How a Small Canadian Town Taught the World to Be Kind

The Miracle of Gander

When the towers fell on September 11, 2001, the world was plunged into darkness. But in a small Canadian town called Gander, something remarkable happened. The locals didn't just react to tragedy—they became its antidote.

That day, nearly 40 international flights were forced to land at Gander's airport, carrying over 7,000 passengers and crew members who'd been stranded for hours in the sky. What followed wasn't just a story of survival—it was a masterclass in community spirit and human kindness.

Irene Sankoff and David Hein, the husband-and-wife team behind the award-winning musical "Come From Away," didn't set out to create a masterpiece. They were simply two artists who'd been touched by the story of Gander's extraordinary response to the crisis.

Hein, who grew up listening to Newfoundland folk music, recalls how the locals had such an instinctive understanding of community—"Music is how the Newfoundlanders get through hard times. They have terrible winters out there, and they all come together in kitchen parties and play music and tell stories."

"It was at a benefit concert to give back to the survivors of 9/11 and the family members, and so, as soon as that music started, I turned to David, and I was like, 'Oh my God, you're right, it is a musical.'"

Irene Sankoff

From Interview to Musical

The couple began their journey by visiting Gander in 2011, during the 10th anniversary of the attacks. They wanted to understand what happened, and more importantly, how the community had responded.

Sankoff and Hein weren't just collecting facts—they were gathering voices, stories, and emotions. "We conducted research while visiting Gander during the 10th-year reunion held in 2011," they wrote in their book, "with a book and lyrics taken from their interviews, and a score infused with folk music."

The result? A musical that captures not just the events, but the spirit of the people involved. As Hein explains, "The locals in Newfoundland told us how ordinary the response was. They said, 'This is just what anyone would do.' And what's been amazing has been, time and time again, people from around the world saying, 'This was extraordinary.'"

The genius of their approach was in making the extraordinary ordinary—and the ordinary extraordinary.

Characters Who Are Real People

One of the most striking aspects of "Come From Away" is how it transforms real people into unforgettable characters. Sankoff and Hein were careful to preserve the essence of each individual while creating a coherent narrative that spans thousands of stories.

"We often say that we were telling the story of 7,000 passengers who were on the tarmac and 9,000 locals in Newfoundland, so we were telling 16,000 stories," Hein says. "So to make it just coherent for people, we met a lot of women named Diane and a lot of men named Kevin, and we had to consolidate some stories together."

But here's where the magic happens: they didn't just compress stories—they enhanced them with musical storytelling that captures both humor and heart. The real people behind these characters were thrilled with how their experiences were represented.

"These were people that we made friends with. We got 'screeched in' with Nick and Diane and Beverly Bass."

Irene Sankoff

Hein recalls one of the most endearing moments: "We kissed the cod! But Irene, who has a slight fish phobia, could not kiss the fish, and Claude, Mayor Elliott, who was running the ceremony, very graciously said, 'I'll make you a deal: you can either kiss the fish, or you can kiss me.'"

The Brave Kindness of Everyday Heroes

"Come From Away" doesn't romanticize kindness—it presents it as the braver choice. In a world where we're often told to be cautious and suspicious, these people chose compassion.

"It's the bravery of being kind," Hein reflects. "People were getting off the planes, and they still hadn't seen any of the images [of the attacks] by that time, after being cooped up on planes for 28 hours, and then eventually winding up in a hall with TVs set up. But on the other hand, the locals were also just getting the news, and were being told that any of the planes might be bomb threats, and yet still people were climbing into the holds to take care of the animals, and they were welcoming these people into their homes without knowing who they were."

This wasn't just about helping strangers—it was about recognizing that kindness is a choice, not an obligation.

Art That Transcends Time and Place

Twenty-five years after 9/11, "Come From Away" continues to resonate with audiences across the globe. It's not merely a story of a past event—it's a testament to human resilience.

"We've been surprised that the show resonates with young people and old alike, for people who weren't alive at the time when 9/11 happened," Hein shares. "We've seen kids come up with [Captain] Beverly Bass on their shirt. A young Muslim woman said that this show helped her understand why the world changed that day, and what actually happened."

The musical has been performed in Korea, Sweden, Japan, and even China, where the story's universal themes of community and hope find new audiences.

"We've shown people around the world, and they are coming to Gander, and they are filling the hotels, and filling the restaurants, and showing them, in a million different ways, that they're thankful for the inspiration, for the hope that we saw the first time in 2011."

David Hein

Live Concerts and the Future of Storytelling

As we approach the 25th anniversary of 9/11, a special event is scheduled in New York City to commemorate this moment. Former Broadway and national tour company members of "Come From Away" will reunite for a free, one-time-only concert event to commemorate 25 years since the attacks.

This live performance isn't just nostalgia—it's a continuation of the story that began in Gander. As Hein puts it, "It was so joyous to bring our family back together, to bring these people back to work, and to create some art that had something to say, that reminded us that there can be light after darkness again."

"Come From Away" is more than a musical—it's a living reminder of what humanity can achieve when kindness wins over fear. In a time when we're often divided by politics and prejudice, the message is clear: even in our darkest moments, we have the power to be extraordinary.

Final Thoughts

Sankoff and Hein's journey from New York City residents to Broadway legends was fueled not by ambition but by a deep respect for their subject matter. They didn't write a musical about 9/11—they wrote one about people who made the world a better place when it needed help most.

The story of Gander isn't just a chapter in history; it's a blueprint for hope. And with every performance, "Come From Away" reminds us that kindness is never out of style—it's always timely.