I take strong issue with Marion Umpleby”s review of “Come From Away,” the current production at Northern Stage. The play/musical is a reflection on the extraordinary event of how people in Newfoundland helped over 7,000 people who unexpectedly had to land in Gandor on 9/11.
The entire musical is based on fact. Each vignette is true and true to the people involved. As for conflict, there is plenty, privately and socially. It would have been false to add an overriding event when in fact there was so much tension already.
I knew about the story. What I didn’t know were the subtleties; what people, both in Newfoundland, and the passengers, experienced and felt. Many obstacles provided tension; lifestyles, language, cultural biases, resources, expectations, not to mention sheer logistics. For example, it hadn’t occurred to me that they would have to deal with pets on board the planes; their fear, waste, water, food, medications, etc..
So, for me, the experience was challenging, provocative, complete and joyful. It didn’t need any artificial interpretation or story line.