"Come From Away": ★★★

Sometimes, a revival of a show comes at the perfect time. A new audience gets to experience the show's energy and message and the show can take on a new and sometimes stronger meaning. The 2026 Theatre Works production of Irene Sankoff and David Hein's "Come From Away" carries the same message as it did when the show premiered in 2017 on Broadway, which is: "We're all from Away. Let us be loving and generous to our neighbors."

Gander, Newfoundland, is a small Canadian town on an island in the Atlantic Ocean. But it has a large airport and was the selected landing space in 2001 when the terrorist suicide attacks on the United States necessitated the immediate closing of American air space. All planes coming into the U.S. had to either turn back around or land in Gander. The town's heroic care of so many people who came from all over the world and had to remain in Newfoundland for up to a week was the inspirational story of the year. 

The show ran on Broadway for five years.

But it's 2026 now, isn't it? In the show, when someone thanks one of the Newfounlanders and the man shrugs and says, "Well, you'd do the same thing for us," we cannot avoid the realization that today's America has gone out of its way to make enemies of our neighbors. Perhaps we would help Canadians were they in the same situation, but we can no longer count on kindness. Even Robert Kelley's direction cannot overcome this most cynical view of our present political world.

We enjoyed several cast members, especially those who could project their voices. Anthone D. Jackson, Monique Hafen Adams, Heather Orth and Dawn L. Troupe stood out whenever they were in the spotlight. Colin Thomson made a fine mayor and Melissa Wolfklain could fly my plane anytime. This is not an original-sounding score, but it was good enough for five years on Broadway, so you can make your own judgement.

RATINGS:   ★★★

The San Francisco Theater Blog (Admittedly Cynical) Awards Division grants "Come from Away" Three Stars. The show itself must suspend our disbelief in order for it to feel real. Three Stars means "Go See For Yourself." We are happy we did. 

"Come From Away"

Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts

500 Castro Street, Mountain view

Through May 10, 2026

$34 - $115