Come From Away, the most successful Canadian musical to hit Broadway ever, is finally closing its run on the Great White Way.
After 1,670 performances, the musical will close at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on October 2, 2022. Written by husband-and-wife team Irene Sankoff and David Hein, the show is based on the true story of how the people of Gander, Newfoundland welcomed thousands of strangers into their homes in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
As the airspace was closed down over North America, several planes were diverted to Gander’s airport, resulting in a situation where there were more strangers than residents in town. Legendary Newfoundlander hospitality won the day, and many of the people involved remain close to this day. Hein and Sankoff based their book on extensive interviews and research.
The Toronto production closed in December 2021, shocking the local theatre community. Cancelled shows due to COVID, and the uncertainty brought on by the Omicron variant wave, led to the unfortunate decision. At the time, David Mirvish issued a statement where he compared the situation in Ontario with that in places like the UK, US, and Australia, where the theatre sector had received more in the way of government support.
Making history…
The show opened in New York City in 2017, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and former prime minister Jean Chrétien were among many high profile members of the audience over the years.
Come From Away was nominated for seven Tony Awards in 2017, and won for best direction of a musical (Christopher Ashley). It was also awarded three Drama Desk awards.
Come From Away has been staged all over the world, including China, various locations in Europe, and Australia, where a touring production is in full swing through 2022. A UK production won four coveted Olivier awards in 2019.
According to producers Junkyard Dog Productions, by its October end date, Come From Away will be the 49th longest-running production in Broadway history. On June 15, it will also be the longest-running show to ever take the stage at the venerable 105-year-old Schoenfeld theatre.
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