Trinity Hall’s Queen Court Company (QCC) is set to bring a powerful and uplifting story to the stage with its upcoming production of “Come From Away”, the Tony and Oliver-winning musical based on true events. Centered on the days following 9/11, the show tells the story of 7,000 airline passengers stranded in Gander, Newfoundland, and the small Canadian town that welcomed them with open arms.
Rather than focusing on tragedy, “Come From Away” shines a light on humanity at its best. The characters are based on real residents and the travelers they housed and fed, and the story follows how strangers became friends through generosity, humor and compassion. With a folk-inspired score and fast-paced storytelling, the show celebrates resilience, kindness and the power of community.
Peyton Muscarello ‘27, who plays Annette, explains the heart of the show best: “The purpose of ‘Come From Away’ is not to relive the events of September 11, 2001. The purpose is to remember the community that the United States and other countries shared the following days. The characters in the story, many being real people, all share the common goal of getting people back to safety in their homes. The show is comedic, historical and uses clever techniques to represent the kindness that was shared throughout the world.”
That balance of emotion is something the cast has worked hard to capture. Kate Skrocki ‘27, who plays the role of Bob, describes the show as “funny, sad, eye opening all it one.” She added, “We're truly doing our best to convey all of the emotions on that stage and I can't wait for the audience to see that.”
For Janin Szalkowski ‘27, who brings the mayor of Gander, Claude, to life on stage, the message of the musical can be summed up simply: “I would describe this show in one word as hopeful. The story follows a dark moment in our history, but what emerges is hope and love found from shared community and support.”
Taking on such a meaningful story comes with responsibility, and the cast is well aware of the legacy of the show. Emily Dragotti ‘27, who takes on the role of Beulah, shares, “We have such big shoes to fill when telling this incredible story, but if any group of students can do it, it’s the QCC!”
Mrs. Lauren Brancato believes in the talent of the actors on stage as well, as she explains, "As musical director, I am so proud of the ensemble spirit our students have brought to ‘Come From Away.’ They’ve worked tirelessly to master difficult harmonies while honoring the real people behind these stories with empathy and care. Their kindness and teamwork truly reflect the heart of this show.”
Behind the scenes, crews have been dedicated to bringing Gander to life on stage. The sets team has come together to design a space that reflects the simplicity and warmth of the town. Sets leader Kailyn Lehan ‘26 explains, “We looked at sets from past productions of the musical and used those as inspiration. Planning was a bit different for this show since the set is more limited, so we had to be more creative with how we designed it. We’re most excited for the audience to see parts of the set that represent this area of Canada, since they help make the show feel more authentic to where the story takes place.”
The costumes team is also facing a unique challenge with this production. Costumes leader Maggie Havens ‘26 notes, “For this production the costume team's skill set is being challenged in a whole new way. Instead of using our talents to create and design period costumes we are tasked with being stylists and figuring out a way to convey a character's role through their modern day goals.” These choices will help the audience to quickly understand who each character is while staying true to the real people they represent, as half of the 42 students on stage play multiple roles.
Director and theater teacher Ellen Phillips is especially excited for this year’s performances. Mrs. Phillips has always been a huge fan of the show and she is proud of Trinity Hall being the first school in Monmouth County to stage the production. Phillips emphasizes that while the show is rooted in real history, its focus is on compassion. “While it is about what happened on 9/11, it is not a reenactment of what happened in New York. It is a story of good, kind people that did kind things for those in need. It’s more about that than any dark themes, “ she shares.
Student director Ava Santamaria echoes this sentiment, adding, “The story shows how choosing generosity and kindness can lead to something truly extraordinary. This show reminds us how even in the darkest moments, we still show up for each other. This story isn't just about the past; it speaks to the present.”
With a dedicated cast, hardworking crews, and a message that feels just as relevant today, the QCC’s production of “Come From Away” promises to be an unforgettable experience. Performances will take place on Friday, March 6 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 7 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, March 8 at 2:30 p.m. at Forrestdale School Theater. Ticket reservations for all performances are available here.