Interview: Jenn Colella & Rodney Hicks of COME FROM AWAY at Ford's Theatre

The phrase "that new 9/11 musical" should rightly bring about...let's say concern. So when I first heard about Come From Away, I most definitely raised an eyebrow.

Having been in NY that fateful day, I recall my own story - where I was, what I was thinking, feeling, and how I responded. It's only natural to look at an event from your own perspective, and despite that day becoming one of the most politicized events in modern history, what I recall most vividly is never the moment I watched the towers fall, but the feeling in the city during those following weeks.

People held doors for each other. We looked each other in the eyes. We smiled a knowing smile that said "I've got you." It was warm and it was like nothing I'd ever experienced and like nothing I've experienced since. Come From Away isn't a 9/11 musical, it's a musical about a place and a community of people far from New York, DC and Pennsylvania, whose lives changed because of that fateful day. And on the 15th anniversary of the tragedy that brought so many of us together, it will be visiting The Ford's Theatre for a limited run.

From production notes: "In a heartbeat, 38 planes with 6,579 passengers were stranded in a remote town in Newfoundland. The locals opened their hearts and homes, hosting this international community of strangers-spurring unexpected camaraderie in extraordinary circumstances.

Jenn Colella (If/Then, Chaplin, High Fidelity, Urban Cowboy), and Rodney Hicks (RENT, The Scottsboro Boys, Jesus Christ Superstar) are deep in rehearsals for the D.C. premiere of the musical and took some time out to chat with me about their experience with the show.

JM: Tell me a little bit about your history with Come From Away?

JC: I've been with it since the LaJolla production. In LaJolla, we won all these awards, Craig Noel awards, for best director, best show, and I won best featured actress, which was crazy because it's such an enemble piece. The audience response was so phenomenal. I've never had anything like this where people laughed and cried and gasped with every moment you're onstage.

Then we took it to Seatlle and the response was even bigger and more visceral. I've never experienced anything like it. It's so beautiful to feel that from the first moment.

JM: 9/11 is such a politicized part of our history and it sometimes feels we've been desensitized to what happened. What is it about this show that sees past that?

JC: What's interesting is this isn't a 9/11 or 9/12 musical. It's about what happened afterwards in this little corner of the world. How strangers took people in. And it wasn't just in NYC, it was in LA, pockets everywhere, in Iowa. We looked each other in the eye more deeply and compassion rose to the surface. And in this particular town on this particular day, this community of people was formed after this awful horrible thing happened. Regardless of where you are, this show offers you an easy, natural and absolutely authentic way to heal.

JM: To be honest, just this conversation is bringing up some strong memories and feelings for me.

JC: It's so hard to not break into tears. And the Newfoundlanders are shocked by the response. They feel they just did what anyone would do.

JM: And where were you on 9/11?

JC: I was finishing grad school. It was so very early in the morning, because we were on the other coast. My roommate banged on my door and said "America's under attack!" I watched the first tower going down, and it just didn't feel real. I couldn't process it in my head. And then throughout the rest of the day, we just wanted to be outside. we were in West Hollywood, I went to a couple vigils and lit some candles along the way. It was this beautiful moment with people in LA, everyone out of their cars, just with this need to be outside.

JM: Tell me about Beverley, the role you play.

JC: She's become a dear friend of mine. She was the first female captain for AA. She was flying from Paris to Dallas and was grounded in this town in Newfoundland. Her husband, her daughter, they come to all the shows in all the cities. She's coming to see this show 21 times in DC! She's bringing a huge number of female pilots to come see the show. And I mean it when I say she's become one of my best pals. It's been so cool to have her around.

JM: You were last here for If/Then before it moved to Broadway, what do you like about DC?

JC: I love this town. I've done a couple gigs at the Kennedy Center over the years, and I just enjoy the feeling. The people are so great, the pace is slower, and the audiences feel really intelligent to me -- smart, and open. And for learning about what a new show is, there isn't a better place be.

JM: Tell me about the company of Come From Away...

JM: Everyone is so tight. This is a huge family which continues to grow. I'm learning from them everyday how to be more compassionate and generous. I've never been a part of anything so powerful in my life.

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JM: Rodney, tell me about how you got started with this show...

RH: I have been with the show since the Seattle lab production at Seattle Rep in August 2014 with 5th ave rep. for 2 years now. I believe im the only person who has been in this one role since then. Everyone else joined in LaJolla. Kendra was in the lab production, but playing a different role.

I believe the universe put this show in my life at the right time. I didn't audition for it. I'd recently left New York to find out who i was. I'd been in ny since '94 when I was 21. I moved to the pacific nw to restart my life. I got a call from Ian Eisendrath asking me if I want to do this - and I said yes.

None of my monologues have been rewritten to fit me because I'm black. I was so fortunate the creative team worked with me. They asked my input. I asked if he could he be a lower-middle class black man? This was before the #BlackLivesMatter movement. If this guy's in Newfoundland and afraid of these people, it's hard to not point out they're all white. So, there's that fear and it works with any race.

I've never felt this light and free and as much at peace in forever. I can safely speak for all 12 of us when I say this show is a gift to all of us. and not just us, but the audience members who come back again and again. This show is connecting to people in such a real authentic way.

JM: What about Come From Away cuts through the political and makes it an authentic take on a 9/11 story?

RH: Absolutely, without a doubt. What makes it authentic? Firstly, it's not a 9/11 piece, it's a 9/12 piece and deals with how we as a people can see and do things for one another in a time of deep crisis. In the news today, that's not what's reported, they only reportage terrible things happening. The stories we don't hear are about everyday folks doing what they know is right.

When we did it in La Jolla, no one knew how it would be received. And from that first audience, it never went backwards. People were not only moved, they were laughing, they were remembering where they were. They were smiling about the good in the world, But also being aware of the tragedy. The trgedy is not the focus of the show. It's the humanity.

JM: Tell me about this incredible group of folks you're working with...

RH: It's amazing what Chris Ashley has done with the casting of this show. I asked him if it was hard to cast this show. He said "You can be the most talented person, but this show requires people who are good people." The work we've been doing has been around being as authentic as possible. We're playing 40 characters. we don't really have costume changes, it's assuming a dialect, maybe putting on a piece, holding a prop. It's emotionally draining, but not in a 'weep for me' kind of way. It's 90 minutes, we never leave the stage, but you can't push, it's just super simple. But because all of us are putting ourselves out there so much, it's exhausting.

JM: Where were you on 9/11?

RH: I was on Harlem River Drive with one of my dearest friends Jess Mosher. we were doing a show at North Shore Music Theatre. One Red Flower: Letters From Nam. It was about the Vietnam War and how these soldiers overcome it. I got a call when the first tower hit. I turned on the TV. As an actor, the first thought was, we need to get in a car and head to MA. We got on Harlem River Drive and everyone was standing outside their cars, watching the smoke. I watched the plane go into the second tower and fall. My aunt was in the vicinity. She was there and still has issues. I remember it so vividly.

JM: Anything else you'd like to add?

RH: Working with this creative team and cast has truly been the best time of my life. In retrospect, in past shows, I wasn't attuned to this level of awareness to realize the present moment of that particular show or experience of it. As extraordinary as the actual experience was. I am now, and am exceedingly grateful to simply, be. The note sessions are one of my favorite moments of this process with Chris, Kelly, Ian and our cast. It's a master class.

I feel incredibly fortunate to once again be a part of a very special new piece of theatre with an equally special ensemble of brilliant artists. I am most grateful.

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Come From Away runs September 2 to October 9, 2016, at historic Ford's Theatre. Tickets are now on sale and range from $20 to $73. Visit the Ford's Theatre website for more information