By: Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Chatham Voice
There’s going to be one heckuva shed party at Chatham’s Capitol Theatre this November.
That’s when Theatre Kent will stage the popular musical “Come From Away,” telling the story of what happened in Gander, Nfld. on Sept. 11, 2001, when terrorists hit New York’s World Trade Centre with hijacked airplanes.
In the wake of the emergency, America’s airspace was closed. And that’s when Gander’s townspeople embraced thousands of passengers from 38 planes – nearly doubling its population to 14,000 overnight.
According to play director Brock Mackenzie, Come From Away exemplifies the Canadian spirit and helpful nature of Newfoundlanders in a time of crisis.
“For our show, we’re really leaning in to that Newfoundlander mentality,” he said. “They are very much a special group of people – they’ll give you the shirt off their back if they could.”
Mackenzie said the show transpires in a traditional Newfoundlander shed party, also known as a ” cèilidh” or Maritime kitchen party.
“Our story takes place out in front of the shed,” he added. “It’s an enjoyable show and it moves quickly. There’s singing and dancing – it’s a musical.”
Mackenzie, a local elementary school teacher, said the response to the play has been “crazy to say the least,” especially at a time when Canada-U.S. relations are being tested.
“People are really taking this show as their own as Canadians,” he said. “People want to hear the story. Canadians see it as their story, especially Newfoundlanders. It’s a shared story with the States, which is important right now.”
Come From Away features an ensemble cast. There are 26 cast members, eight band members and nine people in the production team including choreographer Megan Canniff and musical director Jeremy Zimmer.
“That’s what’s great about a musical. It gives so many opportunities for people to come and be a part of community theatre, which I think is just awesome,” Mackenzie said. “It’s great to be part of a team and work toward a common goal.”
Written by husband-and-wife team Irene Sankoff and David Hein, the musical has been staged around the world, including a five-year run on Broadway from 2017 to 2022. Amateur rights to the play were made available in 2026 to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the crisis.
Theatre Kent president Linda Schinkel said Come From Away builds on the momentum of the past two successful seasons with Jesus Christ Superstar in 2024, and last year’s Cats, and it’s heads to its 50th anniversary in 2028.
“We’re seeing an extraordinary response to Come From Away,” Schinkel said in a media statement. “There is clearly an appetite in Chatham-Kent for live theatre, and for gathering together to experience really wonderful stories.”
As of press time, 75 per cent of tickets have been sold. The show runs Nov. 12 and 13 at 7:30 p.m.; and sees two performances on Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.