Entertainment
The Tony-Winning 'Come From Away' Tells A 9/11 Story You Haven't Heard Before—And There's Still Time To Catch It
Published on Jun 11, 2025
If you're a frequent traveler, then you know there are a lot of delays that can happen during the journey. It can be long lines at the check-in counters and immigration, or delayed boarding times and changes in your boarding gate. Some delays can happen mid-flight too, which may require diverting your plane to the nearest possible airport.
That's exactly what happened to over 7,000 passengers during the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks in the United States back in 2001. The true story was brought to life—and beautifully commemorated—in the award-winning Broadway musical Come From Away, which is currently being staged in the Philippines by GMG Productions and STAGES until June 29.
Read on to know more about the true story that inspired the play, as well as the cast members and ticketing details if you want to catch it while it's here.
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What is the plot of the musical, "Come From Away"?
Come From Away follows the story of the citizens of the very humble town of Gander, Newfoundland (one of the provinces of Canada, ICYDK). They welcomed over 7,000 stranded flight passengers with open arms after the devastating 9/11 attacks in New York City.
After two planes crashed into the Twin Towers in the morning of September 11, 2001, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) decided to shut down the American airspace. Effective immediately, over 4,000 planes were asked to divert to nearby airports. Flights coming from European countries were rerouted to Canadian airports, including Gander International Airport.
At the time, Gander was a humble town where around 7,000 people resided. Life was simple in Gander, and everyone's schedules ran the same day after day. Not a lot of tourists even visited their small town. But life quickly changed after their population doubled in size when they had to take in the stranded flight passengers—now nicknamed the "Come From Aways."
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Photo: Courtesy of GMG Productions
Imagine: They didn't have the hotels, food supplies, or even the transportation to accommodate these hungry and weary travelers who had spent nearly 24 hours in transit. Not to mention, there's also a language barrier on both ends. The Newfoundland accent, which features heavily in the play, can be hard to understand for non-locals. Especially during a time when Google Translate or smartphones weren't widely available.
Another thing? These passengers weren't informed why they were diverted from their flights in the first place. Cue: The shock, worry, and feelings of loneliness as you're stuck in a country where you don't know anyone, and nobody knows you.
But that's where the good small-town hospitality comes in. The citizens of Gander team up to provide their visitors with shelter, food, clothing, entertainment, and comfort for the next four to six days. Folks offered rooms in their houses, donated clothes and food, organized community events to uplift spirits, and even set aside their differences to provide service to the Come From Aways. In a very touching performance, the cast delivers the poignant story about finding (and giving) connections, camaraderie, and kindness during a time of need from different points of view.
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Who are in the cast of "Come From Away"?
The musical requires a very talented ensemble cast (read: with stamina that can last through performing for 100 minutes straight!), so the production tapped a formidable cast of veteran musical theater actors.
The show stars a cast of 15 performers, including Cathy Azanza-Dy, Caisa Borromeo, Garrett Bolden, Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante, Becca Coates, Steven Cadd, Mayen Cadd, Rycharde Everley, Topper Fabregas, Sheila Francisco, Carla Guevara Laforteza, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Gian Magdangal, George Schulze, and Chino Veguillas.
Come From Away is directed by Michael Williams, with musical direction by Rony Fortich. They are joined by Delphine Buencamino (Choreography), Harry Tabner (Lighting Designer), Luke Swaffield (Sound Designer), Kayla Teodoro (Production Designer), Myrene Santos (Hair and Makeup Designer), Hershee Tatiado (Costume Designer), and Joel Goldes, the dialect coach from the original Broadway production.
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Photo: Courtesy of GMG Productions
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Photo: Courtesy of GMG Productions
Come From Away runs from June 6 to 29 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater (S-PAT), with tickets priced starting at ₱900 on TicketWorld.
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PHOTO: Courtesy of GMG Productions
Alyana is the Asst. Managing Editor of Cosmopolitan Philippines. If she's not testing the latest beauty drops, she's playing with her two cats and three dogs.