Stepinac HS brings 'Come From Away' to life in powerful stage production
Original Broadway cast member Q Smith attended the opening night of production. She offered her support to the cast and crew and even coached the students along the way.
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Archbishop Stepinac High School put a spotlight on service, sacrifice and unity through a special production of "Come From Away," the hit Broadway musical that tells a remarkable true story from the days following the Sept. 11 attacks.
Original Broadway cast member Q Smith attended the opening night of production. She offered her support to the cast and crew and even coached the students along the way.
Smith shared that she hopes audiences walk away remembering the humanity that emerged from one of the nation’s darkest days.
“I think when 9/11 happened, it was the worst day, but the best came out of people that day,” she said. “Something was happening in Newfoundland that nobody even knew about — this tiny town coming together to welcome complete strangers who spoke different languages and looked different. We miss that today.”
The production also gave back to the community by partnering with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. It's dedicated to honoring the sacrifice of our nation's heroes by providing mortgage-free homes and critical support to fallen and catastrophically injured first responders, veterans, and their families. A dollar of each ticket sold will be donated to support first responders and their families.
Retired FDNY Battalion Commander Jack Oehm was among those who attended. Oehm served at ground zero and lost 20 firefighters during the rescue and recovery efforts. Despite the devastating losses, he says the show highlights the resilience and heroism that followed the tragedy.
“On the morning of 9/11, we saw the worst of humanity,” Oehm said. “But because of what the first responders did, we saw the best of humanity. They inspired the country that day and the days afterward.”
