The University of Michigan's production of "Come From Away" has five performances left at the Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre before closing Sunday, Oct. 18.

The musical, which opened the U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance (SMTD) 2026-27 season, tells the story of Gander, Newfoundland, where 38 planes carrying thousands of passengers were diverted after U.S. airspace closed on Sept. 11, 2001. The production marks the 25th anniversary of those attacks.

Director Vincent J. Cardinal, a professor of music at SMTD, told AADL's Pulp in an article published Oct. 5 that the school's deep ties to the show drove the decision to stage it. Chair Cynthia Kortman Westphal was music director of the first Broadway national tour, Cardinal said, and choreographer Jane Bunting "made her debut in the show and toured nationally and has mounted this production all over the world."

Bunting, who handles staging and choreography, told Pulp this is her 10th production of "Come From Away." She first worked on the show in 2016 as a standby in Washington, D.C., during its pre-Broadway tryout.

Westphal serves as music director and orchestra conductor for the U-M production. The Sun Times News, reviewing the show Oct. 12, called the orchestra "world class" and praised the ensemble harmonies.

None of the student cast members were alive on Sept. 11, 2001, according to Cardinal. Cardinal told Pulp that the age gap shaped rehearsals. "This is not their memory, and we're dealing with a key memory in our lifetime," he said.

The Sun Times News reviewer Steven Sheldon highlighted senior Christine Chupailo, who plays Beverly, an American Airlines pilot, and sings "Me and the Sky." Sheldon described her voice as "strong and pure."

All actors play multiple roles, switching between Gander residents, passengers and crew members using chairs, hats and quick-change costumes, according to Pulp.

Five shows remain. Remaining performances are Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 16 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 17 at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 18 at 2 p.m. The Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre is inside the Michigan League building at 911 N. University Ave.

Tickets are $40 or $34 for reserved seating and $16 for students, including fees, according to U-M’s event listing. Tickets can be purchased online at tickets.smtd.umich.edu or by calling 734-764-2538. Questions can be emailed to [email protected].