By Jed Lanyon
Former Wesburn and Millgrove resident Kellie Rode is currently playing the role of Bonnie Harris in the hit musical Come From Away.
Come From Away tells the true story of thousands of airline passengers who were left stranded following the September 11 terror attacks.
Thirty-eight planes holding over 6000 people were diverted to the small Canadian town of Gander, Newfoundland where the locals had the challenging task of accommodating the passengers.
Bonnie Harris was the manager of an animal shelter and was initially told there were no animals on board the stranded planes, only to find 19 creatures including two rare apes.
“It’s so incredible to be playing a real person in a real story in a musical,” Ms Rode said.
“While everyone was distracted with the welfare of the humans, Bonnie was worried about the animals.
“She’s quite the real life superhero.”
Ms Rode met with Ms Harris to gain a better understanding of her story and said she was grateful to receive a Christmas card from her.
“I’m not trying to mimic or imitate her, but it is useful to have her real story to draw upon.”
Ms Rhode grew up in the Yarra Valley and attended Mount Lilydale Mercy College.
“I’m very proudly born and raised in the Yarra Valley. I lived in Millgrove and moved to Wesburn all of five minutes away.
“For my first gig playing Sophie in Mamma Mia, I used to have pictures of the mountains to keep me grounded and to remind me of the peace waiting for me at home.”
Ms Rode said the warm-hearted story of Gander reminded her of the community spirit shared by those in the Yarra Valley.
“I can’t wait for more people to experience this… It’s a beautiful, uplifting and inspiring story.
Come From Away is currently showing at the Comedy Theatre until November.
For more information, visit: https://comefromaway.com.au/
