As communities mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre is staging the hit Broadway musical Come From Away. To honor the milestone, the community theater is offering complimentary tickets for first responders and military members, alongside a discounted student matinee.
The Bottom Line
- The Production: The Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre is mounting Come From Away to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
- Special Access: First responders, veterans, and active-duty military personnel qualify for free “hero tickets,” while high school and college students can attend a $5 matinee on September 20.
- Run Dates: Performances are scheduled across the weekends of September 11–13 and September 18–20, with general admission tickets priced at $27.50.
Honoring a Milestone Through Community Theater
Few modern theatrical works capture the intersection of tragedy and profound human kindness quite like Come From Away. The musical chronicles the real-life response of a remote Canadian town on the island of Newfoundland. When news of the September 11 attacks arrived, dozens of planes would soon make emergency landings there.
According to David Parmelee, general manager of the Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre, the production strikes a balance between solemn remembrance and uplifting community spirit.
The staging is helmed by director Angel Berlane Mulcahy, with musical direction handled by Kimberly Johnson. For regional theater audiences, catching a production of this scale offers a chance to experience a contemporary Broadway phenomenon up close.
Accessibility, Hero Tickets, and Student Outreach
Regional theater organizations often face the challenge of honoring significant cultural anniversaries while maintaining box office viability. The Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre has addressed this by structuring targeted access initiatives for the community.
Firefighters, police, emergency medical personnel, veterans, and active-duty military members are eligible for complimentary “hero tickets.” To underwrite these admissions, the theater is actively collecting donations. Meanwhile, students holding valid high school or college identification can secure admission to a special student-only matinee on September 20 for just $5. That performance will also feature a Q&A session with the cast.
| Production Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Venue | Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre (537 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre) |
| Run Dates | Weekends of Sept. 11–13 and Sept. 18–20 |
| Showtimes | Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 3:00 p.m. |
| General Admission | $27.50 (Advance tickets available via ltwb.org or box office) |
| Special Pricing | Free for first responders/military; $5 student matinee on Sept. 20 |
The Continuing Cultural Footprint of a Modern Broadway Hit
The journey of Come From Away remains a success story of theater. After a run of 1,684 performances on Broadway, the show continues to tour widely.
When professional touring houses and regional groups like the Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre take on the material, they sustain the show’s core message. By embedding community outreach directly into the ticketing model—such as the Wilkes-Barre box office initiative at 570-823-1875—the production bridges the gap between commercial entertainment and grassroots civic engagement.
As audiences fill the seats on North Main Street this month, the production serves as a timely reminder of how live performance continues to process collective history. Whether you are revisiting the score or discovering the story for the first time, regional mountings ensure these narratives remain dynamic and accessible.
How are local arts organizations in your area marking historical milestones this year? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
