Come From Away at CIBC Theatre

CIBC Theatre proudly presents some of the best Broadway performances around, and this winter that lineup includes Come From Away. This musical adaptation of the book by the same name follows the true events-inspired story of Gander, Newfoundland, and its awe-inspiring spirit of generosity in times of tragedy.

Story

During the early hours of September 11, 2001, the Federal Aviation Administration shut down the American skyline as an emergency response to the New York City terrorist attacks. This shutdown forced several planes to ground early and, fortunately, America's neighbor to the north opened its airports and military bases to American planes that needed to land. Among the many cities that welcomed stranded passengers was Gander in Newfoundland, a modest town of only 10,000 people.

The townsfolk gladly received the 6,579 grounded passengers with open arms and homes. The beautiful storytelling of this Broadway performance displays the various cultural clashes and adjustments of these two groups learning to navigate unique times in the same location while ultimately forming connections that would last a lifetime. This Broadway performance gives the audience an uplifting message of hope, heart, and the power of being there for others in troubling times. 

History

The show's inception started with Michael Rubinoff, a lawyer and theater producer from Toronto. Rubinoff worked with a few different writing teams but eventually entrusted things to David Hein and Irene Sankoff to turn this inspiring true story into a moving theatrical performance. Together, these two iconic storytellers wrote a book about the hospitality of the people of Gander and the music and lyrics for the musical they workshopped in Ontario.

After hearing the first-person reports, the writers workshopped a 45-minute performance for the Canadian Music Theatre Project in 2012. The show's success later led to a longer production at Sheridan in 2013, finding its way to The National Alliance for Musical Theatre in New York. Eventually, Come From Away would arrive in the USA, performing for event goers in San Diego and Washington D.C. before finally making its Broadway appearance in 2017.

Awards

Following seven musical nominations for the 71st Tony Awards, Come From Away became the longest-running Canadian musical on Broadway. The highly acclaimed musical has also won several awards, including the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Musical in 2017 and a Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical in 2017. From memorable songs like "Welcome to the Rock" and "On the Edge" to the well-accomplished cast, which includes Phillip Lowe, Alice Fearn, and David Thaxton, this Tony Award nominee guarantees the theatrical event of a lifetime.

Come From Away comes to CIBC Theatre on Wednesday 22nd January 2025, so book your tickets now starting at $59!