You’ve probably heard the story by now. It’s September 11, 2001. The world is stopping. But in a tiny town in Newfoundland called Gander, things are just starting to get incredibly crowded. 38 planes. 7,000 stranded passengers. One small community that basically just decided to open their doors and hearts because, well, that’s what you do. Now, Come From Away Tysons is bringing that exact energy to Northern Virginia, and honestly, it’s a lot to process if you aren't ready for the emotional gut-punch.
The show is landing at Capital One Hall. If you haven't been, it's this massive, sleek venue in the heart of Tysons that feels more like a spaceship than a theater. But once the lights go down and that first "Welcome to the Rock" drumbeat hits, you forget you’re sitting in a corporate hub next to a Wegmans. You're in Newfoundland.
Why This Specific Run Matters
Most people think they know the story because they saw the pro-shot on Apple TV+. Look, that filmed version is great. It’s crisp. But seeing Come From Away Tysons live is a completely different beast. There is something about the acoustic setup at Capital One Hall that makes the Bodhrán drum resonate in your chest. You feel the vibration of the fiddle.
It’s fast. 100 minutes. No intermission.
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That’s usually where people get tripped up. You don't get a bathroom break. You don't get a "let’s go grab a drink" moment. You are strapped into those chairs—which, by the way, are 12 simple wooden chairs that the cast moves around to create planes, buses, and pubs—and you are forced to feel every bit of that tension and eventual joy. It’s exhausting in the best way possible.
The cast is a powerhouse of "track" performers. In this show, almost every actor plays multiple roles. One second, they’re a terrified passenger from Los Angeles; the next, they’re a Gander local trying to figure out how to feed 7,000 people with a few scrambled eggs and a lot of goodwill.
The Tysons Venue Factor
Capital One Hall isn't the Kennedy Center. It doesn't have that old-world, velvet-curtain prestige, which actually works in favor of a gritty, folk-heavy musical like this. The sightlines are actually better than most Broadway houses. Since the theater was built in 2021, they didn't have to deal with those annoying "obstructed view" pillars you find in older D.C. venues.
If you're heading to see Come From Away Tysons, parking is the one thing that will actually ruin your mood if you don't plan it out. Use the retail parking for the Perch or the dedicated garage. Don't just wing it. Tysons traffic on a show night is basically its own circle of hell, especially if there's a heavy rush hour mix.
What the Critics (and the Locals) are Saying
People in the DMV area are notoriously tough crowds. We’ve seen everything. But this production hits different because of the proximity to the Pentagon. For many in the audience at Come From Away Tysons, the events of 9/11 aren't just a history lesson or a distant news report. They are lived experiences.
I spoke with a local theater-goer, Sarah Jenkins, who saw the show’s opening night in Tysons. She mentioned how the "I Am Here" sequence—where the characters are desperately trying to call home—felt like a mirror to her own experience working in Arlington that day. It’s that raw connection that keeps this show from feeling like a "touring production" and more like a shared therapy session.
The music is "Celtic Rock," but that's a bit of a simplification. It’s a mix of traditional folk, sea shanties, and contemporary musical theater. Irene Sankoff and David Hein, the writers, spent weeks in Gander during the tenth anniversary of the attacks. They didn't just write a play; they transcribed a town's soul. Almost every line in the show is adapted from actual interviews with the real-life "Come From Aways" and the residents.
Navigating the Logistics of Capital One Hall
You’ve got options for food, but honestly, skip the standard theater snacks. Tysons is a food mecca now. You can hit up The Perch for a pre-show beer or grab something at Starr Hill Biergarten right on the roof. It sets the tone. You want that communal, "we're all in this together" vibe before you sit down for a show about radical hospitality.
- Check the schedule: Weekend matinees are usually packed with families. If you want a more focused, "quiet" crowd, the Tuesday or Wednesday evening shows are your best bet.
- The Seat Map: Try to stay in the center orchestra or the front of the balcony. The way the sound bounces in that room, being too far to the sides can occasionally muffle the fast-paced lyrics of "28 Hours."
- The Cast: Touring casts change. Some nights you'll get the equity leads, other nights the understudies. Honestly? The understudies for this show are often just as good because the ensemble nature of the script requires everyone to be a "lead" in their own right.
Is It Too Sad?
This is the number one question people ask. "I don't want to be depressed for two hours."
Fair.
But Come From Away Tysons isn't about the tragedy. It’s about the Tuesday after. It’s about the 38 planes that were diverted to a town with only 500 hotel rooms. It’s about the Mayor of Gander, Claude Elliott, who basically told the world "we've got this." There are moments that are incredibly funny. The "Screech-In" ceremony, where people have to kiss a cod fish to become honorary Newfoundlanders, is pure comedy. You will laugh. You will definitely cry. But you won't leave feeling heavy. You'll leave feeling like maybe humans aren't so bad after all.
It’s the antidote to the "everything is terrible" news cycle.
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Final Practical Advice for Your Visit
When you walk out of the theater, give yourself a minute. Don't rush to your car immediately. The Tysons area around the hall is actually pretty walkable now. Take a stroll, grab a coffee, and let the music sink in.
If you are a student or a senior, keep an eye on the Capital One Hall website for "rush" tickets. They don't always advertise them heavily, but sometimes you can snag a seat for a fraction of the price if you're willing to show up right before the curtain.
Also, bring tissues. Even if you think you’re "not a theater person." You’re gonna need them when Beverly Bass starts singing "Me and the Sky." It's a tribute to the first female captain at American Airlines, and it’s arguably one of the best solo numbers written in the last twenty years of musical theater.
Come From Away Tysons is a rare bird. It's a commercial success that hasn't lost its heart. It’s a reminder that when the world stopped, a small town moved.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip:
- Book Directly: Avoid third-party resellers who mark up prices by 40%. Use the official Capital One Hall box office or Ticketmaster links provided through the venue site.
- Arrive 45 Minutes Early: Security at Tysons can be surprisingly slow, and there is no late seating during the first 15 minutes because of the way the actors enter through the aisles.
- Listen to the Soundtrack First: If you have trouble processing fast dialogue, listen to the Broadway cast recording once before you go. The lyrics fly by, and knowing the "who's who" helps you keep track of the character swaps.
- Dine at the Perch: Make a night of it. The rooftop park is one of the coolest things in Northern Virginia and perfectly complements the "high-altitude" theme of the show.