Spoiler, don’t read if you haven’t seen it: the two fellows who got together really did, and still are! As far as I know, everything they presented was from those interviews - not fictionalized.
That’s really cool. Great to hear! Makes the whole show a bit better.
After I saw the show a few years ago, the newspaper had a great photo of the stage set (the play got their Tony for the set design). That photo is now my screensaver. I find it sort of comforting.
It would. We would talk a lot of shit in the process, probably, but we’d do it. For example, I’m expecting a flood of US refugees to cross our border at some point, and we’ll do what we can to help, even if we know we’ll fail in the attempt.
I haven’t seen the show, but I’d like to. Sadly, very few such shows come through my location. Well, maybe someday.
However, I have been to a number of places in Newfoundland, Gander among them. Every place, I’ve found friendly and welcoming people, who are happy to help if you need it. I have no doubt that when those 7000 Americans descended on Gander (population 9000, remember), Ganderians simply shrugged, said “Welcome! Glad to see you! Hey, you look like you’re in a jam. How can we help?”
And that’s why I want to see the show: because it’s based on the experiences of those affected. I know the plain facts, I remember the objective news reports, but I want to get the human touch from those who were there. That’s what this show sounds like it demonstrates.
Besides, I like musicals.
Summed up, that is what they did. Although it was not all Americans…there were plenty of others from various countries and the play recognizes this as a problem to overcome (language, culture, cuisine, religion and so on). They were all accommodated as best as could be done…also depicted in the play.
it came to Regina a few years ago. Sorry it didn’t make it to your town.
Agreed. I’ve always found the Newfoundlanders to be some of the most decent people going.
When you grow up in a culture where it’s expected you’ll take your boat out in a storm to try to rescue someone in trouble, and folks back home are on the piers in the storm, with blankets and warm food and drink, waiting and hoping it will turn out all right, what’s 11,000 folks arriving on a few airplanes?
The one that I remember is when the Salvation Army guys had to explain to some of the passengers from poorly governed countries that they weren’t that kind of Army.
The Newfoundland and Labrador tourist board had some lovely commercials a few years ago to promote tourism. This is one of them.
My kinda place. I’m in if Canada will have me!