Come From Away, 13 July 2019 *****

MUSICAL THEATRE 

Book, Music & Lyrics by David Hein & Irene Sankoff

Comedy Theatre, until Oct 27, 2019 

Reviewer: Kate Herbert (reviewed at preview performance on Sat 13 July 2019)

Stars: ***** (5)  
This review NOT published in Herald Sun. KH

Melbourne Cast of Come From Away-photo Jeff Busby

Come From Away is a remarkable, exhilarating and joyous celebration of the human spirit at its best, and the audience leapt to its feet in a standing ovation at the finale. This show is a rare creature you should not miss.

On September 11 2001, 38 planes were diverted to a tiny town in Newfoundland, Canada, almost 7,000 passengers were met with warmth and open-hearted generosity.

On that dark day, the 10,000 residents of Gander and neighbouring towns gave shelter, solace and a warm hearth to complete strangers displaced by the events of 9-11. These people shared their lives. Remember sharing?

In their electrifying and outstanding musical, writers, David Hein and Irene Sankoff, condense 16,000 stories from real interviews into a narrative set over five days, with dozens of quirky characters portrayed by an exceptional ensemble of twelve.

Hein and Sankoff weave an uplifting and compelling tale, about the passengers who start in a state of panic, despair and ignorance, and the extraordinary residents of Gander who rally to make them welcome. As news filters through from New York, these strangers commune and a new, short-term community takes shape.

With Christopher Ashley’s deft direction, actors transform into multiple characters with only the change of a jacket and an accent. On a stage sparsely decorated with wooden chairs and slender tree trunks, they transport us from claustrophobic plane to crowded sleeping quarters or a rowdy pub.

Ashley sets a vivacious pace that never tires the audience, but keeps us energised and on the edge of our seats, because we care about these people.

We wait anxiously for news of Hannah’s (Sharriese Hamilton) fireman son in New York, Captain Beverly Bass’s (Zoe Gertz) pilot friend, wonder if this odd couple (Nathan Carter, Katrina Retallick) will get together, and will the gay partners, Kevin and Kevin (Doug Hansell, Nicholas Brown), split up?

With precision and style, Hein and Sankoff thread dialogue amongst the spirited, witty lyrics and complex, choral harmonies of their songs, to inform story, characters and relationships.

The signature tune, Welcome to the Rock, provides a stirring anthem about Newfoundland that is reminiscent of a Les Miz chorus, while the rousing Celtic, folk-rock score, featuring a live band (fiddle, guitar, bass, bodhran, accordion), supports the ebullient performers.

City slickers and foreigners start to realise they won’t be robbed or killed in this gentle, surprisingly tolerant, isolated island, although some of Muslim faith are carefully screened.

Come From Away has an unlikely story for a musical, but it works and its celebratory story renews one’s faith in humanity. I’d wanted to watch it all over again immediately it finished. If you see nothing else this year, see this. It’s worth it.

By Kate Herbert

COME_FROM-AWAY-Zoe Gertz - pic Jeff Busby

COME_FROM-_AWAY_Nathan Carter Katrina Retallick -pic Jeff Busby

Cast

Zoe Gertz - Captain Beverly Bass

Richard Piper - Mayor of Gander (and other characters)

Sharriese Hamilton- (Hannah)

Doug Hansell – Kevin T

Nicholas Brown - Kevin

Kolby Kindle –Bob

Emma Powell - Beulah

Katrina Retallick – Diane

Kellie Rode-  Bonnie

Sarah Harrision -Janice

Nathan Carter – Nick

Simon Maiden – Oz, Rabbi

Director - Christopher Ashley

Musical Staging -Kelly Devine

Musical Director -Luke Hunter

Musical Supervisor -Ian Eisendrath