One of the most affecting stories to come from the terror attacks of September 11, 2001 – one that instills a faith in humanity in spite of the horrifying events of that day – was about the generosity of the residents of a small Canadian town towards several thousand stranded, anxious travelers.In the wake of the attacks, the Federal Aviation Administration grounded all air traffic, forcing 38 international flights headed to the United States to land at an airport in Newfoundland near the small town of Gander.The locals responded to the emergency by providing aid and comfort to seven thousand passengers and flight crew members, many desperate for news from home.
The locals' individual and collective acts of kindness became the basis of the acclaimed musical "Come From Away." With book, music and lyrics by the husband-and-wife team of Irene Sankoff and David Hein, the show features an ensemble cast of 12 actors playing all the characters, from the "plane people" stranded on the island, to the Newfoundlanders who took them in.Sankoff and Hein conducted research while visiting Gander during the 10th-year reunion held in 2011.
With a book and lyrics taken from their interviews, and a score infused with folk music, "Come From Away" bowed in New York in March 2017, and went on to win three Drama Desk Awards (including outstanding musical and outstanding book of a musical) and a Tony Award (for best director).It played on Broadway for 5 1/2 years (with a break for COVID), and has been produced around the world ever since.
[A live capture of the show featuring the Broadway cast is currently available on Apple TV+.] Sankoff (a native of Ontario) and Hein (born in Saskatchewan) talked with "CBS Sunday Morning" about the origin of the show, and about the impact it has had on the people of Gander.Conception Sankoff and Hein, who were living in New York City in a residence for international students on September 11, 2001, said they were not aware...