Come From Away (NYC)

"'Come From Away,' the inspiring, funny and kick-ass beautiful new musical...takes a true story that began on September 11th, 2001, and tells it in an exhilarating fashion that celebrates decency and human kindness...Director Christopher Ashley's production seamlessly moves from tense moments to humorous ones to unabashedly joyous ones...As long as 'Come From Away' is playing on Broadway, I will recommend it to everyone. Everyone." Full Review

"The genius of this production, which I regard as the best new musical of the season, is that from the very beginning a skilled group of 12 actors thrillingly take on assorted roles and slip in and out of the characters in a free-flowing staging...The goodhearted nature of 'Come from Away' is at the forefront without being cloyingly sentimental...The show appeals to our finer qualities as human beings, and manages to be exuberantly entertaining at the same time." Full Review

"For once a 'feel-good' musical that also has depth and resonance! 'Come From Away' at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre takes on one of the darkest periods in our contemporary history and spins it into a goldmine of goodwill, compassion and gentle surprises." Full Review

"A brilliant achievement...The show makes you laugh and cry at the resiliency of the human spirit...The cast, all of whom play multiple roles, are quite simply fantastic. Christopher Ashley’s direction is letter-perfect, and Kelly Devine’s excellent musical staging includes a rousing opening sequence that helps to establish a small-town atmosphere for Gander. Alternatively funny and profoundly moving, 'Come From Away' is a brilliant example of all that musical theater can be." Full Review

“Brilliant…It is this show’s ability to surprise and touch even the most cynical, jaded New York theatergoer that makes it so unusual and emotionally powerful… In addition to the outstanding cast, expertly directed by Christopher Ashley, there is innovative choreography by Kelly Devine…A musical that celebrates and glorifies humanity…It’s a new type of never-before-seen, uncharted musical territory much like 'Hamilton' was, and should also make musical-theater history." Full Review

“It’s this truth that anchors ‘Come From Away,’ giving it a documentary-like power that is enhanced a thousand-fold by a driving musical score, the best ensemble acting you will see on any stage this season, and direction by Ashley that doesn’t deserve a Tony Award, it deserves a Nobel Prize…The result is a work that is, considering the events it depicts, restrained, delicate, and piercing…A cry-fest and an absolutely joyful expression of what is best in the human animal: compassion.” Full Review

"One of the triumphs is how it so incredibly captures the culture of Newfoundland. It's a Canadian/Irish blend that is unlike anything we've seen in theater, and everyone involved clearly went above and beyond to accurately reflect the area. The score and book, by the married couple Irene Sankoff & David Hein, sounds authentic...What makes ‘Come From Away’ work is that it displays the exceptional generosity of humanity that took place in Newfoundland. This brings to Broadway a story of hope." Full Review

"This feel-good musical is infectious, enchanting and just what this country needs right now...Director Christopher Ashley and his amazing 12-member cast recreate the story...Each have their moment to shine but they are a true ensemble...It is hard not to be moved. Even as I am writing this I find myself choking up...'Come From Away' is tuneful, smart and heartfelt, and is sure to have you leaving the theatre feeling just a little bit more positive than when you entered." Full Review

"The beautifully crafted musical leaves us not just feeling good, we’re transported on a wave of hope for humanity...A huge bravo to director Ashley who masterfully orchestrated the complex work...Sankoff and Hein created this wonderful work with a moving score that's both melodic and rousing...Every member of this extraordinary collaboration deserves the highest praise. With great warmth and humor, 'Come From Away' is a soul-stirring antidote to the terrors we face near and far." Full Review

"The book, music and lyrics are the inspired work of Irene Sankoff and David Hein. With a cast of 12 backed by eight musicians, the production, for a Broadway musical, is relatively small-scale...But all of it is managed with big-time ingenuity by director Ashley...Story theatre techniques are used to the nth degree. The performers switch characters, from townspeople to passengers and back again...There are indeed a lot of upbeat goings-on...But the darker side of the events is hardly ignored." Full Review

"Should warm the heart of even the world’s worst cynic. But the musical, directed by Christopher Ashley, has much more to praise. First there’s Sankoff and Hein’s spirited score, driving, buoyant and often tuneful, with an appropriately Celtic undertone...Then there’s the tremendous acting of the 12-member ensemble...It is a musical about people who do their best in the worst of times. And for this we can only say thank you." Full Review

"There are 10 new titles debuting across the year, but 'Come from Away' towers over the rest in terms of originality and daring...Sankoff and Hein's folk-based score has an easy affability and an earnest sincerity. Christopher Ashley's production gives the show a homespun honesty, and the 12-strong ensemble company, each of whom plays multiple characters, invest it with real feeling and emotion...A musical that tells an unusual, unfamiliar 9/11 story with tact and tremendous feeling." Full Review

"Why do you go to theater? Because it’s entertaining and fun. Because it opens your heart, teaches life lessons and transports you to another time, another place. Because, occasionally, it conveys the essential goodness and resiliency of the human spirit at the same, shared moment in time. That’s why I stood up and cheered...Director Ashley cleverly utilizes his talented cast of 12...The crowd-pleasing performance fittingly concludes on a life-affirming note." Full Review

“Rarely has altruism and compassion been as deeply explored and conveyed, much less in a hundred-minute musical...Music and lyrics mesh seamlessly, as the portrayals switch on a dime from townspeople to passengers and back again…A uniformly excellent cast…The show is in constant motion, with locations evoked by simple shifts in alignment of chairs. You’re never in doubt about where you are, and for the duration of ‘Come from Away’ you wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.” Full Review

"Will make you laugh and cry and restore your faith in humanity...This Canadian export, written by the husband and wife team of Irene Sankoff and David Hein, and directed by Christopher Ashley, comes at a time when divisiveness is far more prevalent than inclusivity, where countries talk about building walls rather than building bridges...It’s one you won’t want to miss. If you see just one show on Broadway this season, this should be it." Full Review

"This show has gorgeous music and lyrics. It is the CD I can’t wait to own...This show is entertaining, uplifting and sweet. It was the perfect afternoon out and a show you can’t help but love. I was tapping my feet to the fantastic Celtic rock music, and I had the best time. It is a must see...This show is very moving, and you might need tissues!" Full Review

“Despite that it is really just an excellent off-Broadway musical trying to make it in the big-time world of Broadway, it’s pretty darned good with some excellent music and a great cast of unknowns…The music...is catchy and memorable and the ensemble cast who perform all the numbers are all incredibly talented…An excellent musical…A must small-time see." Full Review

"It is a refreshing, warm, and very humane tale that attends to the lump that will be in your throat, and the tears of love and compassion that will run down your cheeks, by also putting a big grin on your face...This writing team does create the most musically lovely story about that day in the most humanly way possible...Beautifully staged by the creative team, 'Come From Away' is one of the most singularly engaging new musicals to come to Broadway this spring." Full Review

"An excellent ensemble of twelve play both the residents and the guests, changing roles faster than you can blink...The style of the music is mainly Celtic folk. Many of the songs sounded alike to my untrained ear. There is one lovely number where several passengers pray, each according to his or her custom....Christopher Ashley’s direction keeps things flowing smoothly...Judging from the audience’s enthusiasm, Broadway will welcome this feel-good musical." Full Review

"A very entertaining musical that is given a near pitch-perfect production...The show is full of humor and a company of 16 talented performers play multiple characters with aplomb and warmth. Most of the music is sung in ensemble and is staged with imagination and skill...Much of the music sounds the same but it blends perfectly with the story...As the show progressed...something was tugging at me. This was 9/11...I felt almost a sense of guilt for being seduced by the show." Full Review

"Without making a fuss or employing dubious dazzlements, stirs one to the core...Under Christopher Ashley's swiftly paced, emotionally astute direction, a company of only twelve portrays everyone with seeming effortlessness...There are moments when, in its portrayal of such universal goodwill, 'Come From Away' flirts with becoming cutesy or too insistently upbeat; time and again, however, it steps back from the brink, reminding us that a world-shaking tragedy is taking place." Full Review

"A big bearhug of a musical...Even the most stalwart cynics may have trouble staying dry-eyed during this portrait of heroic hospitality under extraordinary pressure...'Come From Away' is smarter than it first appears...The show covers a vast expanse of sensitive material with a respect for its complexity...It sustains an air of improvisational urgency, which feels appropriate to a show about making do in crisis, and it doesn’t linger on obvious moments of heartbreak and humanity." Full Review

"Creators Sankoff and Hein have crafted a heartwarming and thoroughly entertaining musical...Despite the doubling and tripling of roles, the numerous characters are all vividly rendered, thanks to the skillfulness of the writing and performances...Although not particularly memorable, the music proves consistently engaging and serves the story line beautifully...Serving as a welcome reminder of people’s inherent goodness, 'Come From Away' is the feel-good show of the season." Full Review

“It’s a celebration of the best human instincts, and, particularly coming at this time, doesn’t seem at all hokey. It’s cheering and refreshing...’Come from Away’ tells its many-sided story in an effective, fast-moving style...The well-integrated songs, which range literally from foot-stompers to ballads, are mostly performed by the entire company, emphasizing the theme of community...Tells its story efficiently, but also with a sense of completeness. It’s a tale well-worth hearing.” Full Review

"It is as simple in its focus as the acts of goodness and gratitude at its thematic core...It's not that 'Come From Away' doesn't approach tricky themes, but without much agonizing, it shines a positive light on them...From tragic source material, 'Come From Away' has wrought a work that emphasizes goodness and shared humanity. Whatever your cynicism levels around how that may sound on paper, resistance to the show-as-performed is pretty futile." Full Review