Header Image: ORIGINAL AUSTRALIAN COMPANY – Image by Jeff Busby
Been wondering when you will be able to enjoy your major musicals in Brisbane again? Mark 28 March 2021 on your calendar, with producers Rodney Rigby and Junkyard Dog Productions confirming that the heartwarming, uplifting musical Come From Away will re-open QPAC’s Lyric Theatre from that day. It will be the first major musical to open in Queensland since COVID-19 shuttered the door of virtually all performing arts venues in the state, and will run for a strictly limited season.
Come From Away’s Brisbane season follows its original 2019 season at the Comedy Theatre in Melbourne, where it closed for the best part of a year now. Brisbane will be the second leg in the show’s East-Coast Australian tour, commencing with an encore Melbourne season from 16 February 2021, followed by a Sydney season at the Capitol Theatre starting 3 June 2021.
Come from Away adapts the real-like story of 7,000 air passengers who find themselves grounded in Gander, Newfoundland, Canada in the wake of the tragic September 11 tragedy. The small community, not necessarily equipped to manage such an influx of visitors, welcome the “come from aways” into their lives and provided hope and compassion to those in need.
Come From Away was originally directed by Tony Award winner Christopher Ashley, with choreography by Kelly Devine, music supervision by Ian Eisendrath, scenic design by Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Toni-Leslie James, lighting design by Howell Binkley and sound design by Gareth Owen. The book, music and lyrics were created by David Hein and Irene Sankoff, who travelled to Newfoundland and interviewed thousands of locals, compiling their stories to share with the world.
Producer Rodney Rigby, who in recent years has served as producer of major musicals including the Australian tour of Jersey Boys, had this to say about the show coming to Brisbane:
As the world collectively faces one of the greatest challenges in modern times, COME FROM AWAY 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.
Tickets for Come From Away will be available to purchase through the QTIX Box Office from Thursday 26 November 2020 at 9.00am either online or by calling 136 246.
