Hello! As of August 29, 2018, New York City was still in the middle of a lingering summer heat wave, with temperatures around 32 to 35 degrees Celsius and humidity near 70 percent. This time, I was invited by one of our partner companies to try out the new Japanese version of a translation app designed specifically for Broadway musicals. I went to see Come From Away to test it out.
The show is based on the true story of what happened right after the September 11 attacks, when all planes flying through U.S. airspace were ordered to make emergency landings. A total of 38 planes carrying about 7,000 passengers were diverted to a small town in Canada. Since the story is deeply connected to real historical events, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to try the translation app and fully understand every part of the musical.
Table of Contents
About Come From Away
The story follows 38 planes carrying about 7,000 passengers from around the world that were forced to make emergency landings due to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. All of them landed in a small town called Gander in Newfoundland, Canada, where they stayed for several days.
The musical is based on the true events that took place during those weeks in September 2001, when the people of Gander came together to care for and welcome every stranded passenger.
Nominated for seven Tony Awards in 2017
Its inspiring story of human kindness across racial and cultural boundaries was highly praised, making it one of the most celebrated shows of that season. For more details about the plot and highlights, please see the full show page below.
Theater location: right in the heart of the Shubert district
Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre
Address: 236 W 45th St, New York, NY 10036
For more about the history, seating map, and architectural details of the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, please see the link below.
If you are planning to post on Instagram, try taking a photo like this with the stage in the background.
*Available beers: Heineken and Coors Light.
Our seats for the show
How to read your ticket: ORCHO N 21
Row N (14th from the front), seat number 21
These seats were located on the left side near the wall. Since the show was sold out, we didn’t expect to get particularly good seats even as invited guests, and that assumption turned out to be correct. The orchestra section has only 19 rows, so row 14 is toward the back. Although the mezzanine slightly overhangs this area, it doesn’t block the view. From seat 21, the angle to the stage was noticeable but still comfortable enough to enjoy the performance.
In this theater, vertical position matters more than horizontal
Our seats were directly under the mezzanine overhang, and unfortunately, a tall person was seated right in front of Kaneki from our team. As a result, the view was obstructed both from above and below. Therefore, if you plan to sit in the orchestra section, we recommend choosing seats within the first 14 rows, before the mezzanine begins to hang over the audience.
Check out the official merchandise during intermission
Whether for a souvenir or a personal keepsake, Broadway merchandise is always worth checking out. According to one of the staff members, the best selling item was the original cast recording, which makes sense considering the show was nominated for Best Original Score at the 2017 Tony Awards. The merchandise selection is diverse, with small items starting at about $10 and T shirts from around $30. Both cash and credit cards are accepted.
*Click the images to enlarge
Come From Away – post show impressions
Before seeing this musical, all I knew was that it was a 100-minute, no intermission production performed by an ensemble of 12 actors, each playing multiple roles, and that there was no clear main character. I honestly had no idea what to expect.
Once the show began, I was surprised to find that, despite the serious backdrop of the 9/11 attacks, the opening scenes were full of quick American humor. It moves along at a steady, understated pace. Still, I quickly realized one thing: there is a lot of dialogue! The show features constant exchanges within songs, with lines delivered rapid fire throughout. The language level felt quite advanced, so I ended up relying heavily on the translation app during the first half.
A fast pace unlike any other musical
That speed keeps things engaging, but at first it was honestly hard to tell who was playing which role at any given time. Without the GalaPro translation app, I probably would’ve been lost during the first half.
The story of the first female American airline captain is inspiring
From the first few bars, it sounds like a catchy, radio friendly tune, but it soon shifts keys and builds into a powerful, emotional anthem. The melody perfectly expresses her pride, courage, and perseverance as a pioneer in aviation, making it one of the standout moments of the entire production.
A heartfelt story that goes beyond tragedy
While the story is rooted in a heartbreaking event, it ultimately focuses on the humanity that emerges from crisis: how the people of Gander opened their arms to complete strangers. The show balances sadness with humor and compassion, blending laughter and tears in equal measure. It offers a deeply human look at what was happening far from the disaster sites, a powerful another side of 9/11 that most of us never knew about.
What if I had been one of those passengers?
The show even depicts this exact situation, showing townspeople using gestures and patience to communicate with travelers who don’t speak English. Among the passengers are people from many backgrounds, some indifferent to America’s struggles, others with loved ones working as firefighters in New York. The musical captures how the same situation can feel completely different depending on one’s circumstances.
Despite the chaos, the people of Gander treat everyone with kindness and empathy. This is not a fairytale or a dramatized miracle story. it is a raw, human, and deeply touching documentary style musical that transcends language and culture, reminding us of what genuine compassion looks like.
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