The musical Come From Away is based on a real-life story that unfolded in Gander, a small town in Newfoundland, Canada, following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States. After the attacks, the Federal Aviation Administration halted all air traffic, causing 38 international flights carrying around 7,000 passengers and crew to be diverted to Gander. With no prior warning, the town’s residents stepped in to provide food, shelter, and emotional support to the stranded travelers. This remarkable act of kindness became the foundation for the musical, which was created by Irene Sankoff and David Hein. Sankoff and Hein, who were living in New York City at the time of the 9/11 attacks, were initially unaware of the events in Gander. They later learned about the town’s response and were inspired by both the generosity of the Gander residents and the resilience of New Yorkers in the aftermath of the tragedy. To develop the musical, they traveled to Gander in 2011 for the 10th-anniversary reunion of the event. There, they conducted interviews with both the stranded passengers and the locals, using these firsthand accounts to craft the show's narrative and lyrics. Come From Away premiered on Broadway in March 2017 and received critical acclaim, winning three Drama Desk Awards and a Tony Award for best director. It ran on Broadway for over five years before taking a temporary hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic. The show has since been produced globally and is now available on Apple TV+ in a live capture featuring the original Broadway cast. The musical draws inspiration from works like A Chorus Line and The Laramie Project, using real-life stories to create a cohesive and emotionally resonant narrative. The creators of Come From Away combined the experiences of the 7,000 stranded passengers and the 9,000 residents of Gander to highlight themes of kindness, unity, and resilience. While the locals viewed their actions as routine, the stranded passengers saw them as extraordinary. The show has touched audiences of all ages, offering insight into the events of 9/11 and emphasizing the importance of community in times of crisis. The musical was first performed in Gander, where it was met with overwhelming emotion and joy, and its Apple TV+ version was recorded as the world began to recover from the pandemic, drawing parallels between the two global crises. Come From Away has been performed worldwide, from Korea to Sweden and Japan, inspiring audiences to reflect on how their own communities respond to tragedy. The show has become a symbol of hope, reinforcing the belief in human goodness and the idea that light can emerge from darkness. Its message of compassion and solidarity continues to resonate with people around the world.