Come From Away

Zach Theatre is bringing Come From Away to the Topfer Mainstage, with performances running Wednesday through Sunday from August 19 to September 27, 2026. It's a Tony Award-winning musical by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, and if you've never heard of it, it's based on a true story that's hard to believe but entirely real.

On September 11, 2001, 38 planes were diverted from US airspace, and seven of them landed in Gander, a tiny town in Newfoundland, Canada. That brought 7,000 airline passengers into a community that had never seen anything like it. The locals didn't just let them stay; they took them into their homes and their lives. The show follows those weeks when the town became a temporary home for people from all over the world, and it's as much about the townspeople as it is about the passengers.

The music is a big part of the experience—a Celtic folk and bluegrass-inspired score that carries the whole thing. It opened on Broadway in 2017 and has since become a global phenomenon. It's described as a deeply moving international sensation that reminds us of the power of kindness, connection, and resilience. Sabrina Wallace of Austin Broadway World caught a performance on August 27 and called it a warm, lively, and spirited communal experience.

There are a few things to keep in mind before you book. The show is licensed by and presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International, and it does make reference to the events of 9/11, xenophobia, and strong language, so it's recommended for ages 10 and up. Tickets start at $28, and you can find them at the Zach Theatre box office or online.