By Jody Tuso-Key; Managing Editor

This weekend, the waiting ends—the much-anticipated regional premiere of City Springs Theatre Company’s COME FROM AWAY takes the stage, and it’s worth every second of the suspense. 

This musical is near and dear to my heart. I’ve seen it three times: first, in 2019 on the national tour at the Fabulous Fox Theatre (with a post-show talk-back featuring Beverley Bass, Kevin Tuerff, and Claude Elliott—the real people behind three of the characters). The second time, I actually won an essay contest hosted by the Broadway production celebrating its post-COVID comeback and got free tickets in February 2021. The third? Broadway, July 2022, just before the show’s October closing. And then, countless replays on Apple TV. Let’s just say at this point, I’m a certified COME FROM AWAY groupie—maybe even frequent flyer platinum status.

When City Springs Theatre Company announced it on their season list, I practically did a happy dance around my living room. All I hoped was that their version would keep the heart and humor of the original. With Shuler Hensley in the director’s chair, I wasn’t too worried—and after opening night, all I can say is, they didn’t just meet expectations; they moose-stomped right over them.

COME FROM AWAY is one of the most heartfelt, hopeful musicals in modern memory. Set in the days after September 11, it tells how the tiny town of Gander, Newfoundland, sprang into action when 38 planes carrying nearly 7,000 bewildered passengers were diverted there. Instead of focusing on tragedy, the show spotlights humanity—how humor, kindness, and a little Irish Whiskey can get us through anything.

A nimble cast of twelve morphs from “plane people” to townsfolk faster than you can say “Newfoundland.” The transitions are seamless, and the energy, electric. The folk-inspired score by Irene Sankoff and David Hein is part jig, part jet engine—the music moves with hearty rhythm and heartfelt soul. Songs like “Welcome to the Rock” and “Me and the Sky” practically vibrate in your bones.

Developed in 2013 at the Canadian Music Theatre Project, COME FROM AWAY traveled the festival-to-Broadway route—Goodspeed Musicals, La Jolla Playhouse, Seattle Rep, Ford’s Theatre—finally landing at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre in 2017. Seven Tony nominations, a handful of Drama Desk and Olivier Awards, and one global pandemic later, it became a filmed Broadway time capsule on Apple TV before closing in 2022. Now, City Springs brings the story full circle with its regional premiere—and it’s an absolute gem.

What makes COME FROM AWAY extraordinary isn’t its scale but its spirit. It’s funny, tender, and gloriously human—a masterclass in empathy wrapped in a foot-stomping folk tune. You walk in with tension; you walk out ten pounds lighter in the soul.

City Springs’ production honors every heartbeat of the original. Beowulf Boritt’s set practically mirrors Broadway’s, Holt McCarley leads the band like a Gaelic groove guru, and Alex Jacobs’ lighting with Anthony Narisco’s sound design make the whole thing shimmer like northern starlight.

The ensemble work is impeccable. Dialect coach Cara Reid deserves a Tony of her own for keeping all the accents straight. Director Shuler Hensley told me afterward that the cast is “as close as family,” and you can feel that kinship radiating from the stage like a warm Newfie hug.

As an animal lover, I was thrilled to see Bonnie—the fierce, funny SPCA worker tending to all the critters on board (including two Bonobo Chimps!)—played by Rhyn McLemore, one of my longtime local favorites. Fate seated me right next to her husband, Caleb Clark, which felt like an Easter egg from the theatre gods (he recently kept me in uproarious laughter in The Play That Goes Wrong at Aurora). Rhyn’s Bonnie balances grit, grace, and good humor—exactly how you care for chimps and chaos.

Lowery Brown brings sturdy warmth to Oz, Gander’s chief of police, plus half a dozen other characters. He’s got presence to spare and an accent for every occasion. 

Jonathan Ludwikowski’s Kevin T radiates sincerity, channeling the real-life Kevin Tuerff with lovely authenticity. Kevin’s book Channel of Peace: stranded in Gander on 9/11 is the original source material from which COME FROM AWAY is based.

Kate Fahrner absolutely soars as Captain Beverley Bass—the first female captain in American Airlines history—with a “Me and the Sky” that rings clear, confident, and country-sweet. Bonus news: the real Beverley Bass will be at the Byers Theatre after City Dprings Theatre Company’s matinee performance on March 15th for a talkback.

Shena Renee brings depth and heart as Hannah, the firefighter’s mother whose grief and grace thread through the show. She has the perfect voice for the part, blending tenderness with tension.

John Scherer’s Claude—a mighty presence as Gander’s mayor—keeps everything grounded in good humor. 

Nasir Ali Panjwani plays Kevin J. and Ali, the Egyptian Muslim chef whose kindness transcends the hurt of suspicion. Both characters navigate prejudice and acceptance with touching sincerity.

The rest of the cast? Every one a keeper. Megan K. Hill charms as Janice Mosher, the plucky brand new reporter chronicling chaos with heartfelt empathy; the sweet and unlikely couple of Diane (Deborah Bowman) and Nick (Steve Hudson) prove that love can develop in the most unlikely circumstances; Kyle Robert Carter’s Bob—the skeptical New Yorker softened by Gander’s generosity—is perfectly pitched; and Courtenay Collins as Beulah, the school principal hosting hundreds, hits every emotional note with warmth and wisdom. As an educator myself, she tugged hard at my heartstrings.

If you’ve never seen COME FROM AWAY, pack tissues and a smile. It’s a full emotional buffet: laughter, tears, gratitude—all served with Newfoundland hospitality. My personal heartbreaker is always the song “Prayer,” where St. Francis, Judaism, Islam, and Hindu hymns weave into one glorious global chorus. When my dad was crossing over, he described hearing a “Fish Choir”—every faith singing its own song until the music blended into one heavenly harmony. That’s COME FROM AWAY. That’s the point.

Playing at Byers Theatre through March 29th, this show is an absolute Speakeysie HOT TICKET. Nearly sold out, so don’t dither or dawdle—get your seats at cityspringstheatre.com before they fly away for good.

COME FROM AWAY plays at the Byers Theater until Saturday, March 29th. Tickets are available at cityspringstheatre.com 

Peace be with you and as always, thanks for your readership!

Bonus: Here’ s link to the article I wrote about the Fox Theater talkback in 2019 https://www.broadwayworld.com/atlanta/article/COME-FROM-AWAY-Opening-Night-in-Atlanta-Includes-Fascinating-Talk-Back-20190701

Written by Josephine Tuso-Key,

Editor-in-Chief of speakeysie.com and former contributing arts journalist for broadwayworld.com.

Tuso-Key’s theatre reviews blend heart, humor, and local flair—because in her world, the spotlight should always shine on community.