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Post by eatbigsea on Dec 23, 2016 14:24:55 GMT
I thoroughly enjoyed this "9/12" musical. It began in California (La Jolla), then Seattle, then DC, now Toronto and it's heading to Broadway in February. It's the (true) story of the passengers who were in the air on 11 September 2001 and landed in Canada when the US closed their airspace. 38 planes landed in Gander, Newfoundland, a small town of around 10,000 people, effectively doubling the size of the town. It has a large airport for historical reasons which has no longer really been needed since the jet age. The townspeople were extraordinarily generous to the "plane people," cooking for them, providing prescriptions and clothing, and letting them into their homes.
The musical is an ensemble piece with 12 actors playing both locals and passengers. The one true standout is Jenn Colella, playing American Airlines captain Beverley Bass, who has a gorgeous solo with "Me and the Sky." The actors use the distinctive local dialect (it sounds Irish) and are more or less successful with it. It's not perfect, some of the songs go on too long. But it is an (interval-less) 140 minute affirmation of life. It's a really joyous experience, with locally influenced music (Great Big Sea's Bob Hallett was a musical consultant) and intricate, overlapping stories. I'm biased as I'm from Newfoundland, but I live in London and am a frequent theatre-goer. I think this will do well, if it finds its audience. It's a great show.
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Post by Phantom of London on Dec 26, 2016 22:07:20 GMT
Saw this in Toronto and loved this.
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Post by 49thand8th on Dec 28, 2016 23:53:25 GMT
I saw it in DC and loved its heart and energy. Looking forward to seeing it here on Broadway!
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Post by Mark on Dec 29, 2016 0:06:55 GMT
Top of my list to see in May!
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Post by eatbigsea on Mar 3, 2017 17:36:58 GMT
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Post by ali973 on Mar 3, 2017 18:08:28 GMT
For some reason this never appealed to me at all, though all I've heard so far is extremely positive. I also have a love/minor hate relationship with Jen Colella.
And I always got its title confused with "In Transit". I always associate "transit" with connecting flights, so maybe that's why.
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Post by eatbigsea on Mar 3, 2017 19:06:35 GMT
For some reason this never appealed to me at all, though all I've heard so far is extremely positive. I also have a love/minor hate relationship with Jen Colella. And I always got its title confused with "In Transit". I always associate "transit" with connecting flights, so maybe that's why. It's got challenges, most particularly the association with 9/11. I have a theatre-loving friend in New York who resolutely refuses to see it because of that. I've tried to explain that it's not really about that, it's a "9/12" story, but he is firm. I wouldn't avoid it for Jenn Colella though as it's very much an ensemble piece, Colella's only solo is 'Me and the Sky.' (Which I happen to think is gorgeous, but YMMV). |
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Post by 49thand8th on Mar 3, 2017 19:41:06 GMT
If anyone is interested in listening to the soundtrack oH MY HEAVENS |
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Post by eatbigsea on Mar 3, 2017 23:37:19 GMT
If anyone is interested in listening to the soundtrack oH MY HEAVENS Tried to edit but it was too late. Sorry for offending you. |
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Post by Phantom of London on Mar 13, 2017 21:12:17 GMT
After getting a rave from the New York Times this morning, the next logical step would either be a US Tour or London and I can now see the sit down here happening sooner than later, not just because it is such a lovely musical that leaves you smiling, I cannot see the production costs being too high with a small cast and a non existent set, so this could play one of our smaller theatres, such as the Harold Pinter or Gielgud.
Would have thought that Waitress and Dear Evan Hansen are also overdue to come over with theatres such as Piccadilly will be free come January, The Phoenix maybe looking for its next rent payer if the audience doesn't pick up and also the Aldwych maybe available, now Beautiful is touring.
Thought the Noel Coward might be available but Sixpence seems to of found its market?
The 3 shows I mention can easily fit into any of the West End houses I mentioned.
I wonder how Motown is doing now? I guess it has recouped as had a solid summer, but is expensive to run.
Here on another thread that Kinky Boots is selling well?
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Post by 49thand8th on Mar 13, 2017 21:14:50 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2017 21:19:15 GMT
The closest Come From Away will get to the West End is somewhere like the Southwark Playhouse in about 10 years time.
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Post by eatbigsea on Mar 13, 2017 22:07:06 GMT
After getting a rave from the New York Times this morning, the next logical step would either be a US Tour or London and I can now see the sit down here happening sooner than later, not just because it is such a lovely musical that leaves you smiling, I cannot see the production costs being too high with a small cast and a non existent set, so this could play one of our smaller theatres, such as the Harold Pinter or Gielgud. Would have thought that Waitress and Dear Evan Hansen are also overdue to come over with theatres such as Piccadilly will be free come January, The Phoenix maybe looking for its next rent payer if the audience doesn't pick up and also the Aldwych maybe available, now Beautiful is touring. I could see Come From Away coming over here before Dear Evan Hansen (haven't seen Waitress). Dear Evan Hansen is very American and would be expensive to produce, although I suppose there are less expensive ways of replicating the social media. I think the music and the general sensibility of Come From Away would appeal here. |
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Post by ali973 on Mar 14, 2017 5:43:17 GMT
I agree, from what I gather about this show (which really does not speak to me at all) is that it is more likely to cross over (along with Waitress) than Dear Evan Hansen. The latter is just not mainstream enough for British theatre going audiences.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2017 18:43:22 GMT
I successfully purchased Rush tickets for yesterday's matinee, after reading fantastic recommendations from those who have seen the show. And wow. What a show. The entire thing is played to music, but I wouldn't consider it as being entirely sung-through as there's lots of dialogue. I cried and laughed in equal measure, which showed me that I really connected with the telling of this story. The melodies accompanying the recounts of those involved complimented beautifully - and made this musical a rare first person recollection from a section of society brought together by tragedy. But this is not a solemn tale by any means, the heart of this story lies within the community spirit of Newfoundland and the surrounding area, who welcomed the grounded passengers on that fateful day in September, 2001. "Plane People" connect with each other and the "Islanders" in Newfoundland. As much as I'm desperate to see this show again I can't honestly see it coming to the UK, although a trip to Toronto in February might have to be arranged. Of the four shows I caught on my recent trip to NYC, Come From Away is on an equal footing with Dear Evan Hansen as my favourite. Having said this, however, I think the Tony season belongs to DEH As a side note, I have to admit that I now have the BIGGEST crush on Chad Kimball. What a fine specimen of a man he is, in those tight jeans and his manly thighs that slightly jiggle when he stamps his feet... I've digressed.  |
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Post by ali973 on Apr 10, 2017 6:26:32 GMT
Everyone is raving about Come From Away. I absolutely made no plans to see it in May, but I think I might have, since I have severe FOMO when it comes to far away theatre. PS, regarding Kimball..keep it in your pants babes  |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2017 6:40:16 GMT
I also had no plans to see this when I go to New York in May but have had to make some adjustments. I wont feel right talking about what should win the Tony unless I see the main contenders!
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Post by Someone in a tree on Apr 10, 2017 9:49:48 GMT
I love the CD (or rather listening to it on Spotify!) . Thank you to the board for bringing it to my attention
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Post by westendwendy on Apr 17, 2017 19:21:18 GMT
I finally saw "Come From Away" yesterday afternoon - a heartfelt musical about the stranded people in Newfoundland during 9/11 or as the show says 9/12. There's lots of hype for this one act 100 minute production and it didn't fail.... It celebrates human kindness, resilience, spirit and faith brilliantly with impressive performances from a cast that look just like your next door neighbours (real people). That said, I found it funnier and more entertaining than it was touching - and I wish they had pushed the real and raw angle more and balanced the emotion out (as well as adding a second act). I felt more sorry for the animals in the planes than the people in New York. Being such a sensitive issue - remarkably the show rarely goes there. I don't think the words Twin Towers were mentioned once. Still, a superb new show and the most creative I have seen during my trip to NYC. It will do well at the awards I think. 8/10 I'm not sure it would play in London sadly.
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Post by ali973 on Apr 17, 2017 19:56:32 GMT
I booked a ticket to it because I have serious FOMO when i comes to musicals (I feel I wrote this before..). Anyway, I finally almost finished listening to the cast recording. Very Lord of the Dance. I don't get why they have an Irish accent or play a fiddle like that. One other pet peeve was how they introduce the Middle Eastern character with the mandatory tabla drum, clarinet from the dunes and an absurd accent. The actor playing the British guy also sounds ridiculous, and the pirate king narrating the story is annoying. It never occurred to me to see it, but I think it will do very well in this Tony season.
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Post by eatbigsea on Apr 18, 2017 19:21:53 GMT
I don't get why they have an Irish accent or play a fiddle like that. ? They have the accent they have because that's the accent that people from Newfoundland have. It's similar to an Irish accent: And they play a fiddle like that because that is what Newfoundland music is like: |
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Post by ali973 on Apr 18, 2017 19:24:12 GMT
I get it. Really, I figured it out. But I thought it was peculiar..
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Post by eatbigsea on Apr 18, 2017 19:30:14 GMT
Newfoundland didn't join Canada until 1949. It has always had a distinct culture.
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Post by eatbigsea on Apr 24, 2017 21:39:13 GMT
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Post by Mark on May 12, 2017 4:40:46 GMT
I didn't want this to end. It's a very special show and the cast are clearly having the time of their lives!
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