A review of the Engineering Drama Society’s Come From Away
Running from September 24-26, the Engineering Drama Society’s production of Come From Away brings the smalltown Canadian hospitality of Gander, Newfoundland during the week of 9/11 to the Hart House stage in a moving and well-crafted show.
The show captures a perilous moment in history, when 38 airplanes diverted away from the US and landed at the Gander International Airport, swelling the local population to nearly twice its size. Residents invited the stranded “come from aways” into their homes, creating a temporary yet strong sense of community across cultural and national boundaries.
Co-directors, Mitchell Park and Andrew Evanynshyn, are veterans of Skule Nite, the Faculty of Engineering’s annual variety show. Having encountered Evanynshyn’s fantastic performances in VCDS’ Chess, and SMC Troubadours’ Footloose, I was excited to see how his experience would translate to the role of director.
The most striking technical element was the rotating stage in the centre, which was most effectively used in scenes of daunting momentum. It signified when a pause was needed, yet impossible, with the inevitable rotation of the earth as time passes, and the inability to either prevent impending destruction or prolong the moments of connection. One scene features worldwide air traffic control responding to the attacks in darkness, with screens providing the only illumination on the actors’ faces. The rotating stage turns into a spiral, sinisterly complimenting the rapid-fire dialogue and tense, percussion-heavy score. In the more joyful number “Stop the World,” Diane (Sabryn Di Paola) and Nick (Daniel Kim) portray a Texan and British couple who fall in love amid the unlikely circumstances and wish to “stop the world from spinning ‘round” whilst standing on opposite ends of the stage and, later, the Atlantic ocean, as they continue their relationship long-distance and eventually marry.
With 12 cast members playing 40 characters, costumes are more functional than stylistic. The different roles were identified with a variety of jackets and sweaters, which were at times held by the actors due to the speed at which roles are changed. The performances are strong enough and distinct from one another outside of just costumes so the different roles are rarely confusing. Bianca Hopkins plays a spirited news reporter on her first assignment while Joshua Chang plays a charismatic mayor. Isla Parekh plays Beverly Bass, the first female captain of an American Airlines commercial plane, giving a standout vocal performance on “Me and the Sky.” Parekh’s voice does Bass’s inspiring story of breaking boundaries in the aviation industry justice.
The number that most encapsulates the border-defying and unifying message of the show is “Screech-In,” where the come-from-aways participate in the local ritual of drinking the rum screech and kissing a cod to “become a Newfoundlander.” Members of the band join the stage in a festive outpour of optimism. Come From Away is a heartfelt show which the cast and crew brought to life fantastically.