This review was written by a TeenTix KC teen who is learning about arts journalism through the Press Corps, which provides teens with training and tools to respond to their arts experiences. TeenTix KC seeks to engage teens in the arts and amplify their voices. This may be the first time this teen has publicly expressed their opinion about an arts experience. Thank you for reading and supporting this teen’s development as an arts journalist.
The hit Broadway musical Come From Away, written by Irene Sankoff and David Hein and directed by Stuart Carden, carries forth a powerful message of acceptance and the importance of community in times of crisis. Running through September 20, the musical features 22 spectacularly written and choreographed songs, as well as a diverse cast of characters. The story follows the Canadian town of Gander and nearly 7,000 passengers who were grounded there during the airspace closure in America that directly followed 9/11. Even as the residents of the town scramble to find a place for the passengers to stay and food for them to eat, they still welcome the residents with open arms.
Come From Away, despite having some changes made for the sake of theatrics, (such as some characters being a blend of multiple people, rather than one specific person) maintains a strong historical accuracy. The musical being performed on the 25th anniversary of 9/11 helps emphasize how long-lasting the impacts of such an event were. When I walked into the theatre, there were barely any open seats, and many of those were filled by the time the lights went down. It is clear the story behind the musical is incredibly impactful to many, bringing in enough people to fill KC Rep’s entire Spencer Theatre in one night.
Come From Away’s incredible plot is bolstered by the large cast of characters. The residents of the town have distinct personalities, but still clearly come from the same place, as demonstrated by their mannerisms and dialect. However, the townsfolk aren’t the only well-written characters. There are also a variety of passengers from the planes, all from different parts of the world, and all travelling to America for different reasons. Some characters are returning home after a vacation, and some are coming to America for the first time. Many actors play multiple characters, but subtle techniques are used to prevent the audience from confusing who is who. The director and design team have a beautiful way of changing an actor just enough, often using different voices or subtle outfit changes, to make you register them as a completely different person. As someone who often has trouble keeping track of characters, I was pleasantly surprised by how easily I could tell them apart.
One of my favorite elements was the set, created by Courtney O’Neill. The set itself had very few permanent pieces, and most of the environments were created by moving props like chairs and rolling stairs. The chairs were a primary focus in many of the scenes, often used to create seats on various airplanes. This flexible set design allows the stage to be used in its entirety for some of the more choreographed scenes, while also creating a smaller environment for scenes when the whole stage isn’t needed. I personally really enjoy this type of set design, because it lends itself to the story, especially in plays or musicals where multiple distinct settings are necessary.
Come From Away is a wonderfully written play with a well-rounded cast of characters. The technical elements lent themselves beautifully to the musical, the set being especially prominent. All these incredible elements come together to create a musical like no other. Come From Away has a crucial message of acceptance, especially in the context of the modern world, that lingers with you long after the lights come up.
Reviewed by TeenTix KC Press Corps member Mia Carpenter
TeenTix KC is a KC Studio initiative building a brighter future for our region by empowering young people to take an active role in shaping their arts community as audience members, critics, influencers, advocates, patrons and leaders. Any 13-19 year-old can become a TeenTix KC member by downloading a free pass which enables them to buy $5 tickets to participating arts venues across metro KC. Teens are encouraged to become critics and influencers by writing reviews and creating reels about the arts they experience using their TeenTix KC passes.
