Still such an amazing story after seeing the production for the fourth time. Bravos to Lexi Garcia and the cast for a wonderful performance. Thanks Amber Tacy for joining me and getting us into the backstage.
Hamilton: An American Musical
Come From Away
I have a new favorite musical!!!
Finally saw the last of the Tony Awards Best Musical nominees tonight. What an incredible show! What an engaged audience! A large Newfoundland flag flew high over the mezzanine at the end of the show. Must be a lot of Canadians in attendance today.
Definitely my pick for best musical this year. Quite possibly, the show might even have edged out “Hamilton” to become my all-time favorite.
“Come From Away” is set in Newfoundland, an island on the eastern tip of Canada, in the days following the 9/11 attack. It’s about the 38 flights and 7000 passengers who were diverted to Gander, Newfoundland when the US airspace was shut down. It’s about the 9000 townspeople who took in the “plane people” even though it’s a huge resource and logistic challenge, and welcomed everyone regardless of their nationality, religion, and sexual orientation.
Among the stories: American Airlines’ first ever female captain (“Me and the Sky”). Passengers who met there and then, and later married each other (“Stop the World”). A gay couple who were initially afraid, only to learn how open the Canadians are. A mother who lost her firefighter son. And so on.
Over the past 15 years, the “plane people” eventually put together $2 million in scholarship for the town’s high school students, for the kindness and generosity shown to them at a time of need.
It’s a musical that will melt your heart. A musical that celebrates human kindness in the midst of a disaster. A musical about a heavy topic but delivered with so much humanity, so much humility, so much genuine care that you can’t help but laugh along with the characters, as they try to address the surreal events unfolding in front of their eyes.
Most importantly, Come From Away will make you believe in people, in humanity again. ❤️
Hamilton
One of my favorite shows, and one that continues to amaze me.
Even though I know the narrative (third visit and soundtrack on repeat), my emotions were still sent through a roller coaster ride with the characters. Javier Muñoz is incredible as Hamilton. Thayne Jasperson is fantastic and having waaaay too much fun as King George. Love Gregory Treco as George Washington and Syndee Winters for bringing us inside of Angelica. Among the ensemble, wonderful job Kim Taylor!
Hamilton: Jon Roa on Dance
Hamilton and post-show curtain chat with the cast. My favorite is Jon Rua‘s response on the role of dance in Hamilton (paraphrased).
“If the musical was a book, then the choreography would be the pages of the book. It’s the thing that people see. As for the dancers, they not only tell the story of Hamilton, but they are the story. Dancers have nothing but their body as their instrument. They are like the immigrants who arrive in America with no money, no family, and no friends. They fill the stage, tell a story, and create everything out of nothing.”