Texarkana, Texas – The Texarkana Repertory Company (TexRep) kicked off its 35th season on Friday with a production of the acclaimed musical Come From Away. While the show is set in the immediate aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the company emphasizes that the production is ultimately a celebration of human kindness rather than a recounting of tragedy.
Local audience, global story
Cast member Ruth Ellen Whitt told the audience, “It’s about people coming together.” Director Michael Cooper added that the show’s core message is that “we are all more alike than we are different.” The musical dramatizes the real‑life experience of roughly 7,000 airline passengers who were diverted to the small Newfoundland town of Gander when U.S. airspace was closed on Sept. 11, 2001. The town’s residents opened their homes, provided food, clothing, medication and a way for travelers to contact loved ones.
TexRep’s production uses a minimalist set—12 chairs and a few tables—to become airplanes, buses, bars and other locations. Twelve actors portray more than 50 characters, shifting roles with quick costume changes and fluid movement. Whitt described the experience as “joyous and soaring music,” noting that the show balances somber moments with “truly hysterical” scenes.
Why the musical matters now
According to Whitt, the timing of the production is intentional. The opening night fell on Sept. 11, the anniversary of the attacks, offering a hopeful alternative to simply reliving the darkness of that day. “It’s not really about 9/11,” she said. “It’s about something wonderful that came out of the horror.” The story highlights ordinary people’s capacity to care for one another—a theme that resonates with Texarkana’s own history of neighborly aid, such as the community’s response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Audiences will see a range of human experiences: a woman learning her New York firefighter son has died, a couple who meet during the crisis and later marry, and a female American Airlines pilot whose plane was among those diverted. Light‑hearted moments include a Newfoundland tradition of welcoming stranded passengers as honorary Newfoundlanders with dancing, singing and even a kiss on a cod.
Community involvement and ticket information
TexRep will present Come From Away six times over two consecutive weekends, beginning Friday, Sept. 11, at the Stilwell Theater on the Texarkana College campus. Discounts are available for first responders, Texarkana College staff and students, and patrons who bring donations for the local SPCA. Full showtimes and ticket details are posted on texrep.org.
The production joins a busy season that also includes Pride and Prejudice in November, Peter Pan Goes Wrong in February, and The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical in May. As Whitt noted, the popularity of Come From Away worldwide reflects a hunger for stories that emphasize generosity, compassion and the power of community—values that align with the spirit of Texarkana.
“If you’re hoping for a harbor, then you’ll find an open door,” Whitt quoted from the show, underscoring the message TexRep hopes to leave with its audience: in times of crisis, compassion can turn strangers into family.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
