In the tailwind of 9/11 comes a Tony Award-winning musical with messages of unity for 2023
No need to prepare for a cross-check, nor stow your tray table and buckle up. After five years on Broadway and performances everywhere from Australia to Argentina, Come From Away is landing at the Peace Center January 24–29. The true story of September 11 delivers messages of hope and community as the audience meets the people of Gander, Newfoundland. The tiny town on the edge of the Atlantic opened its homes and hearts to 7,000 passengers grounded during their flights to and from Europe on that fateful day.
Finding Common Ground in Come From Away
TOWN had the honor of spending time with then-real-life Mayor Claude Elliott, who led Gander through the crisis, and veteran actor Kevin Carolan, who’s played the mayor on stage since 2018.
Good to see y’all. Claude, you’d been mayor for five years on 9/11. Did you ever think something like this would happen?
Claude Elliott: When I woke up that morning, I never envisioned I would be a character in a play on Broadway that was carried around the world. I never would have envisioned that in my lifetime. We just did what we had to do, with no expectations. It’s been kind of a whirlwind since.
Gander doubled in size for almost a week, when you were forced to feed and house thousands of complete strangers, when U.S. airspace closed. How hard was it?
Claude Elliott: We got very little sleep for five days. We were operating on pure adrenaline. We had 7,000 people who needed us to be there for them. It was a different time. The world saw the worst of mankind on 9/11 and saw the best of it.
Kevin, you’ve worked with Martin Scorsese and Mel Brooks. You’ve played public figures like F.D.R., but is this is the first time you’re playing a person who is still alive, who can provide feedback, maybe even criticism?
Kevin Carolan: It is! When I met Claude near the end of the first year of the tour, it was like we’d been friends beforehand. He’s twice as charming as you’d imagine. The fact he was mayor of such a small town that could take in thousands of people without having it turn into a nightmare? The fact that he retained his sense of neighborhood, duty, and humor is exemplary. He’s grace under pressure. It makes playing Claude extremely fulfilling.
Although about 9/11, the show is funny and engaging. We don’t want to give those moments away, but is it all true?
Claude Elliott: I get asked that all the time. Yes, everything is true. Everything happened. My original fear was how are we going to be portrayed? But they captured everything just right, even becoming an honorary Newfoundlander. Thousands of visitors have earned the certificate and the last thing you do is kiss the cod.
Claude, you’re frequently invited to make appearances and have seen the musical 95 times. Some two million others have watched it live around the world. Why is it such a success?
Claude Elliott: It’s a good news story. Today in the world we live in, never has there been a better time to have a good news story. We were simply trying to do good things. We came together and everyone did their little part. It’s nice to see people’s smiling faces when they leave the show.
Apple TV+ is now airing Come From Away, and a whole new generation that wasn’t alive on 9/11 is attending the show in person.
Kevin Carolan: No matter how you see it, our hope is people will take away its concept of community and be a little bit better. They’ll be kinder to each other. A little nicer. Do good things for people who may have different opinions. We need to put our differences aside and help people. Sometimes it’s as simple as saying hello, or good evening. Hopefully the world can become a little friendlier.
Claude Elliott: We’re hoping we can change the world. And if we’re going to change, it’s the next generation that will have to get to it. If everyone did their little part, we could make it happen overnight, period. The show is resonating with the younger generation and they are coming up behind us, carrying the torch.
Kevin Carolan: There’s this over-arching concept in the show of, “You would have done the same.” I hope we inspire the audience to apply that to their own life. To show just a bit more kindness to a stranger than they have before. I know I’m a better person because of telling this story.
Can’t wait to see the show. Kevin, are you looking forward to returning to Greenville?
Kevin Carolan: Yes. I’m very excited to be back. I find Greenville so charming. One week is really not enough. I’m fortunate to travel with my bike, and if the weather cooperates, I like to find new trails and ride.
We’ll look for you on stage and on the Swamp Rabbit Trail. Break a leg—but not on your bike!
Information on tickets for the award-winning musical can be found at PeaceCenter.org
Photography courtesy of Matthew Murphy.
