The Orlando Shakespeare Theater’s production of “Come From Away” wraps up this Sunday, ending its first-ever run of the Tony award-winning musical.
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The musical is based on the true story of the nearly 7,000 airline passengers and crewmembers grounded in Gander, Newfoundland in the wake of 9/11.
After the the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration shut down its airspace following the terrorist attacks, Gander, a town of about 10,000 residents, was told 18 planes would land at its airport.
They received 38, nearly doubling the town’s population over night.
These passengers and crew members, known as the “come-from-aways” or “plane people,” were taken to Salvation Armies, churches, schools and community centers across Gander and surrounding towns. The last of the “come-from-aways” left Gander on Sept. 16, 2001.
“Come From Away” tells the experiences of real passengers and community members during those five days.
READ: ‘You don’t forget about it’: 25 years after 9/11, Orlando firefighter shares his story
WDBO spoke with actress Meka King, who portrays Hannah O’Rourke, the mother of a firefighter stationed at Rescue Company 2 in Brooklyn.
O’Rourke was on her way home to New York from her native Ireland when her flight was diverted. She later discovered her son was killed in the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
King said she pulled inspiration for her character from her aunt Pam, whose son died in 2020.
“There were two days of us just trying to find out what was going on with him, and waiting for news,” King said. “It’s been six years now, and I still see the emotional weight that she carries from losing her son. And I draw a lot from that with Hannah — the waiting, the praying, the hoping, and then the despair after finding out that he’s deceased.”
King said in light of the recent 25th anniversary of 9/11, it’s draining to channel this grief nightly as someone who usually portrays comedy characters.
“There’s a scene in the show where the ‘come-from-aways’ are watching on television what has happened,” she said. “I always go back to that moment where I did actually see it on TV, and every night it feels like I’m catapulted back to 2001.”
The production displays the good and the bad of bringing together people from over 100 different countries in unprecedented times, from finding community despite language barriers to the early rearing of post-9/11 islamophobia.
Following the 9/11 attacks, the FBI reported there were 481 reported anti-Muslim hate crimes reported in the U.S. that year, with only 28 recorded in 2000, according to Pew Research Center.
“There are parts of the show that are, you know, still so very real,” King said. “...How entire communities were impacted with fear mongering and racism. And it’s still very alive and well today and I want people to process that.”
READ: UCF marks 25 years since September 11, 2001
King said she hopes the show appeals to theatregoers’ sense of humanity.
“I want people to really put themselves through a filter of ”What am I doing to contribute to making our world and our society better?“ King said. ”I really, really want people to leave this production wanting to be better humans.”
“Come From Away” is playing now through Sept. 27 twice daily at Orlando Shakes at 812 E. Rollins St. Tickets are available online.
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