Diane and Nick Marson, left to right, who met while being stranded in Newfoundland during 9/11, with Laurie Wicks of Gambo, Nfld., who took them under her wing, pose for a photo at a brunch for Newfoundlanders and Come From Aways at the North Atlantic Aviation Museum in Gander, Nfld., on Saturday, October 29, 2016. The story of Diane, from Texas and Nick from the UK, who later married is told within the musical: Come From Away. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Paul Daly
GANDER, N.L. — Long before the closing number of "Come From Away" was over, a sold-out crowd of almost 2,600 cheering Newfoundlanders was on its feet.
They roared in appreciation as the cast of the hit musical en route to Broadway performed the first of two benefit concerts Saturday to thank the people of Gander and surrounding towns for their kindness after 9/11.
They laughed at jokes about the legendary remoteness of central Newfoundland. They brushed away tears at recollections of simple acts of compassion for almost 6,600 airline passengers and crew stranded for five days by the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
And they sang and stamped their feet to folk songs woven into the score.
"It was beyond my wildest imagination," said Beulah Cooper, a Gander resident and volunteer portrayed in the show.
"I'm just so humbled by it all. I never thought a tray of sandwiches 15 years ago would bring me here today."
Almost 5,000 people in total were expected to see two concert performances at the Steele Community Centre in Gander.
Ticket proceeds are going to local charities as thanks to those who opened their homes and hearts to total strangers from around the world.
Cooper is still close friends 15 years later with two women who stayed at her house as many more "plane people" came over from local shelters to use the shower.
Of all the people she helped during those five days, Cooper became especially close to Hannah and Dennis O'Rourke. They were desperate for news of their son Kevin, a 44-year-old New York City firefighter.
"Come From Away" describes Hannah's anguish as she longed to be at his side. Several days after the O'Rourkes returned home, their son was found in the rubble of the World Trade Center. He had died trying to reach trapped people in the north tower.
On Saturday, Cooper held a medallion in his memory that she had just received from the O'Rourkes.
It's a symbol of the horrific losses of 9/11, and the trauma suffered by so many people across the globe.
"Come From Away" never loses sight of that pain and fear as it also explores how Newfoundland's unique brand of hospitality helped restore some faith.
"We were taken out of this crazy storm that was engulfing the rest of the world and just set down in this wonderful piece of heaven," said Diane Marson. She was diverted to Gander on her way home to Houston and wound up meeting, Nick, the man who would become her husband, at a shelter in nearby Gambo, N.L.
"People cared about you, they wanted to do anything they could for you. We've just stayed like family all these years."
Laurie Wicks, who worked with the Canadian Red Cross in Gambo at the time, has kept in touch with the couple ever since.
"You really got to know people and really enjoyed their company."
It was a happy reunion for many plane people and their former hosts who gathered for the concerts before "Come From Away" opens in Toronto next month then heads to Broadway this winter. It has already played to sold-out crowds and critical acclaim in San Diego, Seattle and Washington, D.C.
Newfoundland actor Petrina Bromley plays Bonnie Harris, the real-life manager of the Gander and Area SPCA. Harris cared for 19 dogs and cats over those five days after freeing them from cargo holds.
"This was the show that I had the most excitement about," Bromley said after the matinee performance.
"I never dreamed that I would ever be in a Broadway show in my life. But bringing the show to the people who are responsible for the stories, who made it happen ... is so special.
"In a show that's about paying it forward, this is our way of paying it forward to the people of Gander and saying thank you, thank you, thank you."
Follow @suebailey on Twitter.
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