THE ORIGINAL CANADIAN PRODUCTION OF COME FROM AWAY PERFORMS ITS 1,000TH PERFORMANCE
For Immediate Release
Media Contact: John Karastamatis, Sue Toth, Erin Nantais
The original Canadian production of the multi-award winning global sensation Come From Away will mark a milestone on January 29, 2025 when it gives its 1000th performance at the historic Royal Alexandra Theatre.
Book, Music & Lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein
Directed by Christopher Ashley
Musical Staging by Kelly Devine
The Canadian production of Come From Away began in Toronto on February 18, 2018, and played to sold-out audiences for over two years, until its run was cut short by the global COVID pandemic on March 13, 2020. It returned to the stage on December 15, 2021, when theatres and other public spaces were allowed to reopen. Only seven days later, on December 21, this run was cut short by the new COVID variant, Omicron, which triggered the government to announce a new lockdown.
For safety and to ensure a healthy future run, the producers opted to put the show on hiatus until times were more consistently stable. When the show was ready for its return, it did so in our nation’s capital. Indeed, Come From Away began its next chapter at the National Arts Centre English Theatre, running August 14 to September 1, 2024.
The show finally returned to its original Canadian home, the Royal Alexandra Theatre, on September 22, 2024, and was greeted with rave reviews and standing ovations.
“Not many shows play 100 performances,” explains David Mirvish. “To reach 1,000 is truly remarkable. In Toronto there have only been four shows that have managed this – The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, The Lion King and Mamma Mia! Come From Away joins this illustrious club.”
“This demonstrates not only the popularity of this homegrown musical, but also speaks of its timeless themes of kindness, acceptance and understanding,” says Hannah Mirvish. “Of course, this would not be possible if it weren’t for the brilliant writing of the book, music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, the astute direction of Christopher Ashley and the excellent work of the wonderful creative team Chris assembled.” Come From Away has much more to be proud of:
- More than 1,300,000 patrons have seen the show since it began performances in 2018.
- Box office sales surpassed $140,000,000, including over $16,000,000 in HST.
- Estimated economic impact to the Toronto economy of over $1.1 billion.
- The show created over 11,000 employment weeks for cast, stage managers, musicians, crew members and front-of-house team members.
About The Current Cast
Come From Away features an all-Canadian cast starring: Kyle Brown as Bob & others, Saccha Dennis* as Hannah & others, Steffi DiDomenicantonio* as Janice & others, Barbara Fulton* as Diane & others, Lisa Horner* as Beulah & others, James Kall* as Nick/Doug & others, Jeff Madden* as Kevin T. /Garth & others, Ali Momen* as Kevin J. /Ali & others, Cory O’Brien* as Oz & others, Kristen Peace *as Bonnie & others, David Silvestri* as Claude & others and Cailin Stadnyk* as Beverley/Annette & others. The cast also includes Clint Butler, Kate Etienne*, Barbara Johnston, Jawon Mapp, Sarah Nairne and Aaron Walpole as Standbys.
*Original Canadian company members
About Come From Away
This New York Times Critic's Pick takes you into the heart of the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendships.
This breathtaking musical is written by Tony®-nominated Canadians Irene Sankoff and David Hein and features Tony®-winning direction by Christopher Ashley. Newsweek cheers, “It takes you to a place you never want to leave!”
On 9/11, the world stopped.
On 9/12, their stories moved us all.
Come From Away features a book, music and lyrics by Olivier, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award winners and Grammy and two-time Tony Award nominees Irene Sankoff & David Hein, direction by Tony Award winner and Outer Critics Circle Award winner Christopher Ashley, musical staging by Olivier Award winner and two-time Tony Award nominee Kelly Devine, and music supervision by Olivier Award winner and Grammy Award nominee Ian Eisendrath.
Come From Away features scenic design by Tony Award winner Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Tony Award nominee Toni-Leslie James, lighting design by two-time Tony Award winner Howell Binkley, sound design by Olivier & Outer Critics Circle Award winner and Tony Award nominee Gareth Owen, orchestrations by Olivier Award winner and Grammy & Tony Award nominee August Eriksmoen, and music arrangements by Olivier Award winner and Grammy Award nominee Ian Eisendrath. The Canadian production features casting by Stephanie Gorin, CSA, CDC.
A “Best Musical” winner all across North America, the smash hit musical has won the Tony Award for “Best Direction of a Musical” (Christopher Ashley), 4 Olivier Awards (London) including “Best New Musical,” 5 Outer Critics Circle Awards (NYC) including “Outstanding New Broadway Musical,” 3 Drama Desk Awards (NYC) including “Outstanding Musical,” 4 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards (North American Tour) including “Best Production,” 4 Helen Hayes Awards (D.C.) including “Outstanding Production of a Musical,” 4 Gypsy Rose Lee Awards (Seattle) including “Excellence in Production of a Musical,” 6 San Diego Critics Circle Awards including “Outstanding New Musical,” 3 Toronto Theatre Critics Awards including “Best New Musical,” 3 Dora Awards (Toronto) including “Outstanding New Musical/Opera” and “Outstanding Production,” and the 2017 Jon Kaplan Audience Choice Award (Toronto).
The Grammy Award-nominated original Broadway cast recording of Come From Away is available digitally and in stores everywhere. Grammy Award winner David Lai and Grammy Award nominees Ian Eisendrath, August Eriksmoen, Irene Sankoff & David Hein served as album producers.
Come From Away was originally produced by Junkyard Dog Productions (Randy Adams, Marleen and Kenny Alhadeff and Sue Frost).
Come From Away was originally co-produced in 2015 by La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle Repertory Theatre, and presented in 2016 by Ford’s Theatre in Washington, DC, and Mirvish Productions at the Royal Alexandra Theatre.
Come From Away was developed at the Canadian Music Theatre Project (Michael Rubinoff Producer, Sheridan College in Oakville, ON), and was further developed at Goodspeed Musicals’ Festival of New Artists, in East Haddam, CT. It was also part of the National Alliance of Musical Theatre’s Festival of New Musicals in New York 2013. The Canada Council for the Arts, The Ontario Arts Council, and the Fifth Avenue Theatre in Seattle, WA, also provided development support.