Welcome to the Rock

Reviewed by Sandi Laird

Come From Away has been an international hit since its debut in 2015 and a source of pride for Canadians as a uniquely homegrown tale. In case you have been living under a rock, the small town of Gander, Newfoundland welcomed 38 planes and 7,000 passengers grounded due to the horrific events of September 11, 2001. It is a day that lives in history for Americans, Canadians, and people all over the world. Twenty-five years later, it is still vivid in our minds.

The people of Gander displayed warmth, empathy, love, and support to the thousands stranded in their midst. They are the neighbours we crave. The cast of twelve grab your attention the minute they take the stage. Their first song “Welcome to the Rock” sets the mood with the singular Newfoundland style of Celtic and seafaring song. The choreography is solid and rhythmic. The script is realistic, showing happy, sad, and poignant moments. Passengers are frightened and angry – feeling isolated from news and their loved ones. The people of Gander are facing an unimaginable challenge to feed, house, clothe and support the humans deboarding the planes, and the animals still on the planes. Lasting friendships are made and love and generosity abound.

The music will have you tapping your toes throughout. The talented musicians are behind the scenes but welcomed to the stage by cast and audience for a foot-stomping finale. The cast is truly an ensemble. Twelve souls playing multiple roles. Three voices do stand out:  Caitlin Stadnyk as Beverley the pilot and others (Stadnyk played the same role at Toronto’s Royal Alexandra Theatre); Divine Brown as Hannah and others; and Izad Etemadi as Kevin and others. These are strong voices leading a cast of good voices. No Newfoundland-based production would be complete without down east touches. It is fun watching passengers introduced to Screech, “kissing the cod” and watching a moose blocking the road as they try to get to their accommodations.

There are three particularly engaging story lines. Hannah from New York is desperate to get updates about her son who is a fire fighter in New York City. She is comforted by Beaulah, whose own son is a firefighter in the Gander area. Beverley, the America Airlines pilot, is worried for her passengers and the impact on the planes which can deteriorate if grounded too long without service. She is also watching for news of the pilots who flew the planes directly involved in the 9/11 incidents. And for the romantics, there is a heartwarming story about Nick from England and Diane from Texas falling in love.

The set is simple. Chairs and chairs and more chairs. They mounted all the way of the walls of the set, moved into plane and bus formations, used to as a resting place for the weary passengers, and as a setting for warm, sad, and practical conversations among the hosts and travellers. An opportunity for this production would be to improve the sound in the balcony, which is muffled at times.

So, grab your sou’wester and stomping boots and head for the Grand Theatre before May 31!

Come From Away continues at the Grand Theatre, Spriet Stage, London until May 31, 2026. Tickets are available at the Grand box office at 519-672-8800 or 1-800-265-1593 or visit www.grandtheatre.com

Photo: Come From Away cast. Photo by Dalhia Katz.

Come From Away
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein
Director – Julie Tomaino
Music director – Sarah Richardson
Choreographer – Nicol Spinola
Set Designer – Scott Penner
Costumes designer- Ming Wong
Lighting designer – Jareth Li
Sound designer – Brian Kenny
Performed by Darrin Baker, Divine Brown, Sheldon Elter, Izad Etemadi Joema Frith, Steven Gallagher, Kelly Holiff, Lori Nancy Kalamanski, Denise Oucharek, Darlene Spencer, Cailin Stadnyk, Alex Wierzbicko. Standbys – Andrew Hodwitz, Heather McGuigan, Travae Williams
Grand Theatre, Spriet Stage, 471 Richmond Street, London
April 28 to May 31, 2026
Reviewed by Sandi Laird