Quote of the Day: Tonight, we honor what was lost. But we also commemorate what we found! from the hit Broadway musical Come From Away, created by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, on stage at the Guthrie Theater through August 9, 2026. Directed by Kent Gash. Choreography by Byron Easley, Music direction by J. Oconer Navarro, Scenic design by Edward E. Haynes Jr., Costume design by Kara Harmon, Lighting design by Rui Rita, Sound design by Hidenori Nakajo.

Eric Morris as Claude and the cast of Come From Away at the Guthrie Theater, thru 8/9/26. Photo: Dan Norman

I love the way this musical opens, calling to the audience with a drumbeat, a foot stomp, and the actors emerging as they join the Mayor of Gander, Claude (played with great heart and humor by Eric Morris). The title says it all, “Welcome to the Rock.” The line goes, “Welcome to the Rock if you come from away.” They call the people who land there, visiting from countries all over the world, the “Come From Aways.” What makes this musical so special is that it lifts up the goodness in people. It shows how good can come from bad, and a community that used that time to show their enormous generosity and kindness. It’s all based on real events that happened on 9/11/2001, and the days following, and the stories of real people who were simply going about their regular, everyday lives, but then a terrible tragedy happened, and they found themselves in a unique situation. 

The cast of Come From Away at the Guthrie Theater, thru 8/9/26. Photo: Dan Norman

All of the actors play various roles, representing the thousands of stories that the creative team Sankoff and Hein accumulated through interviews. Some are a representation or a mention, while others are stories that we follow throughout the musical. Beverly Bass was one of the pilots who was flying that day. She was the first female American pilot, and her story is highlighted. Soara-Joye Ross plays Beverly and others. Her solo “Me and the Sky” is one of my favorites. It tells the story of how she declared that she wanted to be a pilot when she was a little girl, when no women were flying commercial airplanes, but she didn’t let that stop her. When Ross sang that solo, I got the goosebumps, and a few tears. She brought out all the emotions and energy. Amazing.

Eric Morris as Claude and the cast of Come From Away at the Guthrie Theater, thru 8/9/26. Photo: Dan Norman

Ann Michels plays Diane and others, and Jim Lichtscheidl plays Nick and others. They are two travelers that meet because of this tragedy. They happen to be on the same plane coming from Paris, France and flying to Dallas, Texas. She’s an American who was visiting her son. He’s an Englishman who was on a business trip. They were both darling in their roles. I love their song, “Stop the World,” and the one Diane sings with others, “Costume Party.” They sing about waking up in a strange place with unfamiliar people, and putting on donated clothes and being fed by the people who welcomed them. They also have a fun number about becoming an honorary Newfoundlander. Also, the band members come out during this number and interact. I love seeing them up there on stage. The musical score is gorgeous, using mostly music from the area of Newfoundland, and including rhythms and melodies from around the world.

Did you ever think about the other passengers on the planes? The animals. Bonnie did. Angela Timberman plays Bonnie and others. Bonnie is the local vet, and risks her own safety to go into the holding area of the planes to check on the animals. Katie Bradley plays Hannah and others, a mother who is worried about her son who is a NYC firefighter. She strikes up a friendship with Beulah, a local woman who is in charge of Gander Academy. Jennifer Grimm plays Beulah and others. I loved her in that role. She has so many great lines and moments, trying to keep it all organized, and meet the needs of all the passengers. 

It’s local reporter Janice’s first day on the job, and she quickly shifts focus from a local bus drivers strike to the tragedy of 9/11 and the sudden influx of people to the area. Kate Beahen plays a sweet Janice and others. I love her lines at the end about meeting famous reporters! Matthew Hall plays Bob and others. Bob is a from New York, and a little suspicious about all this generosity. He forms a lifelong friendship with the mayor of an adjoining town. 

Justin Keyes plays Kevin T. and others, and Evan Balasubramaniam plays Kevin J. and others. Kevin J. works for Kevin T. and they’re in a relationship. It gets a little rocky for them as they navigate the fear and stress of the situation. Evan also plays a passenger from Egypt who is a Muslim. It gives the events another perspective and shows how quickly a group of people can be targeted and blamed and fears take over. 

The cast of Come From Away at the Guthrie Theater, thru 8/9/26. Photo: Dan Norman

One of my favorite characters is Oz, the local policeman. Jon Andrew Hegge plays Oz and others. Oz is funny and quick witted. He has a no BS approach to traffic control! One beautiful moment in the musical is when Beulah announces that they’ve opened up the churches and the library if anyone wants a quiet place to pray. Kevin J. talks about remembering a song from his childhood with the lines, “Make me a channel of your peace,” and starts to sing it. Other actors join in, some singing in another language and representing various religions, blending together and lifting up the spirit of those words, casting their fears to a higher power, and coming together in their shared experience. I get tears in my eyes thinking about it.

Come From Away is truly a masterpiece that captures the experience of thousands of people at the time of a terrible tragedy. It also reflects the emotions many of us felt during those difficult weeks and months following it. Witnessing such amazing care for one another makes this theater experience special and unique. You can see Come From Away at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, MN through August 9, 2026. 

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt: Where were you when the 9/11 attack happened? Where were the people you love?