Book, music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein
June 18 – August 2, 2026
38 planes. 6,579 passengers. 1 remarkable town.
In the wake of devastating events, the world held its breath. But in the remote town of Gander, Newfoundland, an extraordinary story of compassion and unexpected connection unfolded. When 38 planes carrying nearly 7,000 passengers were diverted to Gander, the small town’s residents opened their hearts and homes, transforming strangers into family. Called a “…celebration of the best of humankind” by the Daily Beast – don’t miss this remarkable true story of the days following 9/11, brought to life with a memorable, moving score by Tony® nominees Irene Sankoff and David Hein.
This production of COME FROM AWAY was licensed by Music Theatre International.
Press
Style Weekly I Interview I Northern Exposure
RVA Magazine I Review I Come From Away is the best we’ve ever been
Richmond Family Magazine I Interview I Thirty-eight Planes, 7,000 Passengers, and One Small Town with a Huge Heart
WRIC I Interview I 8News talks to Virginia Repertory Theater about ‘Come From Away’ production
Richmond Family Magazine I Review I Virginia Rep’s Come From Away Delivers Heart, Humor, and Hope
RVArt Review I Review I Come From Away
Photo by Aaron Sutten
Photo by Aaron Sutten
Photo by Aaron Sutten
Photo by Aaron Sutten
Photo by Aaron Sutten
Photo by Aaron Sutten
Photo by Aaron Sutten
Video Trailer
Footage by Artisan Creative Production
Please note: We do not sell tickets via third party vendors (GoTickets, StubHub, etc) and cannot confirm that tickets bought elsewhere will be genuine and they are often overpriced. If you have any questions, please call 804-282-2620.
Mobile tickets will be delivered 24 – 48 hours before your show.
Content Notice: The show features some adult language as well as themes of terrorism, panic, and grief. While it is generally recommended for audiences ages 10 and up, viewer discretion is advised regarding the intense emotional weight of the subject matter.
Presenting Sponsor
Show Sponsor
You Are Here: A Come From Away Story
June 1
In preparation for our upcoming Come From Away – we’re partnering with @thebyrdrva for a very special event! On June 1, come to the Byrd to join our cast, crew, and staff in watching YOU ARE HERE: A COME FROM AWAY STORY – a documentary about the true story of the 38 planes and almost 7000 passengers diverted to the small town of Gander, Newfoundland for five days following the closing of the US airspace directly after the events of 9/11/2001.
We’re also welcoming the film’s writer and director Moze Mossanen for a question and answer session about the film directly after the showing!
Tickets start at $10.43 and are available on the Byrd’s website (under Movies – then scroll to June 1). This will be a special and impactful event – and the perfect way to get ready for the show this summer!
Cast and Creative Team
Artistic Team
Rick has worked as an award-winning actor, director, filmmaker, and arts manager with more than three decades of experience, formerly based in Washington, DC.
Since relocating to Richmond and joining the leadership team at Virginia Repertory Theatre, he has directed Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (for which he received an RTCC Award for Best Direction of a Musical), Murder on the Orient Express, Waitress, Misery, Martha Mitchell Calling, After December, and most recently adapted and directed VA Rep’s A Christmas Carol.
He received a 2018 Helen Hayes Award for his direction of Lela & Co. and a 2020 Helen Hayes Award nomination for his direction of Agnes of God, both for Factory 449. Other directing credits include Dizzy Miss Lizzie’s Roadside Revue’s The Brontes (New York Musical Theatre Festival), Reykjavik (Rorschach Theatre), Emilie: La Marquise du Châtelet Defends Her Life Tonight (WSC Avant Bard), Driving Miss Daisy featuring Karen Grassle (Riverside Center for the Performing Arts), Junie B. Jones Is Not a Crook (Adventure Theatre MTC), Dead Man Walking (American University) and Closet Land (Factory 449).
As an actor, he has performed Off-Broadway and regionally, receiving a Helen Hayes Award for his turn as Hedwig in Signature Theatre’s production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, as well as nominations for his work in Angels in America (Signature Theatre), Me and Jezebel (MetroStage) and Oliver! (Adventure Theatre MTC).
His debut film, signage, which he wrote, directed, and produced, has screened in over 60 film festivals worldwide, receiving 6 film festival awards and was subsequently licensed by MTV’s LOGO Channel.
He is a founder and the current Producing Artistic Director of Factory 449, the recipient of multiple Helen Hayes Awards, including the John Aniello Award for Outstanding Emerging Theatre Company, and the Executive Director of the Washington Area Performing Arts Video Archive (WAPAVA).
As Virginia Rep’s Artistic Director, he provides leadership of our programming, including our strategic planning processes. He is also our key liaison with the national theatre industry.
804-783-1688 ext. 1262
Ellie Kahn
Music Direction
Ellie Kahn, she/her, (Music Director, Keyboard/Conductor) is a music director, vocalist, keyboardist, coach, and Emmy-winning composer. VA Rep debut. Selected REGIONAL: Little Women, Guys & Dolls (Riverside Center, FXBG), Come From Away (Milwaukee Rep.), Always… Patsy Cline, The Little Mermaid (Drury Lane Theatre), Never Better (world premiere, Theo Ubique), Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, Finding Nemo (Marriott Theatre), Fun Home (Paramount Theatre), Run Bambi Run (world premiere, Milwaukee Rep). Member of the music teams for SIX (US & international), Syd Norman’s Pour House (Norwegian Cruise Line), Baby Wants Candy, SHamilton (Second City, Chicago). Thanks, Meem & Dad, and for the Angel, always! #FreePalestine #AbolitionIsLove @elliekahn_
Brandon Kelly
Choreography
Brandon Kelly, he/him, (Choreographer) Is thrilled to make his Virginia Rep. debut! Credits include: Come From Away (Broadway/Tour: Asst. Choreo), Hard Road to Heaven (Bucks County Playhouse), The Drowsy Chaperone (Short North Stage), Escape to Margaritaville (Ogunquit Playhouse/Regional Premiere), Jersey Boys, The Bridges of Madison County (SSMT), RENT (CRT), Sweeney Todd, Cinderella (UC-CCM), Sweet Charity (Wright State University). brandonkellycreative.com
Chris Raintree
Scenic Design
Chris Raintree (Scenic Designer) is the Head of Scene Design at Virginia Commonwealth University. He holds a B.F.A. from Virginia Commonwealth University and an M.F.A. from Carnegie Mellon University. Select credits include The Bacchae of Euripides, The Crucible, A Chorus Line, Let The Right One In, Sense and Sensibility (VCUArts Theatre); Murder On The Orient Express, Misery, POTUS, 9 to 5, Chicken & Biscuits, Mr. Popper’s Penguins, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (Virginia Rep); Out The Mud, Burial Tax, Berta Berta, The Barber of Moville, Passing Strange, Songs From Bedlam, Desire Under The Elms (Firehouse Theatre); Moth, A Doll’s House (TheatreLAB); An Act of God, Seven Homeless Mammoths Wander New England (Richmond Triangle Players). Upcoming productions include Migdalia Cruz’s Macbeth (JMU), Romeo and Juliet, People, Places and Things (VCU).
Kendra Rai
Costume Design
Kendra Rai (Costume Design) is the Head of Design and Costumes at VCU but has done most of her design work up in the Washington DC area. Kendra received the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Costume Design in 2012, 2015, 2018, and 2025 and in addition has been a nominee for the award nine times. Kendra’s work has been seen at Olney Theatre Center, Signature Theatre, Round House Theatre, Adventure Theatre MTC, Opera Lafayette, Synetic Theatre, Constellation Theatre, New Victory Theater, Theater J, 1st Stage and Imagination Stage. Kendra is a Princess Grace Honorarium recipient and holds an MFA from Pennsylvania State University. Kendra adores teaching costume design and has held teaching posts at Howard University, University of Pittsburgh and Gallaudet University.
Joe Doran †
Lighting Design
Joe Doran (Lighting Design) | Virginia Rep: A Christmas Carol, Waitress, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, 9 to 5: The Musical, Satchmo at the Waldorf, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Mamma Mia!, The Silver Belles, Once, Fun Home (Cadence/ Virginia Rep), In the Heights, A Christmas Story, Dreamgirls, South Pacific, The Color Purple, A Year with Frog and Toad. | Broadway \(Assoc\. LD\): Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, Prince of Broadway, Doctor Zhivago, Magic/Bird.| National Tours: Hamilton, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Anything Goes, West Side Story, Flashdance the Musical, In the Heights, On Your Feet! | Off-Broadway: Movies TV Mayhem (Producer/ Designer),Chanteuse, H4, Shakespeare’s Slave. | NYC Dance: Sean Curran Company, Armitage Gone! Dance, Stephen Petronio Company, Shen Wei Dance Arts, Martha Graham Dance Company, and others. | Regional Credits: Red Mountain Theatre, Bristol Riverside Theatre, The Fulton Theatre, Alpine Theatre Project, Richmond Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Richmond Triangle Players, and Swift Creek Mill Theatre. | Ten-time recipient of Richmond’s Artsies Award. Graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Member, Member: USA Local 829. Special love and thanks to Christian for his unwavering support. | www.joedorandesign.com
Mark Costello
Projection Design
Mark Costello, he/him, (Projection Design) is a Helen Hayes Award-winning video designer working across performance disciplines. Recent credits include Enemy of the People, Broken Glass (Theater J), Fly Me to the Sun, Fair Play (1st Stage), Astro Boy and The God of Comics (Flying V), The Inheritance (Round House Theatre). He is a founding member of Merkins, Daniello & Sons, a company dedicated to creating innovative, athletic and accessible theatrical performance and design, and Alaska House, a video designer collective based in DC. MFA/UMD TDPS, BFA/NYU Tisch.
Jonathan Pratt
Sound Design
Jonathan Pratt, he/him, (Sound Design) – Jonathan is thrilled to be designing again at Virginia Rep where some of his recent designs include Deathtrap, A Christmas Carol, Waitress, Dial M for Murder, Ken Ludwig’s Moriarty and Baskerville, Satchmo at the Waldorf, On Air, 9 to 5: The Musical, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the latter three winning the RTCC Award for Outstanding Sound Design of a Musical. At the Rep Family Theatre, Jonathan’s favorite shows designed include Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus: The Musical!, The Santa Clues, and Grace for President. Other favorite local design credits include: The Scarlet Pimpernel and The Minutes (William and Mary), Cry It Out (Yes, And!), and Sunset Baby (Blk Theatre Alliance for Youth). Jonathan has also designed over 40 productions for Camelot Theatre in Talent, Oregon. Jonathan is a proud member of the Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association.
Erica Hughes
Dialects
Erica Hughes, she/her, (Dialects) is a member of the University of Richmond Department of Theatre & Dance faculty, as well as a private voice/dialect/text coach and a performer. In Richmond, she has had the privilege of working with just about every professional and higher ed theatre establishment. Some of the other institutions Erica has coached for include: the Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre, Chicago Pride Films & Plays, Round House Theatre and Olney Theatre Center, Carnegie Mellon University, and the National Speech & Debate Association. Erica has an M.F.A. in Theatre Pedagogy/Stage Voice & Speech from VCU.
Abby Bobb *
Stage Management
Abby Bobb, she/her, (Stage Manager) is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association and graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University (2016). National Tours: Come From Away, Bartlett Sher’s Fiddler on the Roof, A Chorus Line (Tokyo, Japan), South Pacific, An American in Paris, Legally Blonde the Musical. Regional Highlights: Jagged Little Pill (WPPAC), Waitress (VA Rep), Dreamgirls (WPPAC), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (VA Rep), Bright Star (Riverside Center for Performing Arts), Resident Stage Manager for Studio Theatre – Tierra del Sol (The Villages, FL). Dance Highlights: VCUarts Dance + Choreography, Richmond Ballet’s: The Nutcracker, American Dance Festival (Durham, NC), Chita Rivera Awards. A big thank you to Weston and our pups Josie & Finley for their unconditional love!
Cast
Ti Reneé Ames
Hannah & Others
Ti Reneé Ames, she/they, (Hannah & others) is excited to return to acting in her Virginia Repertory Theatre debut! Ti is primarily a theater educator, director, and intimacy coordinator. An Oberlin College graduate, they’re currently pursuing an MFA in Theatre Pedagogy at VCU. Select credits | Acting: Men On Boats (Live Arts); Jitney (Charlottesville Players Guild). Directing: Out The Mud (Firehouse Theatre, Assistant Director); Young Frankenstein, Fireflies, RENT (Live Arts); Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Charlottesville Players Guild); The Brothers Size (Oberlin College). Intimacy: Out The Mud (Firehouse Theatre); Fireflies, Matilda Jr. (Live Arts). Modupe to the orisha, ancestors, and my community.
Ashlee Beary
Janice & Others
Ashlee Beary, she/her, (Janice & Others) is a New York-based actress who is thrilled to be making her Virginia Repertory debut! Select credits include SIX (alternate), Little Women (Jo) at Riverside CPA, Beautiful (Carole King) at Riverside CPA, Waitress (Swing) at John W. Engeman Theater, and Oliver! (Nancy) at Area Stage. Endless gratitude to her family, friends, and husband Matt for their love and support. Follow along on Instagram @ashleebeary.
Sherri L. Edelen *
Diane & Others
Sherri L. Edelen (Diane & Others) is delighted to debut at VA Rep. She traveled the country with 3 National Tours and received the Helen Hayes award for Les Miserables and Side Show (Signature Theatre, over 30 productions) and a Barrymore Award for The Light in the Piazza (Philadelphia Theatre Company). Recent acting credits include Dave, Vanya/Spike, Ann (Arena Stage), The Humans (Olney Theatre Center), Gloria: A Life, Copenhagen (Theatre J), Romeo and Juliet (Folger Theatre), Outside Mullingar (Fusion Theatre Company), Sister Act (Ford’s Theatre), Merrily We Roll Along, Sunday in the Park with George (Kennedy Center).
Emelie Faith Thompson *
Bonnie & Others
Emelie Faith Thompson, she/her, (Bonnie & Others, U/S Beverley & Others, Dance Captain) is thrilled to be back at the Rep! Audiences may remember her from Waitress (Jenna) and MAMMA MIA! (Donna), both garnering her RTCC nominations, as well as Curious Incident (Siobhan). Her regional credits include Countess Lily in Anastasia (Virginia Musical Theatre), Mother in Ragtime (Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre), Reno in Anything Goes (Barter Theatre), Shelby in Steel Magnolias (Wayside Theatre), and Eliza in My Fair Lady, Violet in Violet, and Annie in Annie Get Your Gun (Virginia Theatre Festival). Off-Broadway: Night Games and A.A. Milne’s The Ugly Duckling (Marvell Repertory Theatre). National tours: A Christmas Carol and Miracle on 34th Street. Love to N, V, T, and L! IG: @emeliefaiththompson.
Alia Bisharat Glidden
Beverley & Others
Alia Bisharat Glidden (Beverley & Others) is a native to Richmond and returned in 2018 after a nearly 9 year stint in NYC. Her VA Rep credits include 9 to 5 (Judy Bernly), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Mrs. Bucket), The Wizard of Oz (Dorothy), Bus Stop (Cherie), Cinderella (U/S Stepmother & Fairy Godmother). NYC/Regional credits include Good Morning America (NYC), Bethlehem on Broadway (NYC), The Days of 98’ Show (Skagway, AK). You can find Alia running around with her kids or helping amazing folks buy and sell houses. Alia would like to thank her family for all their love and support. And of course her amazing husband Jimmy, who is chasing their beautiful children so she can participate in today’s performance. I love you all so much. James 1:17 Insta: @alia_bisharat_glidden
Durron Marquis Tyre
Bob & Others
Durron Marquis Tyre (Bob & Others) Regional Credits: Anatole Kuragin (Great Comet, Firehouse Theatre), Baker (Into the Woods, Richmond Shakes), Frank N. Furter (Rocky Horror Show, Richmond Triangle Players), Rashad (The Light by Loy A. Webb,Yes And! Ent.), Henry (Sugar in Our Wounds, Richmond Triangle Players-RTCC Award for Best Play (2022), Lt. Eddie Souther (Sister Act, the Musical, Virginia Rep), CC White/Curtis Taylor US (Dreamgirls, Virginia Rep), and Tom Collins (Rent, Firehouse Theatre), where he earned the RTCC Award for Best Lead Actor in a Musical in 2010.
Susan Sanford *
Beulah & Others
Susan Sanford (Beulah & Others) was last seen on the Virginia Rep stage as Mrs. Dilber in the smash hit A Christmas Carol. She was also seen in this season’s production of Murder on the Orient Express as Mrs. Hubbard. Previous roles in Richmond include Big/Little Edie in Grey Gardens with Richmond Triangle Players, The Witch in Into the Woods with Richmond Shakespeare and Toni in Appropriate with Cadence Theatre, all of which garnered her RTCC best actress awards. She is thrilled to be a part of this beautiful story. All love to Foster, Willow and Jordan.
James Scales
Claude & Others
James Scales (Claude & Others) is quite pleased to make his Virginia Rep debut in this beautiful show! He is the manager of UVA’s Drama Department and has been acting in the Charlottesville area for thirty years. Favorite shows include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, My Fair Lady, Gypsy, Carousel, Sweeney Todd, 1776, Annie Get Your Gun, West Side Story, Middletown (Virginia Theatre Festival); Stage Kiss, Uncle Vanya, Violet, Follies (Live Arts). James hosts a weekly radio show on WTJU devoted to musical theatre. He raises a glass of Screech to Kate, Ash, and Atlas for their invaluable support. Welcome to The Rock!
Erich Schroeder
Oz & Others
Erich Schroeder (Oz & Others) is so thankful to be performing in this show again. He is an actor/musician whose credits include Once The Musical (Emcee), Follies (Young Buddy), Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer The Musical (Santa), The Spitfire Grill (Sheriff Joe Sutter) and, most recently, Come From Away North American Tour (Oz & Others). He would like to thank Natalie Iscovich, his agent Natalie Kollar, and his friends and family for all their support. IG: theantiqueshrodeshow
Thomas Adrian Simpson *
Nick & Others
Thomas Adrian Simpson (Nick & Others) is happy to be returning to Virginia Repertory Theatre after playing Scrooge in A Christmas Carol earlier this season. Tom just completed a run of 1776 at Ford’s Theatre playing John Hancock. Favorite roles include Abraham Lincoln, in Mary T. and Lizzy K., and Col. Pickering, in My Fair Lady, at Arena Stage; Caiaphas, in Jesus Christ Superstar, and Noah, in 110 in the Shade at Signature Theatre; and Judge Turpin in Sweeny Todd at The Olney Theatre Center. Tom is a proud graduate of The North Carolina School of the Arts.
David Lyve Watkins *
Kevin J. & Others
David Lyve Watkins, he/him, (Kevin J. & Others) is proud to be back at the Rep! Recent credits include Off-Broadway: Harder they Come (Public Theatre). Regional: Gabriel (Atlas Partnership), Me and the Devil (Arkansas Rep), and the Artsie winning Detroit 67 (Firehouse). Film credits include Voices of Fire (Netflix), Whitney (Lifetime). David is also the lead singer for the multi platinum group Ready for the World as well as a part of the choir recording of ‘This is Me’ (The Greatest Showman). David continuously thanks God, Janine and Justice for the blessings and support to continue a life in the arts!
Eddie Webster
Kevin T. & Others
Eddie Webster, he/him, (Kevin T. & Others) is excited to be back on the November stage to tell this story. Most recently seen as the Porter in Macbeth (Richmond Shakespeare), Eddie’s other credits include A Christmas Carol (Virginia Rep), Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 (Firehouse), The Diary of Anne Frank (SCM), 9 to 5 (Virginia Rep), Lonely Planet (5th Wall), The Inheritance (RTP, RTCC nominee – Best Supporting Performance in a Play), Red Velvet (Richmond Shakespeare), and Parade (JFT). Thank you to Rick for the opportunity and, as always, thank you to my friends and family for the love. @itseddiewebster
Jianna Hurt
Swing - Hannah, Janice
Jianna Hurt, they/she, (Swing – Hannah & Janice) is happy to be a part of Virginia Rep’s Production of Come From Away. This is their first swinging experience, and they are so excited to be a part of the beautiful storytelling. Theatre credits include: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Richmond Shakespeare), 9 to 5 (Virginia Rep), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Virginia Rep/Regional Theatre of the Palouse), Once on This Island (The Lynn Theatre), She Persisted (Virginia Rep), and Beehive: The ’60s Musical (Virginia Rep; RTCC nomination for Best Supporting Performance). They would love to thank their family, friends, and all the cast and crew.
David Ramirez
Swing - Kevin T, Kevin J, Bob
David Ramirez (Swing – Kevin T, Kevin J, Bob) was born and raised in the Richmond region. He attended VCU where he earned degrees in both Philosophy & Urban Planning. He’s super excited and grateful to be able to work with Virginia Rep again, after performing in Waitress (Ensemble, U/S Cal), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Swing), 9 to 5 The Musical (Ensemble, Detective), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Swing) and in Mamma Mia (Ensemble, Harry u/s). David’s other Richmond theatre credits include: Billy Lawlor in 42nd Street at Dogwood Dell and Freddy in Carrie: The Musical with 5th Wall Theatre company.
Aaron Thomas Moore
Swing - Claude, Nick, Oz
Aaron Thomas Moore, he/him, (Swing – Claude, Oz & Nick) is thrilled to join the Virginia Rep family for the first time! Aaron has traveled the world with Norwegian Cruise Lines as a Production Vocalist, and roles including Mr. Banks in Mary Poppins, Herbie in Gypsy, and Sam in Mamma Mia. Aaron holds a Master’s in Theatre from Regent University and is a proud alum of VSU Theatre and Dance with a BFA in Musical Theatre. He works as a director, choreographer, and is Production Manager at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts. Aaron is grateful to his family and friends for their unwavering love and support in every season of the journey. @aaronthomasmoore
Alanna Wilson
Swing - Bonnie, Beulah, Diane
Alanna Wilson, she/her, (Swing – Bonnie, Beulah, Diane) is thrilled to be a part of the Come From Away family! She’s also excited to be back on the November stage for this production. Recent local credits include: The Golden Girls: The Lost Episodes – The Holiday Edition (RTP), Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook & From Up Here (HATTheatre), Firebringer (Dogwood Dell), She Loves Me (Homefront Players), and Winter Wonderettes (Swift Creek Mill). She has performed regionally at The Ivoryton Playhouse, Gateway Playhouse, Roxy Regional Theatre, and Northern Stage. Graduate of TheatreVCU. Special thanks to Rick, Ellie, Brandon, and the entire CFA team. Love to Joe, Owen, and Daphne.