TheatreWorks’ “Come from Away” Is Well-Acted, Humorous, and Very Uplifting!
By Ron Friedenthal
Let’s imagine a musical, based on a true story, that celebrates kindness and charity toward distressed foreigners in a time of tragedy. At a moment in history when certain politicians are telling us to fear and reject immigrants, we're shown ordinary people in another country, who act spontaneously out of a concern for others. This describes TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s production of “Come From Away”, the story of the small Newfoundland town of Gander in the aftermath of 9/11. It is currently being performed through May 10, 2026 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts (500 Castro Street) in Mountain View, CA.
This TheatreWorks presentation is timely, well-acted, and uplifting. The story weaves moments of tragedy interspersed with humor in a fast-paced musical. The 7,000 airline passengers who spent time in Gander find both they and the town’s inhabitants relate to each other with kindness and concern. Prejudices melt away and they all get to know each other at a human level. The results are heartwarming!
The versatile actors seamlessly play a variety of roles as the story moves forward. Many in the cast return to TheatreWorks to play multiple roles in “Come From Away”, including Melissa WolfKlain, who takes on the role of pilot Beverley Bass, Heather Orth as Beulah, the head of the Gander Legion, Alison Ewing as divorcee Diane, Michael Gene Sullivan as an English oil engineer Nick, Monique Hafen Adams as no-nonsense mother Bonnie, Dawn L. Troupe as Hannah, the mother of a Manhattan firefighter, Colin Thomson as Gander’s mayor Claude, Christopher Reber as Oz, Gander’s quirky constable, Nick Nakashima as Kevin T., the head of an environmental energy company, and Anthone D. Jackson as hardened New Yorker Bob.
Adam Qutaishat makes his TheatreWorks debut as Kevin J., Kevin T.’s boyfriend, while Kaylee Ann makes her TheatreWorks main stage debut as TV reporter Janice.
“Come From Away” features music direction by William Liberatore, choreography by Alex Perez, scenic design by Wilson Chin, costume design by B. Modern, lighting design by Pamila Z. Gray, and sound design by Cliff Caruthers.