Somerset County VoTech High School To Stage 'Come From Away'

BRIDGEWATER — The Theater Arts Program at Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School will present Come From Away on Nov. 19, 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the SCVTHS Auditorium.

The musical is based on the true story of how the town of Gander, Newfoundland, responded to the events of 9/11.

According to the school’s announcement, U.S. airspace was closed to all flights that morning out of concern about further terrorist attacks, leaving planes already in the air with nowhere to go.

Thirty-eight of those flights were diverted to Gander, a town of 10,000 people.

Come From Away tells the story of how residents welcomed more than 6,500 stranded passengers during a period of uncertainty and fear.

The musical was written by Irene Sankoff and David Hein. It first performed on Broadway in 2017 and was nominated for seven Tony Awards, winning Best Direction of a Musical, according to the announcement.

The production also received recognition in London. During its 2019 run there, it was nominated for nine Olivier Awards and won Best New Musical.

SCVTHS said its Theater Arts students have been preparing the production with a large cast and backstage crew.

The ensemble cast includes Anushka Khedlekar, Maya Little, Gwynivere Elefante, Ryleigh DeWees, Sam DeWacker, Sarah Craft, Marc Leonardis, Oliver Shoaf, Max Dvorkin, Logan Ebersole, Carly Giuliano, Lucas DePaul, Tayten Kieffer, Phoenix Moore, Liahna Reyes, Ava LoRe, Frankie Gulyas, Emma Skobo, Aniya Phillips, Liliana Sanchez, Emma Allison, Bridget Rice, Alexandra Rooney, Nora Glynn-Bove, Michaela Opalenik, Jamie Byun and Kamiya Martin.

Behind the scenes, student Assistant Director Ella Cirincione and Stage Manager Olivia Tang are leading a crew that includes Nikki Bhatta, Mackenzie Csontos, Gia Dawson, Sehaj Dhillon, Samantha Petito, Bridget Reilly, Luna Winslow and Izzy Zimmerman.

Tickets are free for SCVTHS staff and students. Adult general admission tickets cost $10, reserved seats are $15, non-SCVTHS student tickets are $5, and tickets for seniors and veterans are $8.

Tickets can be ordered online at scvths.booktix.com or purchased at the box office the night of the performance.

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