By AJ Jaffari

What happens when a small town is asked to hold the weight of the world?
Come From Away at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley reminds us of the extraordinary power of human kindness in the face of unimaginable tragedy. Centered around the events of September 11, 2001, the musical tells the true story of the town of Gander, Newfoundland, and the thousands of stranded passengers who found unexpected refuge there.

Through a seamless blend of storytelling and music, the show captures how strangers became neighbors, and how compassion can emerge even in the darkest of moments. TheatreWorks leans into the heart of the piece, honoring its original structure while creating an experience that feels immediate, grounded, and deeply moving.

Having seen the touring production before, I can confidently say this rendition completely blew it out of the water. It felt like a perfect fit for TheatreWorks, both in scale and execution. The pacing was superb, and the story unfolded with a clarity and momentum that kept me engaged from start to finish. In a show like this, where the emotional weight is shared across so many perspectives, it’s the collective storytelling that truly resonates—and this production handled that beautifully.

With an ensemble-driven piece like Come From Away, it’s nearly impossible to single out just a few performers, as the entire cast works so cohesively. That said, a few stood out to me in particular. Kaylee Ann (Janice/Others), whom I’ve had the pleasure of seeing several times on stage, brought a spark of youthful energy that was both charming and memorable. Alison Ewing (Diane/Others) delivered a performance full of warmth and sincerity that grounded many of her moments. And Adam Qutaishat (Kevin J./Others) added a strong presence that helped shape some of the show’s more emotionally complex beats. Still, this is truly a company effort—every performer contributed something meaningful, making the ensemble feel unified and incredibly strong. I also would like to give a special shoutout to several peers apart of the mighty understudy crew for this show, you guys rock!

From a production standpoint, TheatreWorks delivered across the board. Wilson Chin’s scenic design was both effective and visually engaging, allowing the story to move fluidly while still grounding us in each location. Pamila Gray’s lighting design added depth and atmosphere, subtly enhancing the emotional landscape of the piece. The pacing of the show was further elevated by Robert Kelley’s direction, which honored the original format while keeping everything sharp and intentional.

A special shoutout also goes to the incredible band, led by William Liberatore. The music in Come From Away is a driving force, and this group handled it with precision and energy, giving the show its heartbeat throughout.

Come From Away is a show that continues to resonate, and this production is a powerful reminder of why. If you have the chance to see it, don’t miss it—it’s truly something special.

Come From Away runs through May 10 and tickets are available here.