Small world

It can be a very small world.  We all remember where we were when we heard of the 9/11 attacks and the collapse of the Twin Towers in NYC.  Given jazz and a couple of visits, I feel quite a connection to NYC.  It's easy to feel that, given its ubiquity in modern culture.  But what of real connections?  I had a first cousin there on 9/11 with an apartment facing the Empire State building and that was considered a possible target.  We visited NYC just a week before the Occupy Wall Street demos and it was the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and I carelessly missed a Presidential cavalcade in town for the memorial.  And most relevantly, Megan had a second cousin who was deviated to Gander airport, Newfoundland, on 9/11.  I read his diary entry before attending Come from Away.  Come from Away is a Broadway musical now at the Canberra Theatre.  It tells the story of Operation Yellow Ribbon, when the US closed its airspace due to the terrorist attacks and Canada hosted diverted flights.  Gander had been a major refuelling stop in the days of prop planes, but was then reduced and attached to a town of ~9,000.  But for these several days, the town doubled and the visitors were well supported.  There must be tons of associated stories.  This musical has 12 cast and a small band that presents an array of people and narratives.   Some are to be expected (obviously the unexpected love story) and some are deeply touching (a female friendship of a local and a visitor who's son is a fireman in NYC or the pilot mother chasing a pilot son).  The cast all play an array of parts and the script is machine-gunned at times.  There's plenty of humour and some inevitable loss, initial confusion and distrust and developing respect and love.  I love musical voices and the harmonies were hugely pleasing at times.  I was initially disconcerted by the accents (to my ear almost Irish, but maybe that's Newfoundlanese) and then by the music and dance (which were again Irish-like), all heels up, bodrham, fiddle, squeezebox and mandolin (and drum kit, violin, telecaster, JB, keys at other times).  I'm still pondering if there's a connection.  The cast were on stage virtually throughout so I could only admire their stage-fitness.  This was a demanding gig.  The stage was pretty simple, a timber backdrop, some suggested trees, tables and chairs.  Amusingly, a scene of two lovers admiring scenery had them idling along as the stage revolved and chairs were moved for their calm stroll.  That worked!  Much did.  There were laughs a plenty and a standing ovation from a full house for an obviously well prepared cast.  Impressive and not at all easy.  We learnt of Gander, of this specific aspect of 9/11, felt the goodwill and also the desperation and loss and fear associated with the act.  Interesting.  It was a small world for these people who eventually flew into Texas, even if our local connection was more distant and mediated by media.  But we all know this event and this is a positive aspect of a terrible tragedy.  Much enjoyed.

PS.  Thanks to Canberra Theatre Centre who provided us with a few gratis tickets.  Also, thanks to the Canberra Theatre Centre Come from Away site for the pic.  Given no pics in the theatre and the CTC invitation and this report, I guess it's OK borrow this pic.

Come from Away was a musical with thematic connections to 9/11 at Canberra Theatre.