Come From Away at Cadillac Palace Theatre

Come and see the amazing true story Come From Away. Only at the Cadillac Palace Theatre Chicago! Come From Away is a Best Musical winner all across North America, and the true story of 7000 passengers stranded in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland. The tale of what happened when passengers arrived and cultures clashed with the locals: tensions built to a breaking point. But then the unthinkable happened, the uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendships.

Come From Away Tickets:

“It takes you to a place you never want to leave!”

“A hit and a masterpiece! Joyous, uplifting and plenty of hummer”

“A totally soul-feeling wonderful musical”

“Beautifully gives people reason to come to the theatre again”

A True Story

Come From Away is the true story of 38 airplanes that were flying on September 11 2001. That night the United States Federal Aviation Authority makes the decision to shut down its airspace, forcing over 4 000 flights to land at the nearest airport. Inbound flights from Europe are diverted to Canada. Gander international airport is told 18 planes will be landing at the airport and passengers are not to leave the planes. 15 minutes later an additional 13 planes land at Gander International Airport. By the end of the day a total of 38 planes carrying 6 579 passengers and crew land that afternoon, with no possibility of continuing their flights eventually the decision is made to disembark in the small town of Gander, with only a population of 10 000 people it was going to be an extraordinary challenge for the town to take on.

The Tony Award Winning Come From Away is a Best Musical winner all across North America! Don’t miss this breathtaking new musical written by Tony nominees Irene Sankoff and David Hein, and helmed by Tony-winning Best Director, Christopher Ashley. With Jenn Colella winning a Drama Desk Award for her portrayal of Captain Beverley Bass. The creators Irene Sankoff and David Hein had to take 16 000 stories over 5 days and condense it down to a 100-minute musical using just 12 actors, all of the characters are based off real people who lived these extraordinary events. Come From Away has traveled across North America with four pre-Broadway runs, including La Jolla Playhouse, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Ford’s Theatre and Mirvish Productions. In late October 2016, Come From Away traveled to Newfoundland and Labrador to perform two benefit concerts in Gander. 100% of ticket sales went to local Newfoundland charities that supported the affected communities.

History and culture of Gander: a setting unlike any other

Gander was chosen for the construction of an airport in 1935 because of its location close to the northeastern tip of North America. In 1936, workers began clearing land, boasting one square mile of tarmac. Captain Douglas Fraser made the first landing at “Newfoundland Airport” now known as Gander International Airport on January 11, 1938. With the onset of WWII, as many as 12,000 British, Canadian and American servicemen lived in crowded barracks beside and between the runways. Gander became a strategic post for the Royal Air Force Ferry command. After the war, efforts were made to move residents a safer distance away from the runways. Construction began in the 1950s on the current town site. During the post-war/Cold War era, Gander emerged as the hub of commercial transatlantic aviation, gaining the name the “Crossroads of the World.” As a result of its international heritage, Gander’s residents include individuals and families from countries on five different continents. Gander is primarily an English-speaking community, though many residents also speak French. Warm and friendly, the people of Gander are famous for their hospitality. Newfoundland and Labrador was named one of the top 10 friendliest cultures in the world according to Macleans magazine. The community treats non-Newfoundlanders (known to Newfoundlanders as “come from aways”) as family. Visit Gander, and you might find yourself involved in a screech-in ceremony. During this initiation to Newfoundland, outsiders take a shot of screech (Newfoundland rum), perform a short recitation, and kiss a codfish.

Come From Away Reviews:

“This New York Times Critics’ Pick takes you into the heart of the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them.”

“COME FROM AWAY, the inspiring, funny and kick-ass beautiful new musical serving as the Broadway debut for the married team of Irene Sankoff and David Hein, who co-authored the book and score, takes a true story that began on September 11th, 2001, and tells it in an exhilarating fashion that celebrates decency and human kindness. The helpers of Come From Away were not in a position to risk their lives on that tragic day, but they were given the opportunity to open their hearts and, as dramatized on the Schoenfeld stage, they gloriously did so…”
– Michael Dale, Broadway World

“Imagine a musical, based on a true story, that celebrates kindness and charity toward distressed foreigners. At a moment in history when certain politicians are telling us to fear and reject immigrants, we’re shown ordinary people who act spontaneously out of a concern for others. Come from Away, doesn’t have an ironic or cynical bone in its body. It’s a celebration of the best human instincts, and, particularly coming at this time, doesn’t seem at all hokey. It’s cheering and refreshing.”
– Robert Feldberg, The Record