​Come From Away is a triumph for Newfoundland, and perhaps surprisingly, also for New Brunswick.

In a world filled with self-interest, hatred, greed and billionaire-worship, Come From Away is a wonderful interlude of kindness, generosity, modesty, joie-de- vivre and deep artistic talent.

This was not the Broadway production. It was at the impressive Kira amphitheatre in Saint Andrews, N.B. with an almost completely all-New Brunswick cast.

Thunderstorms had hit the local area earlier in the day and it appeared that the evening show on August 30 could not go ahead. But then, by a miraculous transformation, the heavens cleared, and the show was on with a lucky double rainbow overhead.

Just about everyone knows the real events on which Come From Away is based. The 911 attacks in New York had occurred and all flights were grounded. As the first available airport in North America, flights from Europe and beyond were obliged to land in Gander, Newfoundland and there the hearts and homes of the citizens of this small community opened, along with every available school, community centre and warehouse. Everything from food to diapers were provided to passengers, with no one holding out a hand for money.

Setting the mood, the packed audience at Kira was serenaded with the familiar refrains of the Nfld. band Great Big Sea. All hands were on deck, including Brad Henderson, Managing Director of Kingsbrae Gardens and former Mayor of Saint Andrews, who was squeegeeing the stage after the recent rain.

The performance began with an emotional and fast-paced number, the actors successfully speaking and singing with authentic Newfoundland accents, despite the fact that no members of the cast are Newfoundlanders.

Despite the current strained relations between the United States and Canada, there was not a flag in sight, whether the Red and White Maple Leaf or the American Stars and Stripes. This helped to take the edge off the whole evening.

The only geographical identifiers evident on the set were four aged license plates of Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.

Beautifully and imaginatively choreographed by Sydney Hallett, the production was beautifully choreographed, with a simple set including, chairs, tables arranged and rearranged in simple formations depicting airline seating, a bar or a kitchen.

The anchor on the stage was Jeff McAloon, a native of Saint John, N.B., playing the part of the exuberant Mayor of Gander, urging his townspeople to flourish in their role as generous donors to the stranded passengers.

The strong singing performances included Megan Fowlie in her role, among others, as the main airline captain, and Tracy Ross as Hannah and others. With the benefit of minimal costume changes, shirts and scarves all the actors took on multiple roles.

Charlotte County’s own Caroline Coon played the part of Annette and others very well.

There were also distinctive cameos such as James Smith, the dynamic sombrero-sporting dancer, jilted gay lover and the second, very awkward, airline pilot.

Besides the main theme of the hospitable people on the isolate, most easterly “edge” of North America, there were other sensitive cultural themes, such as the gradually-eroded isolation of both Jewish and Palestinian passengers.

Because of the involvement of high-jacking pilots from predominantly Arab countries crashing jet liners into Manhattan skyscrapers, airline passengers in Gander and local townspeople at first viewed Nathanael Telman with suspicion, in his role as Ali.  However, as the musical progressed Ali won his way into their hearts with his experience in the restaurant business, preparing food for all.

The impact of the creative team on this wonderful production, was huge, with Courtney LePage, originally from Orlando, Fl, serving as director, and Tony LePage, a native New Brunswicker, co-director, and as an actor as Kevin T. and other parts. Hometown Fredericton, boy, Mike Doherty served as Music Director and instrumentalist, and John Leroux, also from Fredericton, as set designer. The back-up crew from Kira and Kingbrae Gardens were stalwart
Lastly, the essential drive and determination of Lucinda Flemer as the founder and inspiration for Kira and Kingsbrae must be remembered.
  
The booming thunder and lightning storm earlier in the day was only exceeded by the thunderous standing ovation at the end of the triumphant Come From Away performance that Saturday evening.