A Rochester Hills community theater will mark its 80th season by opening a musical about neighbors helping strangers on the exact anniversary of the event that inspired it.

Avon Players launches its 2026–2027 season with "Come From Away" on Sept. 11, the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The production runs eight performances through Sept. 26 at the nonprofit's A-frame theater in the Historic District of Rochester Hills, according to Rochester Media.

The musical tells the true story of Gander, Newfoundland, a town of about 10,000 that took in roughly 7,000 stranded airline passengers from 38 diverted planes after U.S. airspace closed on Sept. 11, 2001. Residents housed and fed the travelers for days.

Director Ryan Moore of Royal Oak said the show's ensemble structure fits its theme. A cast of 12 actors, largely all on stage throughout, plays more than 150 individuals over the course of the 100-minute, one-act show, portraying both Gander locals and stranded travelers.

"Although the terrorist attacks are the catalyst for the story, this is a very uplifting and even surprisingly funny musical about people rising to the occasion under very difficult circumstances," Moore said. "It's less a '9/11' musical and more a '9/12' musical because it's about what people do after an unexpected calamity."

The cast and crew include several names from the Greater Rochester area. Axel Link of Rochester plays "Bob" and other roles, and Caitlin O'Brien of Rochester plays "Beverley" and others. From Rochester Hills, Terek Murray plays "Kevin J," Geoffrey Wickson plays "Kevin T," John (JD) Deierlein handles lighting design and vocal direction, Nicholas Kibler runs sound design and Mark Misch produces. Jill Blazis-Sloan of Oakland Township designed costumes.

The broader production team spans metro Detroit communities including Clinton Township, Detroit, Fraser, Hartland, Oak Park, Madison Heights, Royal Oak, Shelby Township, Sterling Heights, Warren and Waterford.

Founded in 1947, Avon Players is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has performed in its A-frame theater along the banks of Stoney Creek since 1965, about two miles from downtown Rochester.

What to know

  • When: Sept. 11–26. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m.
  • Tickets: $35, all seats reserved. Group discounts available. Season packages save up to 15% per ticket.
  • Parking: Free
  • Rating: PG-13 for occasional adult language and references to real-life violent events
  • Box office: 248-608-9077 or avonplayers.org

The 7:30 p.m. evening curtain is new for the 2026–2027 season. Avon Players has not yet announced the remaining shows in its 80th-season lineup.