Some people have things they absolutely adore. Maybe it's shopping, maybe they love their work, maybe they're happiest around puppies and kittens. As many people know I have that, I love seeing shows. But in particular, I find myself always returning to Come From Away. Some people might say "Why are you so in love with a musical about 9/11?" Well to that I say, it's the story that they tell.
I had put the show on my list of things to see, purely because I thought I should see everything that was up for best musical at the 2017 Tony Awards, even if it was after the fact. I kept seeing ads with the music and since it kept getting stuck in my head I figured I would go. I had over a month between buying my ticket and seeing the show for the first time and in that time I fell in love with it. I listened to the music constantly, trying to get a feel for what it was so I wouldn't be completely surprised when the show started. I found myself so invested in it, that by the time I finished listening to it all the way through the first time I was so impatient to see it, even starting a countdown on my phone. After the first time I saw it, I walked to get a cab and in my head I knew that I wanted to take everyone I knew to see the show.
So several days later I bought my ticket to go again. I had no doubt whatsoever that I would enjoy it as much as I did the first time, but I was wrong. I enjoyed it even more. So naturally, I said I needed to go again. And I've never had this experience with another show. I ended up seeing Matilda twice purely by coincidence, and I only saw The Great Comet twice to gain a different perspective. But Come From Away somehow ended up meaning a lot to me.
When I entered the theater for the third time this summer, I already had chills. Granted, the air conditioner was blasting, but I knew what I was going to get to see, and I was so excited. I got to see the incredible Julie Reiber as Janice and others because Kendra Kassebaum recently left the company. I also got to see De'Lon Grant as Bob and others, who recently joined the company. Both of them were fantastic. And once again I went to the stage door and met almost the entire cast, minus one person. They are all absolutely lovely and one of the best casts on Broadway.
So why do I keep going back to Come From Away? Because the uplifting message and kindness of the people involved make it one of the best parts of my life.