Thankfully, American Crossroads delivers a production worthy of that incredible material.
Having attended the July 9 preview performance, I left impressed by what was already a beautifully directed, polished, and emotionally engaging production. Preview performances naturally come with a few rough edges, but none were significant enough to diminish the experience. More importantly, the audience was completely invested. After the show, I overheard countless conversations praising how emotional, moving, and well executed the performance had been. The standing ovation at the end felt completely earned.
A Cast Without a Weak Link
One of Come From Away‘s greatest challenges is that nearly every actor portrays multiple characters, often changing personalities, accents, and costumes within seconds – a complexity that can easily become confusing. Fortunately, this cast navigated those transitions with confidence and clarity.
Even when a few preview-performance hiccups occurred, the actors recovered so naturally that they never interrupted the flow of the story. That level of professionalism speaks highly of both the performers and the rehearsal process.
Perhaps the greatest compliment I can give is that there simply wasn’t a weak link in the ensemble. Every performer contributed meaningfully, and each deserved the standing ovation they received.
While the entire cast was fantastic, there were some worth mentioning specifically. Charlie Tuttle was a delightful Beulah. She perfectly captured the warm, dependable personality that makes Beulah feel like everyone’s favorite school secretary, second mom, and trusted neighbor all rolled into one. Her mannerisms felt authentic, and she brought genuine heart to the role. Christine France was equally impressive, skillfully shifting between the playful, flirtatious Annette, and the calm authority of Captain Beverly Bass. Those two personalities couldn’t be more different, yet France transitioned between them effortlessly. Her portrayal of Bass carried the quiet confidence and strength that the role demands. JT Street brought wonderful energy to Kevin T., embracing the character’s outgoing personality with humor and charisma without ever tipping into caricature.
Together, Amber Turner and Richard Bugg became one of the production’s greatest strengths. Their chemistry felt genuine, their performances complemented one another beautifully, and their scenes together carried both warmth and authenticity. Amber Turner delivered another one of the evening’s standout performances. As Diane and several additional characters, she combined exceptional vocals with a wonderfully natural stage presence. Amber’s excitement was infections as she explored Gander and fell in love with a stranger. Turner made every emotional beat believable and had one of the strongest singing voices in the production that consistently drew the audience’s attention whenever she was onstage. Frequently by her side, Richard Bugg also stood out as Nick, capturing both his awkward charm and sincere kindness.
Simplicity That Serves the Story
One of the reasons Come From Away works so well is its commitment to simplicity. Rather than relying on elaborate scenery or flashy effects, the musical trusts its performers, storytelling, and music. Director Trent Dahlin wisely embraced that philosophy, as did the rest of the crew.
Tyson Chanticleer’s set design was exactly what it needed to be: functional, flexible, and unobtrusive. Chairs transformed into airplanes, buses, and meeting spaces with remarkable efficiency, allowing the story to remain the focus. Scene changes happened quickly and naturally, maintaining the brisk pacing that makes the show so compelling. Sometimes less really is more, and this production understood that.
Choreography Keeps the Energy Moving
Christine France’s choreography deserves particular recognition. The ensemble moved with precision and purpose, creating the sense of a tightly knit community even while portraying dozens of different individuals.
While remaining faithful to the spirit of the original Broadway staging, it also felt tailored to this cast and performance space. The movement wasn’t simply decorative – it became an essential storytelling tool, reinforcing the rhythm of the music and constantly driving the narrative forward. Numbers like “Welcome to the Rock” and “Heave Away” radiated infectious energy. It’s difficult not to find yourself smiling throughout these sequences as the choreography, staging, and music combine into something undeniably joyful.
A Few Lighting Issues During the Preview
The production’s one noticeable weakness came in Dylan Frank’s lighting design – or perhaps more accurately, its execution during this preview performance.
There were several moments where scenes felt unexpectedly dark or visually muted in ways that didn’t seem to support the emotional tone. At times, performers appeared difficult to see, and a few spotlight cues seemed slightly mistimed.
The most notable example occurred during “Me and the Sky.” This number has the potential to become one of the emotional highlights of any Come From Away production, and Christine France certainly delivered the performance to match. However, portions of the song were dimly lit when they seemed to call for greater visual emphasis. Rather than enhancing the moment, the lighting occasionally distracted from an otherwise excellent performance.
A handful of other scenes experienced similar issues. It’s entirely possible that these were simply preview-performance adjustments that will be refined as the run continues. Given how polished the remainder of the production already felt, I suspect many of these concerns will disappear quickly.
A Production Worth Adding to Your Summer
American Crossroads has assembled a thoughtful, heartfelt production that honors the original work. Strong performances, excellent choreography, smart staging, and an ensemble that works beautifully together made this a show that deserves full houses throughout its run. If you’re looking for summer theater that will make you laugh, move you emotionally, and remind you of the good people are capable of even during humanity’s darkest moments, Come From Away is an easy recommendation.
MORE INFO: Come From Away runs through August 7 with both evening and matinee performances available at American Crossroads Theatre (Cedar City, UT 84721). Prices range from $20-$34. Tickets and additional information can be found through the American Crossroads website here.
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