By Ace Caguioa
Come From Away at La Mirada Theatre is now officially the first musical I’ve reviewed for the La Mirada Blog that I went into completely blind. I hadn’t seen a production of this musical before anywhere, hadn’t heard the soundtrack, and had never even
watched clips on YouTube. And honestly? I’m pretty glad I didn’t. Experiencing this show for the first time, live, in the gorgeous La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts — it was something special. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this intense human connection
and emotional depth at a musical before.
What makes Come From Away so powerful is that it’s grounded in real events. As director Richard J. Hinds notes in the playbill, “It’s not a documentary, but it is more factual than you might imagine.” Set in the immediate aftermath of 9/11, it tells the story
of 38 planes unexpectedly grounded somewhere in Canada, in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, and the 7,000 passengers who found safety, compassion, and community in a place they never meant to be. Writers Irene Sankoff and David Hein do a fantastic job using storytelling and music to showcase the best of humanity. It’s not a flashy musical — there are no big sets or costume changes — but there’s movement, honesty, warmth, and a deeply human core.
The cast was phenomenal. It’s a small ensemble, and every single actor plays multiple characters — both the locals and the “come from aways.” I genuinely can’t name a single standout, because they were all standouts. The acting was deep and thoughtful,
the singing was beautiful, and the transitions between accents and characters happened so quickly and so seamlessly, it was honestly mind-blowing. I found myself rooting for every single character on that stage, as they made each story feel real and
personal. Many cast members also played instruments live on stage, which added a wonderful layer to the performance. The instrumentalists and band weren’t just background players either, but were fully integrated into the ensemble, stepping into the
spotlight when the number demanded it. It was a beautifully cohesive experience.
The set design was also incredibly well done. It wasn’t about grandeur or spectacle, but it didn’t need to be. With simple, purposeful changes, a few chairs, lighting shifts, subtle movement — the already beautiful space transformed into airports, planes, shelters,
homes, and even a bar and a Tim Hortons. It was smart, beautiful, and never distracted from the heart of the story. Major credit to scenic designer Nate Bertone and Hinds for crafting a space and flow that felt so effortless and intentional.
For ~95 minutes, I was completely invested. I wanted to know not just what happened to the passengers, but how the locals were feeling too. The show doesn’t shy away from the heaviness — loss, confusion, grief, frustration — but it also makes room for humor,
light-heartedness, and quiet joy. It felt authentic. It was beautifully human.
In a time when the world feels increasingly chaotic and divided, Come From Away is a much-needed reminder that we need each other. That kindness matters. That we all crave belonging — even in places we never expected to find it. That even in the darkest
moments, we can still show up for each other in extraordinary ways.
Performance Details
Dates
September 19 – October 12, 2025
Times
Thursdays at 7:30 pm
Fridays at 8 pm
Saturdays at 2 pm & 8 pm
Sundays at 1:30 pm & 6:30 pm
Run Time
Approximately 100 minutes with no intermission
Content Advisory
Recommended for ages 16 & up for some mature language and content
Special Performances
Cast Talkbacks: Thursdays, September 25 and October 9
Open Captioning: Saturday, October 4 at 2 pm
Credits
Book, Music & Lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein
Directed & Choreographed by Richard J. Hinds
Musical Direction by Sam Groisser
Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI)
Produced by McCoy Rigby Entertainment for the City of La Mirada
Buy Tickets
Visit lamiradatheatre.com | box office: (562) 944-9801
