepfle
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SOUND DESIGN
Michael Dunn
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MAKE-UP & HAIR
Amber Lackmann
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PROPS MANAGER
Harlie Yingling
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Cast
Come From Away is performed by a company of twelve actors who each play multiple roles — both the residents of Gander and the stranded international travelers. The Arts Express production features the following cast:
PERFORMER
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ROLE
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Dennis Tamblyn
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Claude & Others
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Regina Wills
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Hannah & Others
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Amy Williams
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Beulah & Others
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Amy Gustin Millin
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Beverly & Others
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Caroline Murphy
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Diane & Others
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Kevin Orduño
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Kevin T. / Garth & Others
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Rafael J. Acuña
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Kevin J. / Ali & Others
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Aurora Hunter
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Janice & Others
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Dylan Jackson
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Bob & Others
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AJ Lepore
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Oz & Others
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Dennis O'Dell
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Nick & Others
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Abigail Dunscomb
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Bonnie & Others
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Understudies: Malinia Coleman (Hannah), Alec Errhalt (Kevin T./Nick), Rachael Fornof (Beverly/Bonnie), Martin Lamb (Claude/Oz), Theona Moloney (Diane/Janice), Sara Platter (Beulah)
Performance Details
Run Dates
June 19 – July 12, 2026
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Venue
Arts Express Theatre (Mainstage)
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Runtime
100 minutes (No intermission)
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Ages
Recommended 10+ (References 9/11; some profanity)
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Schedule
Fri–Sat at 7:00 PM Sat–Sun at 2:00 PM
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Tickets
arts-express.org (520) 319-0400
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SCHEDULE NOTE: Both shows on the July 4th holiday (Friday) are canceled. Replacement performances have been added on Sunday, June 28 at 7:00 PM and Sunday, July 5 at 7:00 PM.
Seating & Your Experience
Arts Express Theatre offers an intimate cabaret-style experience — every party, no matter the size, receives its own table. Tables are arranged in rows with different vantage points and heights:
- A Row (Front, Premium): Closest to the stage. Maximum 4 guests per table.
- B & C Row (Standard): Standard-height tables. Maximum 6 guests per table.
- D Row (High-Top): Bar-height tables with stools. Maximum 4 guests per table.
- E Row (Mezzanine): Two-top tables, accessible by stairs.
- F Row (Mezzanine, ADA): Elevated standard-height tables; accessible via stairs or ADA ramp. Maximum 6 guests per table.
- G Row (Mezzanine, Top): Highest available seating. Maximum 6 guests per table.
Lobby opens one hour before each performance. Seating begins 30 minutes before curtain. Complimentary parking available. No refunds; exchanges with 24+ hours' notice only.
Community Spirit
In the tradition of Gander's generosity, Arts Express Theatre has partnered with the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona for this production. Audiences are warmly encouraged to bring canned goods and non-perishable food items to every performance. Donations will be collected in the lobby.
There will also be a preshow celebration of the "Spirit of Gander" at select performances, featuring live musical performances and more. Visit arts-express.org for details.
On 9/11, the world stopped. On 9/12, their stories moved us all.
Don't miss this extraordinary true story — live at Arts Express Theatre.
arts-express.org | (520) 319-0400 | info@arts-express.org
5870 East Broadway Blvd #214, Tucson, Arizona 85711
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