Producers Rodney Rigby and Junkyard Dog Productions have announced that worldwide smash hit, Tony and Olivier award-winning musical Come From Away will play at Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre from 27 August, with a season at Theatre Royal Sydney from 5 November 2022.
“Come From Away is the perfect show for our time; an opportunity to come together and celebrate an inspirational story of hope and humanity,” said Producer Rodney Rigby.
“The reception for this show across Australia has been ecstatic and we are thrilled to be sharing it with audiences in Melbourne and Sydney again later this year.”
Melbourne has had a love affair with this world class production, taking the city by storm when the musical premiered in July 2019. Enjoying months of standing ovations and universal acclaim, it went on to break box office records to become the most successful production in the Comedy Theatre’s 94-year history.
The musical opened in Sydney in June 2021, immediately garnering rapturous reviews and accolades from audiences, before being ravaged by Covid outbreaks, shutdowns and restrictions.
Come From Away recommences a national tour in July 2022, premiering at HOTA on the Gold Coast, before moving to Melbourne for a strictly limited season in August, followed by Sydney in November and Canberra in 2023.
Come From Away follows the incredible real-life journey of 7,000 air passengers who were grounded in Gander, Newfoundland in Canada in the wake of the September 11 tragedy. The small community that welcomed the ‘come from aways’ into their lives provided hope and compassion to those in need.
Award-winning writers David Hein and Irene Sankoff travelled to Newfoundland and interviewed thousands of locals, turning their stories into an inspiring musical to share with the world.
The outstanding ensemble includes Kyle Brown, Zoe Gertz, Manon Gunderson-Briggs, Douglas Hansell, Kat Harrison, Joe Kosky, Phillip Lowe, Joseph Naim, Sarah Nairne, Natalie O’Donnell, Emma Powell, David Silvestri, together with Kaya Byrne, Jeremy Carver-James, Noni McCallum, Michael Lee Porter, Alana Tranter and Jasmine Vaughns.
With book, music and lyrics by David Hein and Irene Sankoff, Come From Away is directed by Tony Award winner Christopher Ashley, choreographed by Olivier Award winner Kelly Devine (Rock of Ages, Diana), with music supervision by Ian Eisendrath (A Christmas Story, Diana), scenic design by Beowulf Boritt (Rock of Ages, Be More Chill), costume design by Toni-Leslie James (Jelly’s Last Jam), lighting design by Howell Binkley (Jersey Boys, Hamilton), and sound design by Gareth Owen (Diana, A Bronx Tale).
Come From Away won the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical (Christopher Ashley) and four Olivier Awards including Best New Musical, Best Theatre Choreographer (Kelly Devine), Best Sound Design (Gareth Owen) and Outstanding Achievement in Music.
Since its Australian premiere in 2019 the production has added five Green Room awards, including Best Production and Best Ensemble, to its award tally, along with being voted Ticketmaster’s ‘Ticket of the Year’ by Australian audiences. Come back together at Come From Away!
Come From Away will play at Home of the Arts (HOTA), Gold Coast from 7 July; before playing the Comedy Theatre, Melbourne from 27 August; Theatre Royal, Sydney from 5 November 2022; and Canberra Theatre Centre from 8 June 2023. For more information, visit: www.comefromaway.com.au for details.
Image: The Australian Company of Come From Away – photo by Jeff Busby