STERLING — A small town opens its doors to strangers. Friendships are formed across cultures and continents. Ordinary people discover extraordinary reserves of generosity, compassion, and hope. This is the heart of “Come From Away,” the acclaimed Broadway musical that will be presented by the Sterling Community Theatre Troupe as part of Sterling’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July celebration.
Performances will be held Thursday and Friday, July 2 and 3, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, July 5, at 2 p.m. in the Betsy Dutton Theatre at Sterling High School. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for students and will be available at the door prior to each performance.
Directed by Dennis Dutton and written by the award-winning husband-and-wife team of Irene Sankoff and David Hein, “Come From Away” has become one of the most beloved musicals of the 21st century. Filled with humor, warmth, and an energetic Celtic-inspired score, the musical celebrates the power of community and the connections that can emerge between people from vastly different backgrounds.
The true story behind the musical began on Sept. 11, 2001, when U.S. airspace was closed and 38 commercial airliners were diverted to the small town of Gander, Newfoundland. Nearly 7,000 passengers suddenly found themselves stranded in a community of fewer than 10,000 residents. What followed was an extraordinary outpouring of hospitality as local residents welcomed the unexpected visitors and forged friendships that would last long after the travelers returned home.
One of the show’s most remarkable features is its staging. The entire story is told by just 12 actors portraying a combined 153 characters. Through quick transitions, accents, movement, and simple costume changes, performers transform seamlessly from townspeople to pilots, passengers, and crew members, creating a theatrical experience unlike almost any other musical.
The cast brings together performers from Sterling, Hutchinson, and Pratt. Cast members include Betsy Dutton, Piper Harding, Amy Brownlee, Larry Brownlee, Will Dutton, Ean Heise, Bryson Brownlee, and Mason Lockhart, all of Sterling; Dashona Mahoney and Whitney Lansdowne of Hutchinson; and Ben Jones and Katie Fox of Pratt. In addition to their principal roles, each performer portrays numerous other characters throughout the production.
Together, the 12 performers bring to life 153 characters, a feat that has become one of the musical’s signature features and one of the reasons audiences continue to be captivated by the production around the world.
Dutton believes the show’s message makes it a particularly fitting production for a community celebration.
“‘Come From Away’ is ultimately a story about people choosing kindness,” he said. “It’s about opening doors, welcoming strangers, and discovering that we have more in common than we might imagine. Those themes feel especially meaningful during a holiday that celebrates community and brings people together.”
Community members and visitors alike are encouraged to make “Come From Away” part of their Fourth of July weekend celebration and experience a powerful and uplifting theatrical event that celebrates the very best of the human spirit.
