Come From Away Tickets

The New York Times has called it A Canadian Embrace on a Grim Day. Variety called it A Moving Tribute to the Indomitable Human Spirit. Come Away From tells the story of the 38 planes and its passengers who were directed to the sleepy town of Gander, Newfoundland, after the 9/11 attacks. The musical, which is based on a book, has lyrics from Irene Sankoff and David Hein. Come from Away was first produced at the Sheridan College in Ontario. After successful runs at the Seattle Repertory Theater and La Jolla Playhouse, the musical was performed at the Royal Alexandria Theater in Toronto and Ford’s Theater in Washington, D.C. Catch this musical on Broadway with Come from Away tickets available here.

Come from Away finally got its Broadway debut at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theater on March 12, 2017.

Humanity amongst Destruction and Mayhem

Since 2001, the date September 11 has become synonymous with terror, intolerance and the eternal debate of ‘us against them’. Even though one side showed the worst of what zealots can do, the flipside revealed the best of humanity. From Rick Rescorla to all the firefighters who entered the World Trade Center knowing full well that there was a slim chance they would come out, the musical Come from Away tells the story of such compassion.  Based on a book, the musical revolves around Operation Yellow Ribbon when on Sept 11, 38 civilian and 4 military aircrafts were diverted to Gander International Airport in Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada. The diversion saw more than six and a half thousand passengers and crew members descend upon a sleepy town in Canada. The musical chronicles the passengers and crew members stay in Gander while America recovers from the worst terrorist attack on its soil.

A History of Production

The idea for the musical was conceived by theater producer Michael Rubinoff. He recruited Irene Sankoff and David Hein of the My Mothers Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding fame to write the musical. On the ten year anniversary of the attacks, both Sankoff and Hein visited Gander where they interviewed the locals and visiting passengers. The accounts of those interviews became a big part of the musical. Even though an initial 45 minute workshop version which was a part of the Sheridan College Music Theater Performance Program was produced in 2012, it wasn’t until 2015 the musical got its first professional production. The collaboration between the La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle Repertory Theater was a success as it had extended runs and also broke records at the Seattle Repertory Theater.

Nest stop for the musical was the Ford’s Theater in Washington, D.C. from September till October, 2016. The last months of the 2016 saw the musical being performed at the Royal Alexandra Theater in Toronto, Ontario. The tickets for the entire run, November 15 till January 8, were sold out during the second week of performances. It also set a record for the hundred year old Royal Alexandra Theater selling $1.7 million tickets in a single week. After setting records in DC, the musical moved to Broadway in New York and opened in previews on February 18, 2017. On March 12, 2017 Come from Away opened at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theater. Chad Kimball, Jenn Colella, Joel Hatch, Rodney Hicks and Caesar Samayoa have been all part of the production since the beginning.

Reviews and Reception

Starting from Seattle at the Seattle Repertory Theater, Come from Away has garnered positive reviews. Jay Irwin of the Broadway World said the musical was emotionally transcendent and the best musical he has ever seen.

At the Ford’s Theater in Washington, D.C. David Gerson of the DC Metro Theater Arts said it was one of the most refreshing pieces of art. Washington Post’s Peter Marks said in his review that Come from Away stirred powerful memories of 9/11.

Kelly Nestruck for The Globe and Mail said that the heartwarming musical lived up to its hype. Talking about the Royal Alexandra Theater production, he further elaborated that the musical benefited from an accessible story, a strong emotional core and beautiful songwriting. However, all these facets should not distract the audience form the original gem this musical is.

Broadway also welcomed this musical with open arms with Ben Brantley of the New York Times calling the gale of good will emanating from the musical irresistible. Come from Away will play at Broadway till the end of 2017. If you’d like to catch a well thought out musical, then get Come from Away tickets here.