Exciting News from Mouse River Players!
We’re proud to announce our upcoming production of the Tony Award-winning musical Come From Away — the inspiring true story of kindness, courage, and community on 9/11.
Opening Night: Friday, September 11, 2026
More performance dates, times, and ticket information will be released soon. Mark your calendars — you won’t want to miss this powerful, uplifting show!Stay tuned for details at mouseriverplayers.org or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.We can’t wait to welcome you to the theater!
Come From Away is more than a musical!
Come From Away is more than a musical — it's a heartfelt tribute to extraordinary human kindness during one of history's darkest days. The Tony-nominated show (book, music, and lyrics by Canadian husband-and-wife team Irene Sankoff and David Hein) tells the true story of the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, which welcomed nearly 7,000 stranded airline passengers after U.S. airspace closed on September 11, 2001.
The Real Events That Inspired It (September 11–16, 2001)
When the FAA shut down American airspace at 9:26 a.m. on 9/11, inbound transatlantic flights were diverted to Canada under Operation Yellow Ribbon. Gander International Airport — a former refueling hub on the northeast tip of Newfoundland — suddenly received 38 wide-body planes carrying 6,579 passengers and crew (plus 19 animals).Gander’s population of roughly 10,000 nearly doubled overnight. Passengers remained on planes for up to 12+ hours before being bused to schools, churches, legion halls, and homes. Locals cooked meals, donated clothing and toiletries, organized entertainment, and even held a wedding and a funeral. By September 16, every diverted plane had departed — but lifelong friendships remained.A famous local quote captures the spirit:“On day one we had 7,000 strangers, on day three we had 7,000 friends, and on day five we lost 7,000 family members.”
Why It Still Resonates — Especially in 2026
Come From Away celebrates compassion over fear, community over division. It has become one of the most-produced musicals in North America in recent seasons and continues to be staged by regional and community theaters worldwide.For Mouse River Players’ production opening on September 11, 2026 — the exact 25th anniversary of the events — the timing feels profoundly meaningful. Audiences will experience not just a Broadway hit, but a living reminder that even on the worst day, humanity can shine brightest.