Damage from the Canada Day floods forced the cancellation of performances at the Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe, sending a beloved local production scrambling. But now, “Come From Away” has found a new home and the popular musical is set to hit the stage later this week. The critically acclaimed play is based on the true story about the people of Gander, N.L., who opened their homes and town after 38 planes carrying thousands of passengers from around the world were diverted to the small town during the 9/11 attacks. In a welcomed bit of irony, De La Salle Public School is opening its own doors to allow the show to go on. During rehearsal on Sunday, actor Leah MacMillan says it feels good to finally be able to take the stage ahead of curtain call on Sept. 10. “This is just so exciting to see everything come together,” she said. “Today is a very special day.” That’s because it’s a day that almost didn’t happen. The musical’s original home at the Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe was forced to cancel all shows, plays and productions until the end of the year after the Canada Day storm, when Ottawa received more than 118 mm of rain. The flooding caused damage to the main theatre stage, the orchestra pit and front rows of seating, the studio theatre, orchestra, the lower studio and lobby, flooring and a grand piano. “It became our Gander really,” said actor Réjean Mayer. “This venue saved us.” Mayer says news that Centrepointe would shut for the rest of the year because of the damage was difficult, and he wasn’t sure the show would be able to continue. “There were tears and there was a lot of hugging and talking,” he said. But production says they wanted the play’s message to reach the stage. “I just didn’t want to let go of the dream of doing this show on the 25th anniversary of 9/11,” explains director Jennifer Fontaine. She was among those who worked quickly and diligently to find a home for the production, finally finding a spot at the high school. Fontaine says for her, the new location is extra special because she was a young student at the school during the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11. “I thought that this is such a heartfelt show and such a beautiful memory of these wonderful people who did all these great things for strangers,” she said. “It just felt right in a way that this was the place that opened their arms to us, and allowed us to fulfill our hopes for this production.” Fontaine says the flooding didn’t cause extensive damage to sets and props, and production only had to pause for a week and a half. Actors say they quickly got to work to bring it together, but Fontaine says ultimately, their schedule allowed them to not miss a beat. MacMillan says she’s happy the production can continue. “I think it’s such an important time for us to be doing this,” she said. “I think when the world feels scary and divided, this is such a great reminder of the importance of kindness to strangers, accepting people for who they are, to showing generosity, to coming together as a community. It’s just, a very Canadian feeling.” The production is being put on by Suzart and Maple Leaf Theatre Productions and is the first time a local theatre has the rights to the show in Ottawa. The first performance is on Thursday Sept. 10, with a show on Sept. 11. The show will close on Sept. 19.
