The man who won a Tony Award on Sunday for directing 鈥淐ome From Away鈥� says he believes the Newfoundlanders who inspired the musical can offer a lesson to his fellow Americans.
Christopher Ashley tells 麻豆传媒 Channel that the Gander residents who welcomed thousands of Americans after their flights were grounded on Sept. 11, 2001 took 鈥渆xtraordinarily good care鈥� of strangers.
鈥淎t such a difficult, fractured time in our world right now, it鈥檚 a great time, I think, to tell a story about kindness and generosity and people who open their hearts and their homes,鈥� he said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 the only time in my lifetime that Americans have been refugees,鈥� he added.
Ashley said Gander residents were also generous and kind to him as he researched the project.
鈥淚 think I gain five pounds every time I go up there for a research trip,鈥� he joked.
Ashley said the musical, which had been nominated for seven Tony Awards, is 鈥済aining traction鈥� on Broadway.
鈥淚t seems like it might have a real run in New York,鈥� he added.
stopping in several Canadian cities.
