Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
July 31, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Music Box • Musical

Come From Away

"Come From Away" is a musical with book, music, and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein.

Updated July 31, 20261 min readCited sources

"Come From Away" is a musical based on true events in Gander, Newfoundland, after the September 11, 2001 attacks. It tells the story of how residents welcomed thousands of stranded air travellers.

What it is

"Come From Away" is a musical with book, music, and lyrics by Canadian married couple Irene Sankoff and David Hein. It centers on 38 planes diverted to Gander when U.S. airspace was closed after 9/11. Characters are based on real residents and travellers.

Why it matters

The musical highlights hospitality, resilience, and community spirit. It won the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical and received seven Tony nominations. It is a notable Canadian theatrical success, created by Canadian writers and set in Newfoundland.

Key details

The show premiered at La Jolla Playhouse in 2015 and opened on Broadway in 2017. Christopher Ashley directed the production. It is widely praised for its moving true story and has become a celebrated work in Canada.

In short

  • Inspired by true events in Gander, Newfoundland after 9/11
  • Created by Canadian writers Irene Sankoff and David Hein
  • Won Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical
  • Premiered in 2015 and opened on Broadway in 2017
Canadian angle

"Come From Away" is strongly connected to Canada because it is set in Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, and it was created by Canadian writers Irene Sankoff and David Hein. For Canadian readers, it is a well-known work about Newfoundland hospitality and a notable Canadian theatrical success.

Quick questions

What is "Come From Away" about?
It tells the true story of how Gander, Newfoundland, welcomed diverted air travellers in the days after September 11, 2001.
Who created "Come From Away"?
The musical was written by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, who provided the book, music, and lyrics.
Is "Come From Away" based on a true story?
Yes. It is based on the real experiences of residents of Gander and the stranded passengers they sheltered after 9/11.

Sources

  1. TheaterMania — https://www.theatermania.com/news/5-facts-about-broadways-come-from-away_1749745/
    Supports: Premiere at La Jolla Playhouse in 2015; Broadway premiere in 2017; 38 planes diverted to Gander; Tony nominations and Christopher Ashley's directing award.
  2. Segerstrom Center for the Arts — https://www.scfta.org/discover-watch-listen/articles/_/story-behind-come-from-away
    Supports: Based on real events in Gander, Newfoundland, following the September 11 attacks.
  3. LondonTheatre.co.uk — https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-come-from-away-in-london
    Supports: Written by Irene Sankoff and David Hein; set after the 9/11 attacks; based on real stories of stranded travellers and Gander residents.
  4. New York Theatre Guide — https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-come-from-away-on-broadway
    Supports: Plot context, 38 diverted planes, creators, running time, Tony recognition, and production details.
  5. Time — https://www.time.com/4703321/come-from-away-musical-review/
    Supports: Canadian creators, La Jolla premiere in 2015, and development based on interviews in Gander.
  6. Official site — https://comefromaway.com/about.php
    Supports: Official description of the musical as the story of stranded passengers and the town in Newfoundland that welcomed them.