25 Years Later, Gander’s Welcome Lives On- Come From Away 2026

Come From Away Gander is thrilled to welcome Josh Breckenridge back to the Rock. Returning to the production for the first time since being an original cast member, Breckenridge is trading the bright lights of Broadway for centre stage at the Joseph R. Smallwood Arts & Culture Centre this summer.
For Josh, returning to Come From Away in the very place where its story began comes with a deep sense of responsibility. Performing the show in Newfoundland isn’t just another stop on the theatrical map; it’s an opportunity to honour the people whose kindness inspired the story in the first place. “It's time to brush up on this accent. We better know our stuff because we're back in the town that once welcomed us with such open arms." he said, looking back on the Broadway cast’s initial 2016 trip to Gander for two sold‑out performances and the pride and connection locals feel when they see their story come alive on stage.  A southern California native, Breckenridge is excited to spend the summer on the edge of the Atlantic. Along with reuniting with castmate Petrina Bromley, he’s most looking forward to getting out and experiencing all that Newfoundland and Labrador has to offer.

Returning for her fourth consecutive year with the Gander production is Newfoundland native Petrina Bromley. She has been part of Come From Away since its very first performance in La Jolla in 2015 and describes the experience as “the gift that keeps on giving—it’s like pass the parcel, except it never gets to an end.”
She recalls that early reactions to the show were mixed. People on both sides of the border asked the same surprised question: You made a musical about 9/11? Some were unsure how a musical could honour such a tragedy, while many others didn’t believe that what happened in Gander that day could even be theatre‑worthy. But at its heart, the story isn’t about the planes, it’s about people. The generosity of the people of Gander and surrounding communities takes centre stage, something Bromley sums up simply: “It’s a very human thing; innately human. Everyone needs help, and everyone has the capability to give help.”