MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
Sterling Theater Troupe to Present Inspiring Musical Come From Away
The Sterling Theater Troupe will bring the acclaimed Broadway musical Come From Away to the Betsy Dutton Theater next week, telling the remarkable true story of a small Canadian town that welcomed thousands of stranded airline passengers following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Directed by Dennis Dutton, the production marks another summer theater season for the Sterling Theater Troupe, which has presented productions for more than 40 years. Dutton described the musical as one of the most unique shows the troupe has ever staged.
"It's a true story," Dutton said. "There are 12 actors in the show, but the 12 actors portray 153 different characters."
The story centers on Gander, Newfoundland, where 38 commercial airliners were diverted after U.S. airspace closed on Sept. 11. Nearly 7,000 stranded passengers suddenly doubled the town's population, prompting residents to open schools, churches and even their homes to complete strangers.
"It's not a 9/11 story, it's a 9/12 story," Dutton said, emphasizing that the musical focuses on compassion, resilience and the friendships that emerged from tragedy.
The production features a minimalist set consisting primarily of chairs and tables that are continually rearranged to transform into airplanes, buses, schools and other locations, allowing the actors to portray dozens of characters through rapid transitions.
Musically, the show draws heavily from traditional Newfoundland and Celtic influences.
Music Conductor Bryce Wilson said audiences will hear authentic Irish-inspired instruments, including fiddle, bodhrán and tin whistle. Because the score requires whistles in multiple keys that aren't commercially available, Wilson built many of them himself using PVC pipe, 3D-printed mouthpieces and extensive trial and error.
"I learned how to make some, which took some doing," Wilson said.
Wilson will conduct a nine-piece pit orchestra featuring accordion, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, percussion, piano and bass, creating the distinctive folk sound that has become a hallmark of the Tony Award-winning musical.
The 12-member cast includes performers from Sterling, Hutchinson and Pratt, making the production a true regional collaboration.
Performances are scheduled for July 2 and July 3 at 7:30 p.m., with a Sunday matinee on July 5 at 2 p.m. at the Betsy Dutton Theater inside Sterling High School. Tickets will be available at the door.