After a successful pre-Broadway run, it opened onBroadway at theGerald Schoenfeld Theatre on March 12, 2017, and became a critical and box office success. Alive recording of the production was released on September 10, 2021, on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the attacks. The Broadway production closed on October 2, 2022, after playing 25 previews and 1,669 regular performances. It has had successful runs in several countries, including playing 1,048 performances on theWest End in London.
The show was conceived byMichael Rubinoff, aToronto lawyer, theatre producer, and associate dean of visual and performing arts atSheridan College in Oakville. After being turned down by several writers, he reached out to husband and wife teamIrene Sankoff andDavid Hein after seeing their 2009 showMy Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding. Sankoff and Hein, who had been living in New York during the September 11 attacks, did not find the concept bizarre, and felt that the idea of telling a Canadian story was inspiring.[1]
In 2011, Sankoff and Hein visitedGander on the tenth anniversary of the attacks and spent almost a month interviewing people. Rubinoff used their initial script to produce a 45-minute workshop version for theCanadian Music Theatre Project in 2012.[2] It was the first show developed there.[1] The workshop was sufficiently successful that Rubinoff asked Sankoff and Hein to finish writing it for a full production at Sheridan in 2013. The full production, directed byBrian Hill, was an artistic success, but Rubinoff was unable to attract a Canadian producer for further development.[2][3]
In 2013,Goodspeed Musicals includedCome from Away in their workshop program,[1] and the National Alliance for Musical Theatre in New York selected it as a showcase presentation, where its performance led to the show being optioned by Junkyard Dog Productions, the production company behindMemphis.[2]
Come from Away is a 100 minute one act musical.[4] Every event in the show is based on a real event, but Sankoff and Hein gathered more stories than could be included.[2] The characters are "a tribute" to the real people portrayed, but "not necessarily them".[5]
On the morning of September 11, 2001, the townspeople of Gander describe life in Newfoundland and how they learn of theSeptember 11 attacks on the radio ("Welcome to the Rock"). Claude, the mayor of Gander, is informed of the attacks by Janice, a new reporter in town, while at a localTim Hortons. The town receives the news that the US airspace has been closed, causing US-bound flights to bediverted across Canada, including 38 toGander International Airport ("38 Planes"). This nearly doubles the population of Gander, and the townspeople make preparations to care for the 7,000 stranded passengers. Beulah and Annette, two schoolteachers, prepare the local school to take in passengers, while Janice asks for the community to provide resources ("Blankets and Bedding").
For hours, the plane passengers are forbidden from leaving the planes, and are without information about the attacks. They express frustration and fear at being stranded. A GanderSPCA worker, Bonnie, goes into the plane holds to search for animals on the planes, and Claude reaches an agreement with Garth, a union leader, to pause the bus drivers' strike and transport passengers ("28 Hours/Wherever We Are"). The passengers are eventually transported to Gander and surrounding towns for shelter ("Darkness and Trees"). A Muslim passenger, Ali, is temporarily detained. The local bus drivers take passengers to the towns and explain the culture of Newfoundland while navigating language barriers with international passengers ("On the Bus"/"Darkness and Trees (reprise)"). The passengers learn why they were grounded and watch replays of the attacks on television ("Lead Us Out of the Night"). They attempt to contact their families ("Phoning Home") and experience disorientation and stress at their situation ("Costume Party").
The town tries to manage food, sanitation, and other necessities for the guests. Some of the passengers try to get home, but are informed by Oz, the constable of Gander, that travel to the US takes several days. Nick, a British passenger, and Diane, a Texan, go for a walk with a gay couple from Los Angeles, both named Kevin. Bonnie and her husband Doug discover twobonobo chimpanzees in the hold of a plane. An American, Bob, is asked to take grills from backyards to set up for a community cookout; he fears he will be shot for stealing, but he finds everyone is friendly and willing to help. Hannah, the mother of a New York firefighter, bonds with Beulah and worries about her son ("I Am Here"). Many of the passengers go to a local Catholic church or other spaces around town to pray ("Prayer"). Ethnic and national tensions erupt among the passengers and townsfolk ("On the Edge"). To alleviate this, the passengers are invited to a local bar and some are initiated as honorary Newfoundlanders ("Heave Away"/"Screech In"). One pilot who has been diverted,Beverley, reflects on her experience as the first female captain forAmerican Airlines ("Me and the Sky").
The planes prepare to leave, and Ali is subjected to a strip search prior to leaving on suspicion he may be a terrorist. When flights are delayed, Nick and Diane go for a walk around the town and realize they will miss each other when they leave Gander ("The Dover Fault"/"Stop the World"). When the planes are cleared for takeoff, the passengers express happiness at returning to the US, and set up a donation fund for the people of Gander ("38 Planes" (reprise)"/"Somewhere in the Middle of Nowhere"). After the events of the last five days, both the townspeople and passengers experience loneliness and fear about the state of the world; Kevin and Kevin's relationship has fallen apart due to the stress of the crisis, and Hannah is devastated to learn her son has died ("Something's Missing").
Ten years after the attacks, the townspeople and the passengers reunite in Gander (including Diane and Nick, who have since married) and celebrate the relationships formed while the passengers were stranded ("Ten Years Later"/"Finale").
Come from Away had its first professional production in 2015. It premiered at theLa Jolla Playhouse inSan Diego as a co-production with theSeattle Repertory Theatre, where it was directed byChristopher Ashley and choreographed byKelly Devine. Its first preview was on May 29, 2015, with an opening night on June 11, 2015 and an initial closing date of July 5, 2015.[22] It was "a hit", and was extended twice until July 12, 2015.[23] The production was nominated for eightCraig Noel Awards[24] and won six.[25] The musical then played at theSeattle Repertory Theatre, where it began performances on November 13, 2015.[26]Examiner.com reported thatCome From Away "set an all-time record for single ticket sales in a 24-hour period at Seattle Rep" as of December 1, 2015,[27] and the managing director of Seattle Rep said it was "now officially the highest grossing work that the theatre has ever done in its 53-year history".[28] It was extended by a week and closed December 20, 2015.[29]
Come from Away began performances atFord's Theatre in Washington, D.C., on September 2, 2016.[30] It was set to close on October 9, 2016, but was extended through October 16.[31] The production was nominated for 14Helen Hayes Awards and won 4, including Outstanding Production.[32][33] Later in October, the cast played two concert performances in Gander at theSteele Community Centre.[5] It played a final pre-Broadway engagement at theRoyal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto, beginning performances on November 15, 2016.[34] The show's entire run sold out during the second week of performances, and the venue added 16 extra seats and one extra performance to try to meet the demand.[35] The musical also set a ticket sales record for the theatre, selling $1.7million in tickets in a single week. The show closed in Toronto on January 8, 2017.[36]
The Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on Broadway during its run ofCome from Away
Come from Away began previews onBroadway on February 18, 2017, at theGerald Schoenfeld Theatre, and officially opened on March 12, 2017. Direction was by Christopher Ashley, choreography by Kelly Devine, scenic design byBeowulf Boritt, costume design byToni-Leslie James, lighting design byHowell Binkley, sound design byGareth Owen.[37] Before the March 15, 2017, performance, Canadian Prime MinisterJustin Trudeau gave a speech to the audience.[38][39] At the71st Tony Awards,Come From Away was nominated for seven Tonys, including Best Musical.[40] It won one, Best Direction for Christopher Ashley.[41] The show was reported to have a $12million capitalization, and recouped in about eight months.[42]
On March 12, 2020,Come from Away closed due to theCOVID-19 Broadway lockdown.[43][44] The show reopened on September 21, 2021, after a year and a half.[45] During the closure, members of the company performed a free concert at theLincoln Memorial to commemorate 20 years since theSeptember 11 attacks.[46] The show closed on October 2, 2022, after 25 previews and 1,669 regular performances.[47][a]
Following the success of the pre-Broadway engagement,Mirvish Productions announced they would be opening a Canadian production ofCome from Away that would include an all-Canadian cast.[49][11] The original Canadian production played an engagement inWinnipeg at theRoyal Manitoba Theatre Centre between January 12 and February 3, 2018.[50] The entire four-week run sold out before performances began.[51] Following this, the production began performances at theRoyal Alexandra Theatre inToronto on February 13, 2018.[52] It recouped its full capitalization in 14 weeks.[53] The show ended its run at the Royal Alexandra Theatre on January 20, 2019.[54] This allowed the production to move to the nearbyElgin Theatre, since Mirvish was stagingDear Evan Hansen at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in March 2019.[55]
While the production was moved between theatres, the cast performed eight benefit concerts of the show at the Holy Heart Theatre inSt. John's.[56] The show opened at the Elgin Theatre on February 5, 2019.[57] Following the early closure ofDear Evan Hansen,Come from Away closed at the Elgin Theatre on December 1, and again transferred back to the Royal Alexandra Theatre, where it resumed performances on December 13, 2019.[58] The musical played there until March 2020, when Mirvish suspended all performances due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[59] After a 21-month hiatus,Come from Away reopened at the Royal Alexandra Theatre on December 15, 2021.[60] After a crew member tested positive for COVID, the show announced it would cancel four performances, planning to resume on December 28. Mirvish subsequently announced on December 27 that the production was closed permanently, citing pandemic-related financial difficulties. Its final performance was December 22, 2021.[61]
Come from Away began a North American tour in October 2018 at the Capitol Theatre inYakima, Washington,[62][63] before officially opening at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, Washington later that month.[64] The cast includedBecky Gulsvig as Beverley/Annette & others,Kevin Carolan as Claude & others, andMegan McGinnis as Bonnie & others.[65] The tour recouped in 19 weeks.[66]
The production was halted on March 16, 2020 after new COVID restrictions were announced.[72] It reopened on July 22, 2021, after 17 months of closure.[73] The West End production closed on January 7, 2023, after 1,048 performances.[74]
An Australian production opened at theComedy Theatre inMelbourne in July 2019.[75] The cast includedNicholas Brown as Kevin J./Ali & others andKatrina Retallick as Diane & others.[76] The production was affected by multiple lockdowns in Australia due toCOVID-19.[77] The company was planned to tour several cities in China, but the tour was canceled due to COVID-19.[78][79][80] It has toured in Brisbane, Sydney, and Canberra, and broke box office records in both Melbourne and Canberra.[81]
A touring production ofCome from Away began March 1, 2024, at theCurve Theatre inLeicester.[82] The cast includedAmanda Henderson as Beulah & others. The tour closed January 5, 2025.[83]
A Swedish-language production played inNorrköping from September 26 to October 25, 2020, and inLinköping from November 20, 2020, to January 9, 2021, at theÖstgöta Theatre.[84]
A Dutch production premiered at the Luxor Theater inRotterdam on November 18, 2021. The cast includedWillemijn Verkaik as Beverley/Annette & others.[85] It ran until June 6, 2022.[86]
A Spanish-language production premiered atTeatro Maipo inBuenos Aires in 2022, and has had four seasons there as of 2025.[95] Several productions ofCome from Away have been staged in Gander. From July 7 to September 3, 2023, a sold-out production ran at the Joseph R Smallwood Arts & Culture Centre. The cast included Broadway cast members Petrina Bromley as Beverley/Annette & others andAstrid Van Wieren as Diane & others.[96][97] Local productions have also run in the summers of 2024 and 2025, directed byJillian Keiley.[98][99]
Come from Away returned to Toronto in 2024 with the support of federal funding.[100] It played at theBabs Asper Theatre in Ottawa between August 14 and September 1, 2024.[101] It then began performances at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto on September 22, 2024[101] and closed May 4, 2025.[102] The majority of the cast returned from the previous Toronto production and, for the Ottawa run, includedIrene Sankoff as Bonnie & others.[101]
Productions were staged at the Kwanglim Arts Center inSeoul[107] and at various theatres across Japan[108][109] in 2024. In 2025, a production played inManila.[110]
After receiving generally positive reviews during its out of town tryouts,[111][112]Come from Away opened on Broadway to mostly positive reviews.Ben Brantley ofThe New York Times wrote that the show's portrayal of it subject "covers a vast expanse of sensitive material with a respect for its complexity".[113] Robert Kahn ofNBC New York called it "dignified".[114] Joe Westerfield ofNewsweek said that the use of the frequent humor in the show is "handled very smartly".[115]
Reception of the characters was mixed. Jesse Green ofNew York criticized the rate at which the actors changed character,[116] and Marilyn Stasio ofVariety said "the characters have no character".[117] The performances were well-received, with Frank Scheck ofThe Hollywood Reporter saying, "all the performers are first-rate, and the fact that they actually look like real people rather than glamorous, Pilates-toned Broadway regulars makes them even more endearing".[118]
Ashley's direction was praised by critics. Peter Marks of theWashington Post saidCome from Away was "some of the most impressive work of his career"[119] and Matt Windman ofAMNY called his direction "precise".[120] The score received mixed reactions from critics. Allison Adato ofEntertainment Weekly said "the music is confident and lively, and the direct, if not necessarily poetic, lyrics keep the character-based story moving at a pleasant clip",[121] while Joe Dziemianowicz ofNew York Daily News said "the music suffers from sameness and a sound mix that obscures lyrics".[122]
Come from Away received mixed reviews on the West End. Dominic Maxwell ofThe Times called it a musical that "gets everything right", complimenting the score and cast.[123] Paul Taylor ofThe Independent criticized the lack of conflict and called it "determinedly inspirational".[124] Michael Billington ofThe Guardian gave it 3 stars out of 5, saying "[t]he show could hardly be better done even if, as a work of art, I found it lacking in complexity and argument".[125] Reviewing the show when it reopened in 2021, Dominic Cavendish ofThe Daily Telegraph said the experience of theCOVID-19 pandemic brought increased relevance to the story.[126]
An original Broadway cast recording was released digitally on March 10, 2017, and physically on March 24, 2017.[127] It peaked at number 92 on the Top Current Albums chart and number two on the Cast Albums chart.[128][129] The album was nominated for theGrammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album at the60th Grammy Awards.[130]
On September 17, 2021, as part of a series of events for the 20th anniversary of 9/11,Covers from Away was released by Craft Recordings.[131] The album featured songs from the show covered by artists from Newfoundland and Labrador, includingAlan Doyle,The Once,The Irish Descendants, andThe Dardanelles.[132]
A Spanish-language cast recording of the Argentine cast was released on June 19, 2025.[133][134]
In November 2017, it was announced thatThe Mark Gordon Company would produce afeature film adaptation of the musical, with Sankoff and Hein writing the screenplay andChristopher Ashley as director.[140] In April 2019, Sankoff and Hein stated that the intention was to shoot in Gander and cast lesser-known actors, with Gander residents asextras.[141] The adaptation was placed on hold indefinitely in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[142]
In February 2021, amidst theCOVID-19 pandemic and its impacts on theperforming arts, it was announcedEntertainment One andRadicalMedia would filmCome from Away live on stage, employing over 200 actors and workers. A May 2021 staging at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theater with Ashley directing and Gordon as producer was filmed in front of an audience that included frontline workers and 9/11 survivors, featuring members of the Broadway cast.[143][144]
The production team includedJennifer Todd,Bill Condon and one of the stage production's producers, Junkyard Dog Productions. Sankoff, Hein,Jon Kamen,Dave Sirulnick and Meredith Bennett executive produced.[143][145] In April 2021,Apple TV+ acquired the film's distribution rights.[146] It was released on September 10, 2021, one day before the 20th anniversary of 9/11.[147]
^Böke, André (February 25, 2025)."Come From Away".musicalzentrale (in German).Archived from the original on September 10, 2025. RetrievedSeptember 9, 2025.
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