By Sara Atencio-Gonzales, The Paper. – 25 years after the Sept. 11 attacks, Musical Theatre Southwest is bringing Come From Away to Albuquerque with a story that focuses less on tragedy and more on what happened when strangers chose to help one another.
The Tony Award-winning musical, written by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, follows the true story of thousands of airline passengers diverted to Gander, Newfoundland, after U.S. airspace closed on Sept. 11, 2001. Residents opened their homes and community spaces to travelers from around the world.
“This isn’t really a musical about September 11, it’s about how strangers helped each other in the aftermath of that tragic day,” says Alessandra Camerlingo, public relations representative for Musical Theatre Southwest. “It is ultimately a story about strangers becoming a community and about ordinary people who chose to take care of one another when the world suddenly became frightening and uncertain.”
For actor Jessica Haynes, who plays Crystal and other characters in the ensemble, joining the production was an opportunity she had hoped for.“I felt like it was a lifetime opportunity to get to do this show,” says Haynes. “I have loved the show since it first came out.”
Haynes researched Crystal, a Tim Hortons employee who became a welcoming face for the unexpected visitors. Like the rest of the cast, Haynes also switches between multiple characters throughout the show, something she says “definitely keeps you on your toes.”
That ensemble structure was also part of what excited actor Mary-Ellin Brooks, who plays Hannah O’Rourke as her primary character. Brooks explains that the production differs from a traditional musical because there is no single lead.
“It’s really everybody, literally and figuratively and as part of the story, working together,” says Brooks.
To prepare for Hannah, Brooks watched interviews and read The Day the World Came to Town, which gave her more background on the real people portrayed in the musical. Hannah’s son, a New York City firefighter, was killed when the North Tower collapsed.
Brooks emphasizes that the musical is more than a September 11 story. “It’s really kind of a September 12 story, and it’s about community and coming together and supporting each other,” says Brooks.
The show’s message of community is also carried through its music and movement. Brooks said she is especially excited for audiences to see how choreographer Anne Marie Garcia uses recurring movements to connect moments throughout the production.
“There are certain moves that I’m excited for the audience to see,” Brooks said. “Like, ‘Oh, this is going to come back here,’ or ‘This ties to that lyric or that piece of melody.’”
But for Haynes, what she most wants audiences to experience goes beyond any individual scene. “I think just sharing that beauty of humanity with people is what I’m most excited for people to see,” says Haynes.
That message is also what Camerlingo hopes stays with audiences after the show, especially as the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 provides an opportunity to revisit the story.
“We hope that people will feel inspired to be a helper and a good neighbor, even when the person who needs you is a complete stranger,” says Camerlingo.
Musical Theatre Southwest will present Come From Away Sept. 4 through 13 at Keshet Dance Center for the Arts (4121 Cutler Ave. NE). Tickets are available through Musical Theatre Southwest at mtsabq.org, with discounted tickets available for seniors, military members and students.
If you go…
Come From Away
- Sep. 4 through 13
- Keshet Dance Center for the Arts (4121 Cutler Ave. NE)
- Tickets available at mtsabq.org