Cast members rehearse for the upcoming performances of “Come From Away.” The collaboration between SIU’s School of Theater and Dance and the School of Music runs Oct. 22-25 in Shryock Auditorium. (Photo by John Mick)
October 13, 2026
SIU’s Theater and Dance tells the story of 9/12 in ‘Come From Away’
CARBONDALE, Ill. — A story of love and compassion in the immediate aftermath of one of the world’s deadliest terror attacks comes to Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Shryock Auditorium later this month.
“Come From Away” tells the astonishing story of how Gander, Newfoundland, population 9,651, found itself unexpectedly hosting nearly 7,000 people whose flights were diverted there in the immediate aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States.
SIU is one of the first universities to present this deeply moving musical — and will welcome a special guest to the audience. Claude Elliott, mayor of Gander from 1996 to 2017 and coordinator of the community response to the arrivals at Gander International Airport, is visiting SIU for the musical, and will attend each performance.
Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 22-24, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25.
The production is a collaboration between SIU’s School of Theater and Dance and the School of Music.
A story of humanity, compassion
For director Matthew C. Williams, assistant professor of performance and movement, the seven-time Tony Award-nominated production is not about the tragedy of Sept. 11, but rather the humanity and compassion shown on Sept. 12.
“One of the main themes in this production is the notion of paying it forward, hospitality and choosing to love your neighbor, the person who is in distress, and inviting the stranger into your home because the reward and return is exponential,” he said.
Williams and Angela Shultz, the production’s musical director, note that since licensing rights recently made the production available to university and community theaters, SIU is one of the first universities to perform the musical. The production played on Broadway from 2017 to 2022.
Shultz, an assistant professor of practice in musical theater and voice, fell in love with the show when she was living in New York City and saw it on Broadway. The production is “like a documentary set to music,” she said.
“The show is truly gorgeous in every way: the music, the story and the people at the heart of it,” she said.
“In the time of Sept. 11th, which was cloaked in tragedy, the people of Gander generously poured into the ‘come from aways’ who were stranded in their town by providing not only shelter and food, but medicine, supplies, communication and listening ears,” Shultz said.
Abbie Eads, assistant lecturer, directs the pit orchestra and Anita Hutton, an accomplished local pianist and retired assistant to the dean in SIU’s College of Liberal Arts, takes the piano. In addition, Joel Goldes, a dialect coach who worked with the original Broadway production, is providing online assistance to students.
Special guest in the audience
Williams connected with Elliott through mutual friends who attend Williams’ church. As the performance director and choreographer, Williams invited Elliott to attend the performances and to provide insight.
“Claude Elliott is an incredible person who is very generous with his time,” Williams said.
While on campus, Elliott will speak at a luncheon at noon on Thursday, Oct. 22, at the Tedrick Welcome Center. Elliott’s presentation, “Lend a Hand, Do What You Can: Remembering the Generosity of Gander on 9/11,” is part of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute’s John and Muriel Hayward Lecture Series.
Cohesive cast
Shultz said the cast, which includes 10 student performers and two community members, “blends together beautifully.” Three additional students serve as understudies. The cast, with characters listed in parentheses:
- Rheannon Bohlman, sophomore, Rockton, Illinois (Diane/Crystal/Brenda).
- Parker Bradshaw, sophomore, Marion, Illinois. (Kevin T./Garth/President George W. Bush).
- Eden Kaszubski, sophomore, Cobden, Illinois (Bonnie/Martha).
- Lilie Lim, junior, Hot Springs, Arkansas (Beulah/Delores).
- Yasmin Martinez-Powell, junior, Springfield, Illinois (Hannah/Margie/Mickey).
- Rayden Meyer, junior, Springfield, Illinois (Oz/Joey/customs officer/Rabbi/head cardiologist).
- Katie Polk, sophomore, Milford, Michigan (Janice/Britney/flight attendant).
- Eli Rafe, sophomore, Marion, Illinois (Kevin J/Dwight/Ali).
- Abby Zirkelbach, junior, Marion, Illinois (Beverly/Annette/reporter).
- Jamaal “JJ” Jones, sophomore, Cairo, Illinois (Bob/Muhhmuza/Capt. Bristol).
Cast understudies are:
- Kyla Hunt, junior, Millington, Tennessee.
- Marcelina Johnson, freshman, Richton Park, Illinois.
- Ayden Price, sophomore, Harrisburg, Illinois.
Community members in the cast are:
- Derek Hamblin, musical director and director for local organizations (Claude/Derm/Brother Eddie).
- Brandyn McGhee, director and lighting designer for local organizations (Nick/Doug/Officer Stephenson).
Season, single tickets available
Individual tickets are $25 for adults 21 and older, $20 for senior citizens 60 and older, $10 for students 13-21, and $8 for children 12 and younger. The online ticket website is onthestage.tickets/siuc-school-of-theater-and-dance. Tickets can be purchased online, by phone at 618-453-5741 or in person at the venue on the night of the performance.
Season tickets are available online and at the School of Theater and Dance office, Communications Building, Room 1033. The subscription series is $100 for adults and $80 for senior citizens 60 and older. There is also a “Pick-Three” season-ticket option.
Learn more about the School of Theater and Dance’s 2026-2027 season.