On September 11, 2001 the world stopped. On September 12, their stories moved us all.
COME FROM AWAY is the breathtaking musical that reminds you of what good the human spirit is capable of. Written by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, and directed by Christopher Ashley, this musical shines a lot on the best of what we are capable in the absolute worst of times.
In a heartbeat, 38 planes with 6,579 passengers were stranded in a remote town in Newfoundland on a devastating day in September 2001. The locals in Gander opened their hearts and homes to thousands of stranded strangers, spurring unexpected camaraderie in extraordinary circumstances.
Come From Away is more a rambunctious, musical exhalation rather than a deep and thoughtful examination. It's a snapshot of lives far from New York and D.C. in flux. 9/11 is not the show's focus or even default focus: it is simply the event that has brought these people together. The show now finds itself in New York, site of the most iconic tragedy of that day-and a cheery rock-musical about 9/11 may not be the first theatrical choice for those to whom the city has long been home and who may have their own complex relationship to 9/11. For some, maybe the musical itself strikes a bum note: it is not set here, and it is not directly about the human tragedy of that day. But Come From Away doesn't trivialize the events of 9/11 or seek to facetiously co-opt them. It is as simple in its focus as the acts of goodness and gratitude at its thematic core.
COME FROM AWAY, the inspiring, funny and kick-ass beautiful new musical serving as the Broadway debut for the married team of Irene Sankoff and David Hein, who co-authored the book and score, takes a true story that began on September 11th, 2001, and tells it in an exhilarating fashion that celebrates decency and human kindness. The helpers of Come From Away were not in a position to risk their lives on that tragic day, but they were given the opportunity to open their hearts and, as dramatized on the Schoenfeld stage, they gloriously did so....As a theatre critic, I'm often asked by people I meet for recommendations. Before answering, I always ask what kind of plays or musicals they usually like, so I can match them up with something they'd more likely enjoy. As long as Come From Away is playing on Broadway, I will recommend it to everyone. Everyone.
2016 | Washington, DC (Regional) |
Ford's Theater Production Washington, DC (Regional) |
2017 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
2018 | Toronto |
Toronto Production Toronto |
2018 | US Tour |
First National Tour US Tour |
2021 | West End |
Original West End Production West End |
2023 | US Tour |
North American Tour US Tour |
Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
---|---|---|---|
2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Book of a Musical | Irene Sankoff |
2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Choreography | Kelly Devine |
2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Costume Design for a Musical | Toni-Leslie James |
2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Director of a Musical | Christopher Ashley |
2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical | Jenn Colella |
2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Lyrics | Irene Sankoff |
2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Music | Irene Sankoff |
2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Musical | Come From Away |
2017 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Orchestrations | August Eriksmoen |
2017 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Production of a Broadway of Off-Broadway Musical | Come From Away |
2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Book of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway) | Irene Sankoff |
2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Choreographer | Kelly Devine |
2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Director of a Musical | Christopher Ashley |
2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical | Jenn Colella |
2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding New Broadway Musical | Come From Away |
2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding New Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway) | Irene Sankoff |
2017 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Sound Design (Play or Musical) | Gareth Owen |
2017 | Tony Awards | Best Book of a Musical | Irene Sankoff |
2017 | Tony Awards | Best Choreography | Kelly Devine |
2017 | Tony Awards | Best Direction of a Musical | Christopher Ashley |
2017 | Tony Awards | Best Lighting Design of a Musical | Howell Binkley |
2017 | Tony Awards | Best Lighting Design of a Musical | Howell Binkley |
2017 | Tony Awards | Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre | Irene Sankoff |
2017 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical | Jenn Colella |
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