As the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 approaches, Orlando Shakes is staging Come From Away to highlight the enduring themes of empathy, resilience and community.

As the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks approaches this fall, communities across the country will commemorate the anniversary with memorials and tributes. In Orlando, one of the more unique observances comes from Orlando Shakes, which will present the Tony Award-winning musical Come From Away Wednesdays through Sundays from Aug. 26 to Sept. 27, including a special performance on Sept. 11.

The musical tells the true story of 7,000 airline passengers who unexpectedly became stranded in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland after all air traffic was diverted from the United States following the attacks. While the story does not focus on the attacks themselves, it emphasizes themes of resilience, compassion and the power of community, celebrating the kindness strangers showed one another during an unimaginable tragedy.

“We often do one big musical in our season, and this fall is the 25th anniversary of the tragedy. And we thought, if we were ever going to do this musical, we should do it to commemorate the 25th anniversary, perform on Sept. 11 and do a fundraiser for first responders, which we’re doing. It will benefit the Orlando Fire Department and Orlando Fire Museum,” says Artistic Director Jim Helsinger. 

Although the musical premiered in 2013 and spent three years on Broadway from 2017 until 2020 when it closed due to the pandemic, the production at Orlando Shakes will offer audiences a different experience than most performances. Unlike traditional productions staged in proscenium theaters, where audiences are often 100 to 200 feet from the stage in a 3,000 seat theater, Orlando Shakes’ Margeson Theater features a deep thrust stage with many fewer seats. This layout brings the audience much closer to the actors, creating a more intimate and immersive theatrical experience.

“We only have 319 seats, so it’s very intimate. You don’t come see Come From Away, you become a part of Come From Away. No audience member is very far away and there’s a big revolve in the middle of the stage that spins around with all the actors on it. … You’ll be much closer and feel like you’re a part of the action in a way that you just never will in a Broadway-style house,” says Helsinger.

Come From Away is not the only way Orlando Shakes will be honoring the legacy of the 9/11 tragedies, as they will also have a rental group performing The Guys, a play focused on the aftermath of the attacks in New York City, with a post-show discussion with the Orlando Fire Department following the performance. 

Still, Come From Away serves as the theater’s mainstage musical because of its uplifting message. Helsinger says its message feels especially relevant today.

“When we look at the news today, it’s often depressing and distancing about war and disagreement, be that political or social. This [story] is how neighbors help neighbors, even ones they don’t know. This is about how ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference. This is a story where characters choose compassion over fear, they choose generosity over inconvenience … Its message is an uplifting story about humanity, and it’s a show that families can really experience together,” says Helsinger.

Beyond its message of compassion, the musical also introduces younger audiences to the true stories of Sept. 11. Teachers from across Central Florida have scheduled student matinees, and families are encouraged to experience the production together.

“It’s very personal to a lot of people. So it’s a real chance for parents and families to have a meaningful conversation about what it is and what it meant, and what kindness and empathy in the face of tragedy means. I think it’s something that can stay with families long after they leave the theater,” says Helsinger.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater
Orlando
(407) 447-1700
OrlandoShakes.org