‘Come From Away’ tells the uplifting story following 9/11 tragedy
A graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Art, James O'Sullivan has spent a decade covering the arts scene in Youngstown for various publications. He has a unique ability to connect artists' stories with the cultural fabric of the community, showcasing both established and emerging talent.
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Millennial Theatre Company Director Joe Asente didn’t have much interest in “Come From Away” when he first heard about it. “I was a little skeptical when I heard that there was a 9/11 musical, and I avoided it for years,” he said. But when he was looking for something to watch on a flight home from Florida, he decided to give it a chance, downloading the capture of the Broadway production available on Apple TV. “I watched it, and I just fell in love with it,” Asente said. “Many members of our board had very similar experiences where they initially wrote it off and just came to love the show.” MTC will stage the Irene Sankoff and David Hein musical for a two-weekend run starting Friday at Youngstown Playhouse. With 2026 being the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C., and “Come From Away” recently becoming available to community and non-professional theater companies, the musical has been a popular programming choice this fall.