Closing North American Skies: The People and Stories Behind COME FROM AWAY

When tragedy hit the United States on September 11, 2001, decisions on what to do had to be made quickly. Lieutenant General Eric “Rick” Findley of the Royal Canadian Air Force was on watch as NORAD’s Director of Operations that day, overseeing both Canadian and U.S. personnel and North American air space at Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center. Captain Beverley Bass, American Airlines’ first female Captain and a character in COME FROM AWAY, was en route from Paris to Dallas with 156 passengers plus crew.

Lt. General Findley, Captain Bass, and COME FROM AWAY cast member James Earl Jones II joined Canadian Consul General Ariel Delouya in a special panel to share about their experiences and decisions on that day and how those actions led to the hit musical.

Presented in partnership by Des Moines Performing Arts and the Consulate General of Canada.