The Extraordinary Tale of Gander’s Generosity after 9/11

One of the most poignant stories from the September 11, 2001 terror attacks is about the compassion shown by residents of Gander, a small Canadian town, to stranded travelers. Following the attacks, the Federal Aviation Administration grounded all air traffic, forcing 38 international flights to land at an airport in Newfoundland near Gander. Locals provided aid and comfort to seven thousand passengers and crew members desperate for news from home. Their kindness inspired the musical Come From Away.

Come From Away Production and Success

With book, music, and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, Come From Away features an ensemble cast of 12 actors playing multiple characters, from travelers to Newfoundlanders. Sankoff and Hein researched in Gander during a 10th-year reunion in 2011. Using interviews and a folk-infused score, the musical premiered in New York in March 2017. It won three Drama Desk Awards and a Tony Award. The Broadway run lasted 5 1/2 years, with a break due to COVID, and the musical has been widely produced.

Come From Away has been captured live and is available on Apple TV+. Sankoff and Hein, both Canadians living in New York during 9/11, were unaware of events in Gander at first. However, the compassion shown by their community during the crisis resonated with them when they learned the Gander story.

One of our neighbors in New York City thanked us for taking planes that day. We didn’t know what they meant but later understood their gratitude when we learned of Gander’s response.

The Musical Journey

Commissioned to write a musical for Sheridan College, Sankoff and Hein feared the complexity of the 9/11 stories. Hein, influenced by Newfoundland music, recognized how locals used music to cope during difficult times. As they explored these stories, they realized Come From Away was meant to be a musical.

Using testimonies for book and lyrics, Hein notes influences such as a Chorus Line and Studs Terkel’s Working. They aimed for authenticity, ensuring the real people could see their stories in the theatrical portrayal.

The Message of Kindness

The show highlights first responders, not as heroes, but as individuals responding to an emergency. The travelers saw this as extraordinary kindness, while locals viewed it as common-sense generosity. Sankoff explained how respecting humanity turned frightened strangers into friends and eventually family.

Impact on Audiences

Despite many audience members not being alive during 9/11, Come From Away resonates widely. Hein shares stories of a young Muslim woman gaining context from the show to understand the global impact of the day. The musical offers a way to teach 9/11 to students by focusing on acts of kindness.

The creators ensured interview subjects approved their portrayals, with some small adjustments for storytelling coherence. Overall, they remained true to the experiences shared by the people of Gander.

Reception and Legacy

The musical’s first Gander performance was met with joy and pride. Come From Away corrected stereotypes, and the audience’s interaction with the show was overwhelmingly positive.

Bringing back Come From Away post-COVID gave a sense of joy amid challenges, paralleling the uncertainty seen during 9/11. Hein shares this connection, emphasizing the bravery of kindness during dark times. The worldwide success and productions in places like Korea and Sweden underscore the universal appeal.

Sankoff reflects on the show’s ability to unite audiences, highlighting the shared values between communities. This global resonance reinforces the hopeful message of humanity’s potential for goodness.