Come From Away at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater is a 2017 musical, with the book, music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein. It is based on the events in the Newfoundland town of Gander during the week following the September 11 attacks, when 39 planes carrying approximately 7,000 passengers, were ordered to land unexpectedly at Gander International Airport. This influx of passengers into Gander effectively doubled the population of the town.
Passengers were exhausted and many had been in the air for over 24 hours. Cell phone were rare back then and so one were fully aware of what had happened in America on that fateful day. Residents of Gander pulled together to house and feed so many passengers who ultimately stayed in the town for five days. All air traffic had been shut down.
The characters in the musical are based on hundreds of interviews with actual Gander residents and the stranded travelers they housed and fed. The funniest line in the show has to be the Gander check out girl at Walmart who said to a passenger, “Welcome to Walmart, would you like to come to my place for a shower?”
The show is so heartwarming. Amongst the chaos, friendships and love blossomed. On the other hand, one passenger was Muslim and he was treated as suspect and strip searched. Hatred and animosity for others began on 9-11 and continue today.
Working on the poster for this show was a challenge. I did so many versions that incorporated planes and attempted to show the open arms of the Gander residents welcoming the passengers yet it is challenging to pull off visually. After several approval sessions where I knew I needed to find a new direction, I finally settled on the symbol I had seen so often in Orlando after the Pulse Nightclub Massacre. That symbol was two hands making the heart sign. I simply took that idea and added multiple hands making the symbol. This demonstrated what the show was truly about which is empathy, supporting one another and love.The show demonstrates what a community can accomplish when they pull together. These themes are so important now in America which has lost its way, favoring suspicion, anger and hatred.
You need to see this show. It will move you to tears and ultimately uplift you. I cannot recommend the show enough. I fell in love with every passenger and the townspeople who threw their doors open.
Come From Away
Margeson Theater 812 East Rollins Street Fl 32803
August 26 to September 27, 2026
Tickets range from $55 to $69