Tony and Olivier award-winning musical 'Come From Away' will play at Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre once again from 27 August.
Almost everyone remembers where they were when the Twin Towers fell, but few have a story as fascinating and uplifting as Come From Away, a show set in the aftermath of 9/11 due to return to the Comedy Theatre in Melbourne after a successful run on Broadway.
The musical opened in Sydney in June 2021 before being ravaged by Covid outbreaks, shutdowns and restrictions. It now recommences a national tour in July 2022, premiering at HOTA on the Gold Coast, before moving to Melbourne for a strictly limited season in August, followed by Sydney again in November and Canberra in 2023.
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Come From Away follows the passengers of 38 planes that were abruptly diverted to Newfoundland, Canada when the United States’ airspace was closed on September 11. In a matter of hours, the real-life town of Gander almost doubled in population to accommodate nearly 7000 stranded passengers – so-called “come-from-aways” – from nearly 100 countries.
The musical softens the horror of the worst terrorist attack in US history, a tragedy that claimed 3000 lives and forever changed American domestic and foreign policy, by focusing on how Gander’s residents rose to the challenge of clothing, housing and feeding thousands of travellers. It’s a heart-warming anecdote amid impossibly grim circumstances.
The cast play multiple, diverse roles, switching effortlessly between them with simple accent and costume changes, including a gay couple from LA who are initially wary of being open about their relationship in case the rustic locals are homophobic (they aren’t) and a Muslim passenger who is treated with cruel suspicion and forced to submit to a degrading strip-search. Heavier themes like post-9/11 islamophobia are touched on, but only briefly before the next foot-stomping number.
The set is basic, with a scattering of chairs and tables repeatedly rearranged to represent the interior of planes, buses and diners. Otherwise, much of the staging is left to the imagination, and it’s a testament to the tightness of the script and the storytelling power of musical theatre that the show never becomes crowded or confusing.
Musically, the show draws from its subject matter, with Newfoundland-inspired, folksy numbers like “Heave Away” and “Screech In”. “Me and the Sky”, performed by standout Zoe Gertz, is the show’s most memorable song, though perhaps not as catchy as “Welcome to the Rock”, the anthemic opening number that establishes Come From Away’s upbeat tone.
Despite its seemingly depressing premise, Come From Away is mostly a fun romp buoyed by a rollicking soundtrack and a worthy message of hope and solidarity between strangers. Those expecting anything more than occasional moments of profundity may be disappointed, but the show is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Come From Away won the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical (Christopher Ashley) and four Olivier Awards including Best New Musical, Best Theatre Choreographer (Kelly Devine), Best Sound Design (Gareth Owen) and Outstanding Achievement in Music.
Since its Australian premiere in 2019, the production has added five Green Room awards, including Best Production and Best Ensemble, to its award tally.
Come From Away returns to Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre from 27 August 2022.
Tickets for the Melbourne season are on sale now. Head here for more info.
