Posts Tagged ‘irene sankoff’

Riveting “Come From Away” is a Profound Success at Stages

Posted in St Louis Theatre, tagged , , , , , , on September 26, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Come From Away
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein
Directed by Michael Bello
Stages St. Louis
September 23, 2026

Cast of Come From Away
Photo by Phillip Hamer
Stages St. Louis

When I first saw Come From Away on tour at the Fox in 2019, I mentioned in my review that I thought it would do especially well in regional theatres when the rights became available. Well, now it seems to have become one of the most popular musicals for regional and community theatres, and Stages St. Louis’s latest production is proving just how successful this show can be in a regional setting. With a great cast and strong production values, the show gets its message across effectively, with a profoundly entertaining result. 

The story follows the residents of the town of Gander, Newfoundland, on and following September 11, 2001, on which the town’s airport became the emergency landing place for many airplanes that were grounded as a result of the horrific events of that day. The show follows how the town responded to the sudden need, as well as showing the experiences of some of the plane passengers that found themselves stranded in a strange place for a few days. Among the stories featured are that of Gander resident Beulah (Zoe Vonder Haar) and plane passenger Hannah (Rheaume Crenshaw), who form a friendship while Hannah is waiting for news of her NYC firefighter son. There’s also the story of ASPCA worker Bonnie (Leah Berry), who makes it her mission to care for the various animals on the planes; as well as Englishman Nick (Jamie LaVerdiere) and Texan Diane (Amy Blake), who meet and form an attraction while stranded in Gander; and also the story of pilot Beverley (Aléna Watters), who loves to fly but is dealing with the tragedy of planes being used as weapons. Other stories highlight how the residents and passengers work together and how the passengers are bewildered by the kindness of the Canadian strangers. The songs are a blend of folk-influenced tunes and traditional musical theatre, with a highlight being the “Prayer” moment which uses the hymn “Prayer of St. Francis” to excellent effect. 

The cast is fantastic, led by Vonder Haar repeating her role from the Muny’s 2025 production, along with her equally excellent frequent scene partner Crenshaw as Hannah, who gets a moving solo musical moment with “I am Here”. Berry as Bonnie is also excellent, as are Kilty Reidy as the town’s mayor, Claude, and Cara Palombo as rookie TV reporter Janice. LaVerdiere and Blake are a treat in their scenes as Nick and Diane, and Watters has memorable presence as Beverley, including the standout song “Me and the Sky”. Nikita Burshteyn and Albert Jennings are also excellent as two bickering boyfriends both named Kevin. There’s a strong ensemble all around, bringing much energy and heart to the overall proceedings.

Michael Bello’s direction and Kyli Rae’s musical staging are also to be commended, along with the first rate production values. Anne Beyersdorfer’s detailed set is the most elaborate I’ve seen in this show, and it works remarkably well. There’s also marvelous lighting by Sean M. Savoie, sound by Max Silverman, and costumes by Catherine Lovejoy that add much to the overall vibe of the show. There’s also a terrific onstage band led by music director Jacob Carll. 

Considering the important story it tells and its ultimately uplifting message of kindness in the midst of tragedy, as well as how well the show is put together, it makes sense to me that it has become so popular with theatres of all sizes across the country. At Stages, the production is full of energy, music, and emotion, as well as truly memorable performances and stunning production values. It’s a fitting closing show for a a fantastic 2026 season. 

Cast of Come From Away
Photo by Phillip Hamer
Stages St. Louis

Stages St. Louis is presenting Come From Away at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center until October 18, 2026

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Hospitality, Humanity Brought Into Focus in The Muny’s Heartfelt “Come From Away”

Posted in St Louis Theatre, tagged , , , , , , , on July 2, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Come From Away
Book, Music and Lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein
Directed by Seth Sklar-Heyn
Choreographed by Jesse Robb
The Muny
July 1, 2025

Heidi Blickenstaff (Front) and Cast
Photo by Phillip Hamer
The Muny

The world had a crisis and Gander, Newfoundland stepped up. It’s become a well-known story of September 11, 2001, as planes were grounded on the remote Canadian island and the small town and neighboring towns played hosts to approximately 7,000 displaced airline passengers and crew. Come From Away, the musical that tells Gander’s story, is a folksy, heartfelt tale with much well-place humor, celebrating hospitality, ingenuity, and humanity, as a few thousand people worked to find hope amid the heartbreaking tragedy of 9/11. Currently onstage at the Muny under the direction of Seth Sklar-Heyn, this remarkable show is being staged with heart, energy, and a stunning mixture of complexity and simplicity. 

There is a fantastic cast assembled, with each performer playing a variety of roles. The cast here appears to be slightly larger than the touring cast I saw a few years ago at the Fox, but it’s not too big as to overwhelm the heartfelt simplicity of this show, with its intertwined tales based on real accounts of people who lived through those days in Gander almost a quarter century ago. The music is a mixture of folk-inspired tunes and traditional Broadway sounds, and the look is stunningly memorable, with a simple but beautifully decorated autumnal-themed set by Edward E. Haynes, Jr., memorable mood lighting by Rob Denton, excellent video design by Mike Tataj, and colorful costumes by Gail Baldoni. The orchestra led by music director Evan Roider adds a lush tone to the memorable score, and the overall local atmosphere that, despite having a host of featured characters, features Gander as the show’s real “star”.

While the overall tone is one of hospitality and hope, there is real poignancy here as well as flawed humanity on display, as strained relationships, xenophobia and distrust for a Muslim character are depicted amid the stories of the largely well-meaning Newfoundlanders working to make the most suitable temporary home for their thousands of guests. Standout subplots include SPCA worker Bonnie (Andréa Burns) trying her best to care for the various animals on the grounded planes; as well as a friendship that develops between local schoolteacher Beulah (Zoe Vonder Haar) and passenger Hannah (Tamika Lawrence), who waits for news of her NYC firefighter son. There’s also the budding attraction between the British Nick (John Bolton) and Texan Diane (Ashley Brown), the first day on the job of local TV news reporter Janice (Abigail Isom), and the story of Beverley Bass (Heidi Blickenstaff), who pilots one of the stranded planes and also gets to tell her true life story in the show-stopping “Me and the Sky”. The locals and visitors are well represented, with one of the most memorable scenes being what’s called a “Screech In” at a local bar, in which some of the “Come From Away” guests are inducted as honorary Newfoundlanders in a fun, quirky ceremony .

The cast is fantastic across the board, with standouts being those already mentioned, as well as Adam Heller as the town’s mayor, Alan H. Green as a passenger who starts out suspicious of the locals’ hospitality but grows to appreciate it, and Trey DeLuna and Jason Tam as a pair of bickering boyfriends both named Kevin. The entire cast is full of energy, telling the story in a way that credibly conveys the confusion, struggle, heartbreak, humanity, and hope in this remarkable story.

Come From Away isn’t a long show. In fact, it’s one of those rare shows that the Muny has done without an intermission. Still, it packs a lot of story, character, music, and emotion into its relatively short running time. It’s a profoundly affecting and unique piece of theatre. 

Ashley Brown, Zoe Vonder Haar, John Bolton, Adam Heller
Photo by Emily Santel
The Muny

The Muny is presenting Come From Away in Forest Park until July 2, 2025

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NJT Hosts an Upbeat, Super Positive “Wedding”

Posted in St Louis Theatre, tagged , , , , , , on May 15, 2015| Leave a Comment »

My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding
by David Hein and Irene Sankoff
Directed by Edward Coffield
New Jewish Theatre
May 7, 2015

Deborah Sharn, Pierce Hastings, Laura Ackerman, Ben Nordstrom Photo by Eric Woolsey New Jewish Theatre

Deborah Sharn, Pierce Hastings, Laura Ackerman, Ben Nordstrom
Photo by Eric Woolsey
New Jewish Theatre

New Jewish Theatre is closing out their 2014-2015 season with a love fest.  It’s happy, it’s fluffy, and it has a message in there somewhere, but for the most part it’s just extremely entertaining. My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding is a concert-style musical based on the true story of the the creators’ family. With a strong, appealing cast, lots of humor and heart, and an upbeat score, this show is a great way for NJT to end the season on a smile.

The story is narrated by David (Ben Nordstrom, and played as a teenager by Pierce Hastings), a singer-songwriter who had a somewhat unconventional upbringing, splitting his time after his parents’ divorce between his native Nebraska where his dad, Garth (John Flack) lives, and Ottawa, Canada. His mother, Claire (Laura Ackermann) moved there after the divorce to start a new life, and she finds one.  It’s not what she expected, either, as she finds herself involved in a lesbian choir led by her roommate Michelle (Anna Skidis), who introduces her to the outgoing Jane (Deborah Sharn). After spending and evening on the town with Jane, Claire realizes she’s attracted, and soon, the two are a couple. That’s just the beginning, though, as the show then goes on to chronicle the story of David’s relationship with his two moms, with his father, and with his eventual wife, Irene (Jennifer Theby-Quinn), all set against the backdrop of the fight to legalize same-sex marriage in Canada and building up to the title wedding, which blends elements of Jane’s Wiccan belief’s and Claire’s Judaism.

This musical deals with a lot of issues, but it never comes across as an “issue play”.  Topics of same-sex marriage, divorce, parental relationships both healthy and strained, differences in religious beliefs and spirituality, and the search for identity and personal fulfillment are all addressed here. There are a few moments of drama, as well, especially in the developing relationship between Claire and Jane, and in Claire’s processing her feelings about her first marriage and her relationship with her ex-husband. Still, the overall atmosphere is just plain fun.  It’s so upbeat and positive, with many hilarious set pieces and much singing, dancing and laughing. Some memorable scenes include Claire and Jane’s first unofficial “date”, David’s taking Irene to meet his moms at Hooters (not knowing what it’s like), and Irene’s being hovered over by 5 moms at her wedding.  The music is well-played and well-sung, and it leaves the audience with an uplifting, positive feeling.

The overall look of the production is colorful, projecting somewhat of an early 70s vibe. Margery and Peter Spack’s set is a round stage festooned with flowers, rainbows and vibrant patterns. The costumes, by Michele Friedman Siler, are similarly striking and full of color.  There’s also excellent lighting by James Kolditz, sound by Amanda Werre, and props by Jenny Smith.

The show boasts an immensely likable cast, from the leads to the ensemble. Ackerman is convincing as the initially conflicted but increasingly life-loving Claire, and her scenes with both Sharn as the outgoing and bubbly Jane and with both Davids are engaging and memorable. There’s also some strong support from Theby-Quinn as Irene, with a strong voice, excellent comic timing, and priceless facial expression. Skidis as Michelle and Flack as Garth give amiable performances, as well. Nordstrom is an ideal narrator with charm, charisma, and a great voice, and Hastings is equally strong as the young David.  Several of the supporting players, along with ensemble member Chase Thomaston, play various roles as well, and convincingly so.

My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding at NJT is a fun show to watch.  It’s bright, it’s energetic, it’s charming, and it’s very well-cast. This is, quite simply, one of the happiest shows I’ve seen all year.

Cast of My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding Photo by Eric Woolsey New Jewish Theatre

Cast of My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding
Photo by Eric Woolsey
New Jewish Theatre

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