Come From Away, the hit Broadway musical that tells the true story of 7,000 airline passengers stranded in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, had an extremely popular and critically acclaimed run in Australia from July 2019 to February 2020. After being forced to close early due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been much speculation about whether the show will return Down Under.
Quick Answer
As of October 2023, there are currently no plans for Come From Away to return to Australia. The Australian production closed prematurely in February 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. While there was hope that the show would eventually come back once conditions improved, no return season has been announced yet. Fans eager to see Come From Away will have to hold out hope that the show may eventually mount another Australian tour.
Background on the Australian Production
Come From Away premiered in Australia at the Comedy Theatre in Melbourne on June 19, 2019. The Australian production was directed by Christopher Ashley, who also directed the original Broadway production, and featured choreography by Kelly Devine. Positive reviews quickly poured in, with critics praising the moving story and dynamic ensemble cast.
After completing its Melbourne run, the show transferred to Brisbane from September to October 2019 before arriving in Sydney at the Capitol Theatre in December. Strong ticket sales showed that Australian audiences were enthralled by the heartwarming true story of generosity and goodwill shown by the people of Gander. Come From Away garnered numerous award nominations, including Helpmann Awards for Best Musical and Best Original Score.
Early Closing Due to COVID-19
The Sydney production had been scheduled to run through until March 2020. However, due to the escalating COVID-19 situation, the show was forced to close prematurely on February 8, 2020 after just over two months. At the time, there was hope that the acclaimed musical would eventually return once the pandemic stabilized enough for live theatre to resume safely.
However, over three years later, Come From Away still has not announced any plans for a comeback Australian tour. The extended shutdown of live events in Australia due to prolonged COVID-19 restrictions likely complicated any efforts to remount the production quickly.
What Are the Chances of It Returning?
While nothing is confirmed, there is still a possibility Come From Away could return to Australia at some point in the future. Several factors could influence this:
- The musical remains very popular, winning a Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical in 2017. There would likely be significant audience demand to see it again in Australia.
- Australia already had a successful production, proving the show’s appeal with local audiences.
- As more time passes from the pandemic shutdowns, theaters may be looking for proven hits to launch new seasons and attract patrons back.
- However, securing the rights again could be tricky with competing demands from other markets. The North American touring production is currently very active.
- Production costs would need to be recouped, especially if launching a major new tour.
While nothing is guaranteed, the success of the previous Australian tour and the ongoing popularity of the musical worldwide make it seem promising that an Australian revival could potentially happen in the coming years.
What Fans Can Do
Die-hard Come From Away fans eager for its return can take some actions to help boost the chances:
- Sign up at the official website to join the mailing list and receive updates about potential future productions.
- Help spread the word on social media and let producers know there is still strong demand in Australia.
- Organize fan campaigns calling for a return tour.
- If traveling abroad, attend a production in another country to support the show.
- Purchase the cast recording and recommend it to others.
While the musical’s return is still speculative, fan enthusiasm and support can go a long way in influencing producers’ decisions about future tours and revivals.
Other Options for Australians to See Come From Away
Until an Australian revival is confirmed, fans still have some other options to see Come From Away live:
International Productions
- Travel to see the show in Broadway, London, Canada or on the North American tour. The musical is still running in many major theater markets.
- Look for productions in Asian markets like Japan, South Korea or the Philippines if traveling to those regions.
Local Australian Productions
- Amateur rights were recently released, so look for small local productions at community theaters or drama societies.
- Students may also be able to see it performed at Australian high schools or universities with theater programs.
While not the same as a full-scale professional production, these options can still allow fans to experience the musical live until a major revival happens.
Conclusion
Come From Away ended its all-too-brief Australian run over three years ago, and the uplifting 9/11-era musical has yet to announce any plans to return Down Under. While the show remains very popular worldwide, complex factors from rights availability to production costs could influence whether a revival happens. Die-hard fans can show their support and monitor announcements in hopes of a future Australian tour. In the meantime, traveling to see the show in other countries or catching local productions remain the best options to get one’s fix of Come From Away.