Come From Away is a popular Canadian musical that tells the true story of the passengers on 38 planes who were diverted to Gander, Newfoundland after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The musical first premiered in 2015 and quickly became a hit, garnering critical acclaim and spawning productions across North America and around the world. But is Come From Away still being performed in its home country of Canada in 2023?
Come From Away Background
Come From Away was created by the Canadian husband-and-wife duo Irene Sankoff and David Hein. They interviewed residents of Gander and surrounding towns as well as some of the 7,000 “plane people” who found themselves stranded when U.S. airspace closed suddenly on 9/11. The characters and dialogue in the musical are based on these real conversations and experiences. The show’s title comes from the Newfoundland expression “come from away” which refers to people from anywhere outside of the province.
After developing the musical over several years, it premiered at the La Jolla Playhouse in California in 2015. The show then opened on Broadway in March 2017 and went on to earn seven Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical. Other early productions included a sold-out run in Seattle in 2016 and a Toronto production in 2016-2017. Come From Away has earned praise for its upbeat spirit and message of kindness and community, providing a reflection on 9/11 that focuses on generosity and hope rather than tragedy.
Productions Across Canada
In addition to the original Toronto staging in 2016-2017, Come From Away has been performed in several other Canadian cities since its debut:
- A second Toronto production ran from February to May 2021 at the Royal Alexandra Theatre with restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- A touring production across 28 cities nationwide launched in Winnipeg in February 2020 but was cut short due to COVID-19. It resumed performances starting in Winnipeg again in June 2021 through March 2022.
- A production in Ottawa ran from June to July 2021 at the National Arts Centre.
- The musical had a limited run in Edmonton in August 2021.
- A new production opened in Vancouver in June 2022 and is still currently running as of October 2023 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
In addition to these major Canadian productions, Come From Away has also been staged at various regional theaters and by theater companies across the country.
Current and Upcoming Productions
As of October 2023, there is one current major production of Come From Away still running:
- Vancouver, BC at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre – June 15, 2022 through January 1, 2024
This show still has tickets available through early 2024, indicating the musical’s continued popularity in Canada.
In addition, there are several upcoming productions of Come From Away scheduled in Canada:
- Saskatoon, SK at the Conexus Arts Centre – November 15-20, 2022
- Victoria, BC at the Royal Theatre – November 22-27, 2022
- Montreal, QC at Place des Arts – March 14-19, 2023
These limited engagements are part of an expanded North American tour throughout 2022 and 2023. The tour is expected to include over 45 cities across the continent.
Popularity and Relevance
Nearly 25 years after the events that inspired the show, Come From Away continues to resonate with Canadian audiences. As a uniquely Canadian story of generosity, it provides a welcome message of hope and human connection. While large scale musicals have struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic, Come From Away has shown an ability to rebound thanks to pent up demand and flexible seating policies.
Come From Away seems poised to remain a staple of Canadian theater for years to come. The current coast-to-coast tour demonstrates that the show still has strong appeal across Canada. Furthermore, the recently announced Montreal production indicates that the musical continues to reach new audiences. While the multiple waves of COVID-19 have posed challenges, Come From Away has shown resilience and staying power even after its Broadway debut in 2017.
For the foreseeable future, Come From Away remains a quintessential Canadian theatrical experience that still entertains crowds from St. John’s to Vancouver. The true story of compassion following 9/11 retains a message that resonates across the country and around the world.
Conclusion
In summary, while Come From Away has not had a permanent production in Canada since its original Toronto run ended in 2017, the hit musical is still being regularly performed across the country through touring productions and limited engagements. The current Vancouver production is scheduled to run through early 2024, indicating strong continued ticket sales and popularity. Come From Away seems primed to remain a Canadian theater staple for years to come thanks to its inspirational story and themes of generosity that appeal to audiences nationwide.