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Gander's Kindness: A 9/11 Miracle Musical
6 Sep
Summary
- Canadian town Gander aided 7,000 stranded travelers post-9/11.
- The story inspired the award-winning musical 'Come From Away'.
- The musical is based on interviews with locals and passengers.
Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, Gander, Newfoundland, Canada, became an unexpected sanctuary for thousands of travelers. When U.S. airspace closed, 38 international flights diverted, landing approximately 7,000 passengers and crew in the small Canadian town.
The residents of Gander responded with extraordinary kindness, providing aid and comfort to the stranded individuals. This remarkable display of humanity in the face of tragedy inspired the award-winning musical "Come From Away." The musical, created by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, features a cast of 12 actors portraying both the "plane people" and the Newfoundlanders who welcomed them. Research for the show involved extensive interviews with those directly affected.
"Come From Away" premiered in New York in March 2017, earning critical acclaim including multiple Drama Desk Awards and a Tony Award. The production enjoyed a successful run on Broadway for over five years and has since been staged internationally. A live capture of the Broadway production is currently available on Apple TV+.
