Susan Sanford feels a strong sense of duty to her role in Come From Away, now playing at Virginia Rep’s November Theatre.
Before seeing the Tony Award-winning musical on Broadway, she had never heard the 9/11 story about Operation Yellow Ribbon. Now that she’s seen the musical as well as the documentary You Are Here: A Come from Away Story, Sanford wants to share the story of the people of Gander, Newfoundland, with respect and authenticity.
“It just really affected me,” Sanford says about the Broadway show. “When I saw the documentary, I saw the people we would be playing. I got to hear their voices, see their faces and hear their experiences.”
Providing Comfort to Strangers
In the show, Sanford plays the role of Beulah, the head of the school in Gander, who helps with logistics when the town learns the United States closed airspace after 9/11 and diverted 38 planes with almost 7,000 passengers to their town of 10,000 people.
“Beulah is very much in charge of the situation,” Sanford says. “She’s probably a little like myself, a little bit of a control freak. She wanted everyone to feel safe, comfortable and seen. She wanted people to feel like they are being looked after in this time of crises.”
Finding Strength in the Skies
Alia Bisharat Glidden who plays Beverly, one of the pilots of the 38 planes that landed in Gander, describes the musical as special.
“It’s such a tragic memory. You hear this story of humans doing amazing things during the tragedy,” says Bisharat Glidden, who also watched the documentary on Gander. “They did everything they could to take care of these passengers. It showed the goodness in people even in light of such a tragic time. I am excited to be on stage and tell the story.”
She describes Beverly as an amazing character to play. “She was the first female American captain in history, and she had the first female crew. She knew the pilot that was piloting Flight 77 that crashed into the Pentagon. It’s an incredible story of how she got to where she was.”
To perform the role, Bisharat Glidden has to tap into something very different than herself. “Beverly is very much a leader. She couldn’t let herself cry. It’s challenging as an actor to tap into that, but it’s a good challenge — one that I am excited to do,” she says.
The two are similar in their roles as mothers. “Beverly calls her family to check in with them. She has to keep a brave face. I have to tap into that as a mother. When scary things happen, you have to keep it together for the kids,” Bisharat Glidden says.
A Switch In Roles
Bisharat Glidden also plays Annette, one of the townspeople in Gander.
“She is a teacher and is one of the group that is trying to prepare for all of these guests. She’s warm, inviting, and bubbly. She is the polar opposite of Beverly. She is very fun to play because she is more in line with my personality,” she says.
Switching characters in the play, especially with different dialects, is challenging but fun, she adds.
“We have been working with a dialect coach who helps me switch dialects quickly,” she says.
The musical, performed without an intermission, is more than a recounting of events related to 9/11, Sanford says.
“It’s about restoring faith in humanity, something we really need right now,” she says. “I think Richmond audiences will be blown away, and they will come see it because it’s such a beautiful message.”
The show runs through August 2 at Virginia Rep’s November Theatre. Tickets are available on their website.
Content Notice: The show features 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.
