Come From Away: the true story of a community that came together in the face of tragedy

This musical performance follows the true stories of a small community that “opened their hearts, their doors and their fridges” to thousands of people who were stranded after 9/11. Funny, sad, and heartfelt: this is a story that will resonate with anyone.

Come From Away premieres on Friday, March 14 at the Empire Theatre

Come From Away is a musical that follows the incredible true story about the small Canadian community that took in thousands of stranded aeroplane passengers in the wake of 9/11, and it premieres on Friday, March 14 at The Empire Theatre.

After the US closed their airspace following the horrific 9/11 attack in 2001, hundreds of flights were redirected and about 7000 stranded passengers ended up in the small community of Gander in Newfoundland.

Performer Vicki Bravery plays Bonnie Harris, an ASPCA worker who fought to save the animals on board the flights, and Ms Bravery said this production told a wonderful story of community spirit in the wake of an awful event.

“In the face of adversity and when things seem really awful, there is always a light and there is always an opportunity to find time to be kind and look out for each other,” she said.

Ms Bravery, who moved to Toowoomba in 2009, said in the past week after South-East Queensland was hit by ex-tropical cyclone Alfred she saw people coming together, much like the characters in Come From Away.

“Even just with the cyclone recently we saw people helping each other out,” she said.

“Sometimes it’s the little things that can create that sense of community.

“That’s something I really noticed when I moved to Toowoomba, that people really care and look out for each other.”

Featuring a line-up of local performers, the show runs from March 14-23.

Buy tickets for the show online at empiretheatre.com.au/whats-on/come-from-away.