Jordan Hayakawa

"Come From Away" is a deeply moving and uplifting musical that tells the remarkable true story of human connection and kindness in the face of tragedy. Set in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, the show captures the events following September 11, 2001, when 38 planes were unexpectedly diverted to this remote Canadian community, nearly doubling its population overnight.

As the 7,000 "plane people" from around the world are welcomed by the town’s residents, barriers of language, culture, and fear are overcome with acts of generosity, humor, and compassion. The ensemble cast seamlessly weaves together dozens of real-life stories, portraying both the resilience of the stranded passengers and the unwavering hospitality of their hosts.

With a vibrant score that draws on Celtic and folk influences, "Come From Away" celebrates the best of humanity—highlighting how ordinary people can come together to create extraordinary moments of love, hope, and solidarity in the most challenging times. It’s a heartwarming and unforgettable testament to the power of community and the enduring spirit of kindness.

We chatted with Jordan Hayakawa, who plays Janice, Gander's local reporter, in the production. 

National Tour, Come From Away; credit: Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

Janice’s role highlights the challenges of being a newcomer to journalism during such an unprecedented event. She grapples with the emotional weight of the stories she encounters while striving to report them with professionalism and accuracy. She offers a fresh perspective, often providing moments of levity amid the tension, as she tries to balance her role as both an observer and a participant in the extraordinary acts of generosity unfolding in Gander. Her journey reflects the growth and resilience required to navigate unexpected crises, both for those reporting the news and for those living it.

Through Janice, Come From Away underscores the importance of storytelling in preserving history and celebrating the profound humanity that emerged from tragedy.

MI: (Matt Inawat, GoPride) What drew you to the role of Janice and Come From Away and how do you connect with the character on a personal level? 

JH: (Jordan Hayakawa) I auditioned for a couple of different parts in this show. Janice is really kind of fresh and she's a reporter and it's her first day at work when all of the events of the play occur. So she's really nervous and trying to understand all these things that are happening. 

That kind of nervous energy. I definitely related to because this is my first really big tour.

MI: Let's talk about that energy for a little bit. The show does capture like all these real life emotions and all these stories. How did you bounce portraying those intense emotions while staying true to yourself as a performer? 

National Tour, Come From Away; credit: Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

JH: It's really interesting when we were in rehearsals for this show. Our director was really pushing a very naturalistic, realistic point of view. That is what makes the show really effective to audiences - the, the realism and seeing these people and knowing that is a true story and that we're trying our best to portray real people. 

He also likes to say that there's no crying in Come From Away. We're not allowed to cry ourselves. We're here to make everyone else cry. But if we like fight the urge to cry and we try and handle those emotions without releasing them, it becomes much more powerful for the people watching the show.  

MI: What kind of research helped you better understand the experience of journalists during 9/11 in addition to the broader themes of the musical? 

JH: We were provided a lot of really great resources for the show. It's been a really educational experience for me because I was a baby when 9/11 happened. I know factually what happened, but getting to learn about the events and the kindness of these people. A real peoples' point of view.

There is a documentary. It's mentioned in the show that Tom Brokaw made a segment and he interviewed people who came back to Gander about the events. So we watched that, which is really interesting because some of the people who are in the characters, are in that piece.

It was really interesting and we actually had the opportunity to meet some of the real people who these characters are based on.

MI: This show requires a really deep level of collaboration. What's it like working with the cast and how does that teamwork enhance the story?  

JH: It's so much fun. I love the energy of it because there's only 12 people on stage, but we all play so many characters and we are all on stage for a significant portion of the show. I feel like there are moments when I'm on stage and I don't have lines. I'm not in the scene, but I just get to sit and like be there and watch and give energy to the people who are speaking. It just feels really nice. 

And I know that when I am on stage talking or doing something difficult that I have 11 other people on stage also sending good vibes my way. It's a lot of teamwork, it's a lot of just can do attitude, being open to being there and supporting other people, which is really fun. 

MI: Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where you grew up? And how did you find your passion for acting? 

JH: I grew up in Davis, California. I have two siblings. I have a twin brother and an older sibling and they both are professional actors. So the three of us grew up doing theater together in Davis and my brother and sister both actually live in Chicago now and work in the Chicago theater scene. 

So I'm really excited to be back in Chicago and I'm going to be sleeping on my brother's couch while I'm in town. We grew up doing like community theater and dance classes and stuff altogether. So it was a family affair for sure. 

MI: What do you hope audiences take away from your specific portrayal of the reporter and as well as the overarching themes that come from away? 

National Tour, Come From Away; credit: Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

JH: I hope they laugh. Janice is really fun and I love her humor. It's never purposeful. She's very awkward and it's very funny. I love Janice because she gets to be kind of a narrator of sorts.

I hope people just come with an open heart and I feel like it's a really important story for right now - about people from all over the world who were able to come together in this time of hardship and open their homes and welcome one another - and just see each other as other humans and show compassion and love for one another.

MI: Are there any charities that are near and dear to your heart that you want to talk about? 

JH: The first one that comes to mind for me is Broadway cares. I feel like it's really overarching and like it touches a lot of actors' hearts and though I am not a member of Equity, I really support all of the work they do. 

I've also been thinking a lot about the Trevor project recently. It's rough out there right now for queer people.

About the show

COME FROM AWAY returns to Chicago for a limited engagement January 21 – 26, 2025 at the CIBC Theatre (18 W. Monroe). Individual tickets go on sale to the general public tomorrow, Friday, November 22, 2024, and will be available for purchase at BroadwayInChicago.com Groups of 10+ can be purchased by calling (312) 977-1710. 

Ticket prices range from $40-$120 with a select number of premium seats. For more details, visit BroadwayInChicago.com.