No doubt you remember the horror of the 9/11 tragedy. Perhaps you read The Day the World Came to Town, by journalist Jim DeFede which chronicles how the 10,000 people who call Gander home welcomed 6,800 strangers into their community when their planes were forced to land their after the attacks. Or maybe you saw Come From Away in Toronto or New York or the touring company here in Buffalo. The MusicalFare production of Come From Away which opened the company’s new home at Shea’s 710 Theatre captures the fear, frustration, open-hearted generosity, and yes – even humor – of that real life odyssey with abundant grace and precision. It’s an absolutely brilliant production.

This is a true ensemble piece where cast members (Bobby Cooke, Steve Copps, Augustus Donaldson, Wendy Hall, John Kaczorowski, Austin Marshall, Bob Mazierski, Kayla McSorley, Michele Marie Roberts, Debbie Pappas Sham, Alexandria Watts, and Emily Yancey) each play multiple roles. By quickly donning or doffing a hat or scarf or jacket and changing their patterns of speech, they each become a representation of every person from Gander residents, world citizens, elected officials, and airline personnel. This simple theatre device is so well integrated into their movements you hardly notice it happening. Each actor has their major and minor roles in this, but in the aggregate, each part is evenly weighted and strong. There were some true stand out moments: Cooke as the Gander mayor opening the show leading “Welcome to the Rock,” with fierce pride about “being an islander.” Copps and Watts’ duet of the Prayer of St. Francis which becomes “Prayer,” a multi-cultural call to faith for calm and healing; and Roberts’ stunning interpretation of “Me and the Sky” are stunningly beautiful. In these examples lie the differences, the extremes that make this production so moving: Copps and Watts raise their voices with a gentle, imploring sweetness. Roberts’ interpretation is about wonder and empowerment, and that intense longing you feel when something you love is damaged.

There are funny moments balanced against the poignant ones. Yancey as Emily the “SPCA lady” frantically looking for animals on the airplane and her delight in finding chimpanzees. Marshall as Bob who worries about his wallet being pinched, is asked to round up everyone’s grill for a community picnic by just walking into their yards…and his reaction is hysterical. Pappas Sham as Diane, smitten with Nick the Brit (Mazierski) is a bright moment of love against the hate which spurred the day.

The ensemble had formidable direction from Randy Kramer, a band par excellence led by Theresa Quinn, and Michael Oliver-Walline’s pristine choreography which matches the Irene Sankoff and David Hein score so perfectly. Chris Cavanagh’s set, lighting, and sound design provide the right stage magic (my favorite moment was in “Me and the Sky” when said sky turned a beautifully rich azure at a key lyrical moment. The sisters Drozd – Kari and Susan – give the characters life with costumes and hair/makeup designs respectively. Every details, tilt of a cap, dip of shoulder, smirk, smile, and hug is nuanced, authentic, and just is so right.

The entire experience – your personal memories measured against the retelling from the Gander perspective – is both exhilarating and very moving. Many apologies to Theatre Companion who got to hear me sniffle and cry during this gorgeous tribute to the power of kindness.

Come From Away runs 90 minutes without intermission until November 9. Scoop up your tickets now: this is remarkable theatre with an extraordinary cast in a fabulous new home.  Visit www.musicalfare.com for details.