Nashville Repertory Theatre
— presents —
Come From Away
Book, Music and Lyrics by Irene Sankoff & David Hein
Through Sunday, Sept. 21
TPAC’s Polk Theater
TICKETS
Directed by Leah Lowe
Music Direction by Sarah Michele Bailey
Choreography by Joi Ware
Scenic Design by Gary C. Hoff
Costumes, Hair & Makeup by Melissa K. Durmon
Lighting by Dalton Hamilton
Sound by Mark Zuckerman
At first glance, Come From Away might not sound like the kind of musical you’d rush to see. A show set in the aftermath of 9/11? With songs? Based on real events? I don’t know you might say, sounds kind of intense to me. But this isn’t a heavy-handed history lesson. It’s a profoundly uplifting, funny, and deeply human story that’s perfect for parents and older kids looking for a meaningful night out.
Nashville Rep’s “Come From Away”
A Story of Kindness in Crisis
Come From Away tells the remarkable true story of how the small town of Gander, Newfoundland (population: around 9,000), sprang into action when 38 planes carrying nearly 7,000 passengers were forced to land there after U.S. airspace was closed on September 11, 2001.
Without warning, the town nearly doubles in size — and instead of panicking or shutting down, the people of Gander open their homes, schools, churches, and hearts. They cook, comfort, hug, cry, and laugh with complete strangers from around the world.
For some 90 minutes (without intermission), Come From Away immerses you in that whirlwind of generosity and unexpected connection. And while the story is rooted in a moment of tragedy, the show itself is anything but grim. It’s filled with music, humor, warmth, and hope — everything you’d want in a night out that stays with you long after the curtain falls.
More Relevant Now Than Ever
Theater is often about timing — and Come From Away couldn’t be more timely. In a world still grappling with division, displacement, and fear of the “other,” this show offers a refreshing reminder of what’s possible when people choose compassion over suspicion.
Nashville Rep’s “Come From Away”
Today, with headlines heavy and hope sometimes in short supply, a story about strangers coming together to care for each other feels almost utopian — in the best way.
Smart, Sincere, and Surprisingly Funny
Don’t let the premise fool you: Come From Away is smarter and funnier than it first appears. Yes, it opens with high-energy folk music and strong accents as the townspeople sing about their rugged island pride (“They say no man is an island, but an island makes a man”). It might feel a little over-the-top at first — but give it a minute.
What unfolds is a fast-paced, balanced story, shaped from real interviews with the people who lived it. It handles complex, emotional material with respect and honesty — without turning into a tear-jerking melodrama. In fact, one of the most touching lines comes from a Walmart employee, who cheerfully tells a stranded passenger: “Thank you for coming to Walmart. Would you like to come back to my house for a shower?”
That kind of spontaneous generosity is what makes this story so special — and so believable.
The performers — who include the appealing Garris Wimmer, Carrie Tillis, Melissa Steadman and 12 others, come in all shapes and sizes and skin tones and all play multiple roles. As directed energetically by Leah Lowe, the ensemble works hard to rearrange chairs and tables for various scenes that include an airplane, a school, a cafe. They are challenged by enunciation and choreography, rapidity and pathos but somehow they all manage to pull it off, bringing laughs and heartaches, too.
A Rare Gift Today
What makes Come From Away such a gift is that it manages to be emotional without being manipulative, funny without being flippant. It doesn’t rely on flashy effects. Instead, it leans into the power of storytelling — real people, doing extraordinary things in an extraordinary time.
It reminds us — and maybe teaches our kids — that kindness, courage, and community are still alive and well. Sometimes, they’re just hiding in a tiny airport town on an island most of us couldn’t find on a map.
So if you’re looking for a night out that will reset your heart, leave you uplifted, and maybe even a little inspired to do some good in the world — Come From Away might be exactly the show you didn’t know you needed.
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