Theatre
News
Smash hit musical Come From Away arrives in Perth!
Pack your tissues!
The smash hit musical Come From Away is making its highly anticipated arrival to Crown Theatre Perth this May.
“As the world collectively faces one of the greatest challenges in modern times, Come From Away reminds us that compassion is at the core of our humanity. This is a story about unity, and about acting with kindness regardless of our differences.”
Producer Rodney Rigby
If you are unfamiliar with Come From Away‘s incredible story, let us get you up to speed. The production is based on the true story of thousands of passengers diverted to the isolated community of Gander, Newfoundland in Canada following the events of September 11, 2001. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendships. It’s a story of comradery and the capacity for human kindness, even in the hardest of times. It ‘takes you to a place where you didn’t know you wanted to go, and makes you not want to leave.’ (Newsweek, 2017).
‘When we first started this, we hoped that Canadian high schools would be forced to do it because it would be a historical piece and there were lots of characters that all the kids could play,’ says David Hein, who co-wrote the musical with his wife, Irene Sankoff. ‘Those were our big ambitions. But what we’re seeing now is that it’s a universal story.’
The Australian Company, which took audiences by storm when it made its debut in July 2019, marks the sixth production of the musical worldwide, joining long-running current seasons on Broadway, in Toronto, the West End, and a US National Tour.
Come From Away‘s Australia debut season grew to nine months of critical acclaim and standing ovations, becoming the most successful production in the Comedy Theatre’s 91-year history.
The musical has won countless awards internationally including the 2017 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical (Christopher Ashley), five Outer Critics Circle Awards (New York) including Outstanding New Broadway Musical, three Drama Desk Awards (New York), four Helen Hayes Awards (Washington, D.C), four Gypsy Rose Lee Awards (Seattle), and six San Diego Critics Circle Awards including Outstanding New Musical.
In 2019, as well as being voted our Ticket of the Year, Come From Away added to its international award tally with four Olivier Awards including Best New Musical, and four Broadway World UK awards taking its international award tally to 41. In 2020, the musical earned five Green Room awards including Best Production and Best Ensemble.
What do the critics think?
It’s all well and good for us to tell you that this production is a brilliant, heartwarming way to spend a couple of hours, but why don’t we check out what the critics had to say about its debut Melbourne season?
“Come From Away eschews the conventional musical bling…This puts all the focus is on the hardworking cast, who each play a multiplicity of roles…Under Christopher Ashley’s direction, these simple conventions are richly various, ensuring the show is never dull…Come From Away reminds us of a truth that is easily forgotten and too often suppressed: that human beings are most often instinctively kind to those in trouble.”
The Guardian
“In its textured celebration of the power of community, in its focus on a bunch of people creating something admirable from events thrust upon them, it is profoundly moving. Indeed, it is hard to overstate Come From Away’s emotional impact.”
Daily Review
“Come From Away is a moving tribute to the power of community, at a time when kindness and compassion often seem to be in short supply. Written and performed with incredible heart, it is a beautiful, inspiring production.”
Limelight Magazine
