Student Blog: 'Come From Away' - An Emotional Must See

It had been over two years since the last time I saw a show on Broadway. A few months before the pandemic started, I was lucky enough to see Frozen which eventually closed shortly after Broadway shutdown, but I never expected to have to wait so long to see another musical on one of the iconic stages in New York City.

But, on December 17, my best friend and I were in the audience for a Friday night performance of Come From Away. The trip was spontaneous and we were both very excited to see the show considering Broadway had been closed for quite some time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And everything about this production blew me away for so many reasons.

Prior to seeing this show live, I had heard the soundtrack and was familiar with the remarkable story which was the focus of the entire plotline and corresponding music. As someone who was only a year and a half old when 9/11 happened, I have no memory of the tragic events and have only learned about what occurred that fateful day through others. The story about the diverted planes landing in Gander, Newfoundland, Canada was not something I was even aware of until Come From Away opened on Broadway a few years ago. But since then, I have been hoping to see the show one day.

And I was not disappointed. Not one bit.

Typically, the shows I have seen in the past were more flashy and a much bigger production that was well-known for one reason or another. But Come From Away was the complete opposite. The production didn't have an intermission due to the run time being just over an hour and a half and the moment I sat down in Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, I noticed how minimal the set was. These elements only added to the overall experience of the show.

Everything about Come From Away was stunning. From the music to the stage design, transition between scenes or characters and the heartwarming story, this show was beyond incredible. There was so much to love and I truly adored everything about this musical from the moment it began to the very end. I cried, laughed and realized how that terrible day in American history affected so many other people and how their stories are often forgotten. It's a show that's easy to fall in love with and should be seen by everyone because the emotions are raw, the talent is immense and it's a story that deserves to be told and change our lives as it did for those individuals twenty years ago.

As someone who thoroughly enjoys Broadway and theater in its entirety, Come From Away was the perfect show in every possible way. The production touched on countless emotions while still being visually and musically stunning in telling the important story. If you're not someone who likes big, flashy musicals, Come From Away is definitely the one you should see because it is the opposite, but just as amazing. I honestly can't say enough good things about the show and it's a favorite for sure.

So if you're looking for a little escape on Broadway with a story that tugs on your heartstrings, make sure you're at Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre to travel to Gander, Newfoundland and enjoy everything that is Come From Away.

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