One Town, 7,000 Strangers

When 38 planes were grounded in Gander, Newfoundland in the days after September 11, 2001, a small town of neighbors suddenly became home to thousands of strangers from around the world. Come From Away tells the true story of the unlikely friendships and quiet acts of kindness that emerged from an unimaginable moment in history.

Told in a single act with a compact ensemble bringing dozens of townspeople and travelers to life, this sung-through musical moves briskly between humor, heartbreak, and hope. Sanford audiences will find a story about ordinary people rising to meet an extraordinary circumstance with generosity.

With its intimate staging and powerful true story, Come From Away offers our Mainstage audience an evening that is both a tribute to resilience and a celebration of community — themes we hope resonate deeply here in Sanford.