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Canadian 9/11-inspired musical ‘Come From Away’ earns raves in Broadway debut

NEW YORK — Canadian musical Come From Away has scored critical raves in its official Broadway debut.
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The cast from Come From Away is shown in this undated handout photo. The Canadian musical has scored critical raves in its official Broadway debut. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO

NEW YORK — Canadian musical Come From Away has scored critical raves in its official Broadway debut.

The story is set in Gander, N.L., which sheltered thousands of passengers and crew from planes after U.S. air space was closed following the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

Sunday marked the show’s official opening on Broadway and the New York Times chief theatre critic Ben Brantley wrote that “even the most stalwart cynics may have trouble staying dry-eyed.”

He described Come From Away as “(a) portrait of heroic hospitality under extraordinary pressure.”

The Washington Post theatre critic Peter Marks wrote that the “effervescent musical, enveloped in Canadian goodwill, is an antidote for what ails the American soul.”

Theatre critic Marilyn Stasio of trade publication Variety described Come From Away as “that feel-good show that audiences constantly pine for,” and called the homegrown production “modest,” “earnest” and “life-affirming.”