Kindness of strangers on 9/11 exemplified in 'Come From Away'

“Come From Away” is a heartwarming story that’s even more special because it really happened.

The first national tour of the new Broadway musical, coming to Benedum Center April 9-14 for eight performances, takes a look at the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, from the perspective of nearly 7,000 stranded passengers on 38 planes that were grounded and diverted to the remote town of Gander, Newfoundland, Canada, when U.S. air space was closed after the attacks, shutting down international air travel.

The compassionate treatment the strangers received by the residents of Gander for four days was life-changing for many of those that experienced it, including Kevin Tuerff of Austin, Texas, who was traveling home from a vacation in France when his plane was rerouted.

Grace under pressure

“We couldn’t bring luggage off the plane, so we all had nothing,” said Tuerff. “We needed food, shelter, clothing – and they provided it without thinking twice, opening their homes to total strangers. It was grace under pressure.” They even turned the town’s hockey rink into a temporary large refrigerator for people to store food.

He went on to write a book about his experience, “Channel of Peace: Stranded in Gander on 9/11,” and he moved to New York City where he now volunteers at his church that works to help immigrants and refugees seeking asylum.

Actor Andrew Samonsky plays the role of Kevin T. in “Come From Away,” as well as several other roles in a cast of 12 actors that portray people from the actual event.

Samonsky, who previously acted on Broadway in “South Pacific,” “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” and “Scandalous,” said he was moved by the musical when he saw it on Broadway, before he considered auditioning for a role in the national tour.

“My wife and I were floored; we were laughing and crying at the same time,” he said after seeing the show. “I told her, this is why you go to the theater.”

Emotional connection

He is excited to be touring with a “dream” show and he believes audiences will connect emotionally with “Come From Away.”

“The show has a big future ahead of it,” he said. “There aren’t a lot of shows like it, based on something real that most of us can relate to. It’s a very personal show and to be able to connect to the audience, who are really part of the show, is a special experience.”

The music in the show includes traditional musical theater styles and songs that reflect the Celtic-Irish-folk influence that is typical of the Newfoundland region, Samonsky said. One of his favorite numbers is a song titled “Prayer” in which he has a solo.

Beautiful interfaith moment

“I start singing the St. Francis prayer and it turns into what the real Kevin T. talks about in becoming closer to the faith,” he said, “with Catholics, Hindus, Muslims and Jews joining the song in an interfaith moment that is really beautiful.”

The actor said he hopes the show causes audiences to reflect on the generosity of total strangers during a time of crisis and ask themselves, “Would I have done the same thing?”

“I certainly hope so,” he said. “I hope it inspires people to welcome kindness, especially in our lives today. “There’s never too much kindness to be had in the world.”

Canadian husband-and-wife team Irene Sankoff and David Hein wrote the book, music and lyrics for “Come From Away,” which was nominated for seven Tony Awards and won a Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical for Christopher Ashley.

Know the show

Pittsburgh Cultural Trust will offer its “Know the Show Before You Go” lecture series for “Come From Away” free for those with a performance ticket, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. April 10 at the Trust Arts Education Center, 807 Liberty Ave.. Refreshments will be served. Registration is at trustarts.org.