Theater Review: "Come From Away" tour at the Bushnell

"Welcome to the Rock"

“Come From Away” is indeed “the remarkable true story” that takes audiences into the heart of a small town in Newfoundland on the morning of 9/11 and the days following when the residents welcomed 7,000 stranded passengers. The musical depicts how in a time of such tragedy, the kindness of the human spirit was most evident and life-long friendships resulted.

The book, music and lyrics were written by the team of Irene Sankoff and David Hein. The mix of dialogue and musical numbers are balanced between the heartwrenching details of the 9/11 story and comedic touches designed to lighten the performance. Just when I begin to tear up as I remember the tragedy that unfolded that terrible day, a lighter moment appears. Overall, despite the subject matter that many of us will never forget, this is a joyous performance that I could enjoy over and over.

From the opening strains of beautiful hormones in “Welcome to the Rock” to “Somewhere in the Middle of Nowhere” and the touching “Finale,” this is wonderful music to enjoy performed by a group of talented musicians seated on the stage. My favorite numbers allow the musicians to become part of the scene. Beverly and the female company members make the most of the familiar “Me and the Sky” and the heartfelt blending of religions of the world in “Prayer,” which includes “Prayer of St. Francis” and “Osseh Shalom.”

Kristen Peace reprises her role as Bonnie and others after completing her Toronto run. Harter Clingman portrays Oz and others; the actor had the chance to perform this story in concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Marika Aubrey, originally from Australia and she appeared on Broadway in “Come From Away,” stands out in the role of the airplane captain Beverly and others. Julia Knitel plays the role of Janice and others. James Earl Jones II (National tour of “Porgy and Bess”) covers the role of Bob and others. Kevin Carolan, who played Gov. Roosevelt in “Newsies,” portrays Claude and others.

Jeremy Woodard plays Kevin T, Garth and others. James Kall, who was part of this show in Toronto and holds an M.F.A. from Yale, is Nick/Doug and others. Ali Momen, with both theater and television credits, plays the other Kevin, Ali and others. Danielle K. Thomas (“Avenue Q”) shines in the role of Hannah and others, Julie Johnson (the voice of Baby Bop on “Barney and Friends”) is a delight in the role of Gander resident Beulah and others. Tony and Obie Award honored actor, playwright, director and advocate for inclusion Christine Toy Johnson plays the traveler Diane and others.

There are six standbys in the cast in case there is illness in the cast.

The touring company production is directed by Christopher Ashley, with divine musical staging by Kelly Devine and music supervision by Ian Eisendrath. The performance is presented without an intermission and yet the time flies by.

The open scenic design by Beowulf allows for the actors to transform it into several locations, including the grounded airplane, using many mismatched wooden chairs. There is a rotating section of the stage that is not overused so it is effective when the actors are upon it. Costumes designed by Toni-Leslie James are contemporary and add-ons allow the actors to switch characters quickly. The imaginative lighting design focuses on the important aspects of the scene.

The musicians are much more a part of the show than in most musicals. Cameron Moncur, the music director and conductor of the band, plays keyboard, accordion and harmonium. Isaac Alderson plays whistles, Irish flute, and pipes. Kiana June Weber plays a mean fiddle and Sean Rubin covers both electric and acoustic bass. Steve Holloway plays bodhran and percussion and Ben Morrow plays drums and percussion.

From my view, guitarist Billy Bivona was hidden behind a trunk of the scenery trees at the beginning of the performance. I had seen his hands arranging his guitars before the performance began and I hoped that at least I could pick him out at the curtain call.

What I forgot was that many of the musicians get to come forward and be a part of the action for one number in “Come From Away,” and perform as a group after the actors take their bows. Bivona performed wonderfully on his acoustic guitar at both of these segments, and played an electric guitar that I could pick out other times. It is not often that I am able to hear the work of a musician that I had interviewed prior to the performance.

I reserve the phrase “a must-see” for the best of the best, but I would gladly have returned to Hartford to catch the next evening’s performance. This show is almost overwhelmingly good and should not be missed, even for those who have seen it before.

Make sure you see it before it's gone on December 24! Tickets: https://bit.ly/3hHncoC

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. She recently became a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column and theatre reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

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