It wasn't Doyle the "Come From Away" folk were after — it was specifically Shanneyganock, for a reason. Unbeknownst to some but perhaps not surprising to Newfoundlanders who have seen the musical, the show's score was inspired by Shanneyganock's music. Writers David Hein and Irene Sankoff first heard Andrews, Mark Hiscock and the boys' music while in Gander conducting interviews and doing research for the show, which is based on the story of how the residents of Gander and surrounding communities opened their doors to stranded strangers whose planes were forced to land during the events of 9-11.
"I had no idea they even knew about the band," Andrews says. "I had no idea we were even part of this wonderful story."
"We were certainly surprised and blown away by what they were telling us," adds Hiscock.
As the story goes, Hein and Sankoff felt Shanneyganock's genre and tone fit their vision for the musical, and together with Great Big Sea's Bob Hallett — who served as musical consultant for the show — invited Shanneyganock to New York for the opening night of "Come From Away." March 12. The band performed at the after-party at Gotham Hall, after a show premiere met by a standing ovation, tears and, for the most part, rave reviews.
They were brought in by some of the producers as a surprise.
"I don't think anybody knew what to make of us when we first came in. I think they were wondering who these country bumpkins were," Andrews says, chuckling. "I don't think they had ever heard anything quite like our music. But the response we got at the after-party — we put the place up."
Andrews talks of his thrill at meeting the "Come From Away" cast and crew and taking in opening night of the show, saying it moved him and filled him with a feeling of pride he had never before felt. Hiscock speaks of getting goosebumps during some of the musical numbers."
"Come From Away" has since gone on to collect a small truckload of theatre awards from just about every place it previewed (before opening on Broadway, it ran in La Jolla, California; Washington, Seattle, Toronto and came to Gander for two shows), as well as the Drama Desk award for Outstanding Musical.
Tonight (Sunday) night, the cast will perform at the Tony Awards, where they'll learn which, if any, of the awards the show has won out of its seven nominations, including Best Musical and Best Score.
Shanneyganock, celebrating 22 years as a band, is getting ready to release a new album, "Home in my Harbour," in two weeks' time.
Being connected to "Come From Away" is an honour, Andrews says.
"Representing the province and our type of music was wonderful," he explains. "We're not rich, but we are rich in the experiences we've had and the friends we've met. This was an experience of a lifetime."
[email protected]
Twitter: @tara_bradbury
