How Newfoundland shed a light in the darkness

The lovely, thrumming musical heartbeat throughout: Irish whistle, boxwood flute, Irish flute, with guitar, mandolin, bass, keyboard, fiddle and Irish bodhran drum. The cast of 12, who step in and out of different characters and accents, sing and dance without missing a beat.

(They must have rehearsed in their sleep. Probably mumbling lines walking to and from Bellport Village on their breaks.)

At a time when everything in the world seemed wrong, the Newfoundland citizens of Gander showed us there were still shining points of light to be had in humanity. Bellport’s Gateway Playhouse debuted “Come From Away” Friday night, a true story about a town tasked overnight with providing comfort to 7,000 stranded and bewildered international passengers whose 38 flights were in limbo when the Twin Towers were hit by terrorists during Sept. 11, 2001, as another was flown into the Pentagon, and one headed for the White House or U.S. Capitol was diverted and ended up crashing into an empty field in Pennsylvania. United States airspace was totally shut down.

It is a life-changing production with its actors and orchestra who step up, literally, to tell and sing the stories of the travelers and the Gander citizens in a five-day chronicle, Sept. 11 to Sept. 16, 2001, while changing roles seamlessly.

A big shout-out to director/choreographer Keith Andrews and assistant director/choreographer Regine Sophia for the rousing cardio routines integrating Irish jigs, jumping, turning, traveling, but also continuous changing placement. Portraying this story wasn’t easy, but the result is inspiring.

The moments that unfold include capable Beulah (Nicole Hale), who also plays the Hot Mess girl on the arriving American Airlines plane (her anxious version singing “My Heart Will Go On” is hilarious) and is a big comfort to Hanna (Renee Marie Titus), who is awaiting news of her son. Kevin J (Joe Rumi), the gay partner to Kevin T (Bart Mather), also plays the poignant Ali, the Egyptian Muslim eyed suspiciously who is in reality a top restaurant chef who wants to help in the kitchen but keeps getting turned down.

Characters voice angst sitting on a plane for 27 hours waiting to get off where Hot Mess comes in; the Gander SPCA manager (Michelle Cosentino) is concerned about the 19 animals in the cargo holds, including a Bonobo chimp about to give birth; the new Gander broadcast journalist Janice (Liv Kurtz) thrust into the spotlight is nervous; Gander’s mayor Claude (Darren Matthias) has to effectively mobilize his town (funny exchange with Bart Mather as Garth, the bus union rep); Diane from Texas (Jean McCormick), who meets Nick (Kent Lewis) from England in “do they, don’t they” moments. Oh my, so many stories told with fun, humor, poignancy, sadness. And different accents. Just brilliant.

And they sing. Together, gloriously, in 16 full-throated numbers.

Some gorgeous moments. The beautiful song based on the Prayer of St. Francis’s “Make Me A Channel of Your Peace,” when Gander residents observe a moment of silence, evolves into separate Jewish and Muslim prayer songs. The background projection emulates a sanctuary’s stained-glass window. It is beautiful and powerful.

In “Darkness and Trees,” the phrase from Philippians 4:6 is shown to a frightened couple from Africa, by Garth (Bart Mather again), the Gander bus driver.

Uncertain of where they are being taken and frightened of seeing police, Muhumuza (Jason Tyler Smith) and his wife cower on a Gander bus en route to lodging, clutching a Bible. Garth takes it and shows the passage, “Be anxious for nothing,” from Philippians 4:6. Wow!

Bob (Jason Tyler Smith again) is hilarious as the skeptical Black New Yorker who has to round up barbecue grills for a huge cookout by the mayor. Fearful he’ll get shot, he’s actually asked if he wants a cuppa by the first Gander neighbor he encounters; the wife has a kettle on, a repeat from others as he gathers them. The musicians, mostly onstage, interchange as characters and perform throughout with a thrilling folk/rock jam at the end to an already cheering crowd who cheered even more. They are Ryan O’Connell and Jake Turski on keys; Dylan DelGiudice on guitar; Anthony Galea on fiddle; Joe Loschiavo on mandolin, Ellen Redman, who plays three whistle instruments; Jas Rodriguez on bass; and Jared Shaw on drums. Kudos to music director/conductor O’Connell, associate conductor Turski and their fabulous orchestra.

Breakout songs include the rousing “Welcome to the Rock”; the glorious “Screech In”; where the plane passengers are invited to become honorary locals by kissing a cod while dancing to Celtic steps; and “Me and the Sky,” sung by Heidi Godt as Beverly, who reflects on her not-so-easy ascension as the first female American Airlines pilot—a glorious full-tilt belt out.

The love this town poured out to its bewildered guests was returned;: some people stayed in touch, some moved to Gander, and others came for a 10-year anniversary.

It is an amazingly told true story with a spirited cast and orchestra and received six 2017 Tony Award nominations and won for Best Direction of a Musical.

The set features over 15 old-growth trees with a backdrop, suggesting a forest on a stage with chairs and occasional tables. But your eyes will be on the amazing storytelling actors and their gifts. We are blessed with a winning production.

For tickets, visit www.thegateway.org.