When flights were grounded on September 11, 2001, global restaurateur and chef innovator Vikram Garg was among the thousands whose flight was diverted to Gander, Newfoundland — a small town that suddenly had to care for nearly twice its population overnight. Stranded without luggage, with only what he had, Vikram faced uncertainty. But instead of despair, he chose to act.
With a background in hospitality, Vikram stepped up to help organize food relief: building meal plans, using what supplies were available — eggs, cod, fruit, vegetables — to feed thousands of people three times a day. It wasn’t fancy; it was necessary, generous, human.
Local business owners in Gander opened their doors. Volunteers showed up. Everyone chipped in without asking for payment, because in moments of crisis, there was no distinction of nationality or status. Just people.
Now, as Diamond Head Theatre opens its 2025–2026 season with Come From Away — the Tony Award–winning musical inspired in part by stories like Vikram’s — Hawai‘i audiences are getting to see more than entertainment. They get authenticity, shared humanity, resilience. The cast has met with Vikram. They’ve heard his voice, felt his story. And that real-life connection brings this production alive in a deeper way.
Mark Your Calendar
- When: September 12–28, 2025
- Where: Diamond Head Theatre
- Box Office: (808) 733-0274 — Mon–Fri, 10 am to 4 pm
Meet the Cast
- Chelsea LeValley — Beverley/Annette & Others
- Howard Bishop — Claude & Others
- Andrew Erwin — Oz & Others
- Kalani Hicks — Nick & Others
- Samuel Tafolo — Kevin J. & Others
- Isaiah Gundermann Graham — Kevin T. & Others
- Jarren Amian — Bob & Others
- Vanessa Manuel Mazzullo — Beulah & Others
- Marisa Noelle Capalbo — Bonnie & Others
- Courtney Watabe — Dianne & Others
- Lelea‘e “Buffy” Kahalepuna Wong — Hannah & Others
- Ainsley Shearer — Janice & Others
- Standbys / Ensemble: Adam Allison, Landon Ballesteros, Caitlin Bright, David Hurley, Gina Miyazaki, Juliette Moody, Chandler Converse
Sponsors & Support
Mahalo to the generosity of these community sponsors for making this show possible:
- Bingham & Wakabayashi Families
- Mariko & Joseph Lyons
Why This Matters
Vikram’s story reminds us that in the darkest times, compassion still wins. When systems fail, communities rise. Come From Away is more than a show — it’s a living testament to what happens when human beings choose kindness, even when they have nothing else.
