An Afternoon in Toronto — Finally Seeing Come From Away

I have been wanting to see the show Come From Away for a few years. We had tickets once, but then covid hit and everything was canceled. Since then, we've been trying to go and then somehow... we just never did. Life, schedules, the usual. But finally, finally, I made it happen. John wasn't keen on it (he doesn't like musicals) so I called my sister. Tickets booked, afternoon cleared, no excuses.

We headed into Toronto, giddy like little kids on a field trip. Honestly, just being back downtown felt exciting. There’s something about Toronto that always feels a bit electric — the energy, the people, even just grabbing a coffee feels like an event. Even though I only live 40 minutes from the downtown core, I don't go downtown often enough.


The show was at the Royal Alexandra Theatre, which is just... gorgeous. It’s one of those places that feels frozen in time — all velvet seats, gold details, and this feeling like you’re stepping into something special the moment you walk through the door. We found our seats (after the usual chaos of snacks, coats, and bathroom breaks) and just sat there for a second soaking it all in before the house lights went down.

Come From Away - based on a true story

Come From Away is this beautiful, feel-good musical based on the true story of a tiny town in Newfoundland called Gander. After 9/11, when all the planes had to be grounded, 38 of them ended up landing there. Within 8 hours this small town had 7,000 unexpected guests from all over the world. The show is all about how the locals opened their homes and hearts to these strangers, and how, in the middle of such a dark time, people found kindness, laughter, and unexpected friendships. It’s fast-paced, funny, emotional, and just filled with so much heart — you can’t help but leave feeling a little better about the world.

The show was everything I wanted it to be, telling the story in a moving but fun and lighthearted way. Better still, it depicts the Newfoundlanders to be who they really are - the most down to earth and hospitable people on the planet.

After the show, we didn’t rush home. We wandered down King Street  and found a restaurant to have dinner at, chatting about the show and making plans to visit Newfoundland again (my sister has never been so it's time for a sister's trip.) It was a perfect afternoon!

If you want to see the story of Gander, Newfoundland, and the 7,000 passengers who were forced to land there that day, you can watch it here. It's worth the watch.

Comments

  1. What a fantastic "field trip" and the theater looks like the one Rich and I went on our blind date in 1965 in downtown Schenectady. Sounds like you had a wonderful afternoon and ending with dinner was perfect.

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  2. I love this story! Gander was so very kind to the 7000 passengers they hosted in their small town after 9/11. This play is on my bucket list. Canada is the best neighbor!!

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    Replies
    1. The Newfoundlanders are the best of Canadians!

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  3. How exciting for you both. It’s always fun to do a trip like this with your sister.

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  4. Oh my goodness, Barbara, goosebumps, big time! Up until recently I would have said, "Gander, never heard of it", but I met a fellow hockey mom who's from there, and she told me all about it.
    So glad you finally got to see the musical and made it a downtown adventure with your sister!

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  5. I’ve actually never heard of Come From Away before, but it sounds so beautiful and heartwarming! I love stories that remind us of all the good still out there.

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