Broadway's hit musical Come From Away will be at the Canberra Theatre Centre in November.
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Producer Rodney Rigby and high commissioner for Canada in Australia Mark Glauser made the announcement on Wednesday, followed by a performance by Come From Away star Zoe Gertz, who sang one of the musical's showstoppers Me and the Sky.
Inspired by true events, Come From Away follows the journey of 7000 air passengers, who became stranded in Gander, Newfoundland in Canada in the wake of September 11.
It tells the story of how, after 38 planes are ordered to land unexpectedly after the attacks, this small community welcomes the "come from aways" into their lives and homes.
Gertz portrays Beverley, who became American Airlines' third female pilot in 1976, and was one of the pilots to land in Gander on September 11, 2001.
"I remember September 11, vividly," Mr Glauser said.
"I would never have thought that there would be a musical about anything related to those events. Certainly, nothing is stunning as Come From Away. Nothing as captivating; nothing as uplifting as Come From Away.
"While the story is unique, it's also universal. Even in the darkest hours there is light. Come From Away is about that light. It's about joy. It's about unexpected friendships.
"The production tells the story of that small community and the 7000 passengers. They were fed, they were clothed, comforted by the people of Gander. It's an example of hope and humanity. As the community opened their hearts and their homes, to people from all over the world."
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Award-winning husband and wife duo, Dave Hein and Irene Sankoff travelled to Newfoundland on the 10th anniversary of September 11 and interviewed thousands of locals, compiling stories that eventually would become the book, music and lyrics for the musical.
Come From Away - which debuted in 2013 - went on to win numerous awards, including a Tony for Best Direction of a Musical, and have five international companies for the production on Broadway, Toronto, the West End, the US National Tour and, now, Australia.
The musical first opened in Melbourne in 2019, where it broke box office records and became the most successful musical ever staged at The Comedy Theatre. The Australian production was also the first Come From Away production to return the stage internationally following the coronavirus.
Since returning in January, it has had encore Melbourne and Brisbane seasons, and is partway through a Sydney season at the moment.
"We became a light on the hill for all our colleagues around the world that have been dealing with being thrown out of work, trying to survive the experience of Covid in North America and England," Mr Rigby said.
"As the world collectively faces one of the greatest challenges in modern times, this show 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."
- Come From Away will be at the Canberra Theatre Centre from November 4 for a limited season. Tickets go on sale from July 19. People can join the waitlist at comefromaway.com.au.
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