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Come From Away
7,000 Stranded Passengers. One Small Town. A Remarkable True Story.
Presented by The Empire
#A celebration of the best of humankind
The Tony and Olivier Award-winning Broadway musical Come From Away tells the remarkable true story of 7,000 airline passengers stranded in the aftermath of 9/11 and the small Canadian town that welcomed them with open arms. When US airspace was abruptly closed, the isolated community of Gander, Newfoundland, found itself playing host to strangers from around the world — a group affectionately known as 'come from aways'.
Though cultures clashed and tensions ran high at first, what unfolded was a powerful journey of human connection. Suspicion gave way to trust, music filled the air and acts of kindness forged friendships that would last a lifetime.
This heart-warming production brings to life the real residents of Gander and the stranded travellers they embraced, with characters often sharing the names and stories of their real-life counterparts. What began as an ordinary day in a remote town became an extraordinary testament to compassion, reminding us that, in moments of crisis, we are all part of a global family.
Book, Music and Lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein.
Licensed exclusively by Music Theatre International (Australasia).
Q&A
Join us for a post-show Q&A session on Sunday 16 March.
Accessibility
The performance on Sunday 16 March will be Auslan interpreted by Auslan Stage Left.
Friday 14 March - 7:30pm
Saturday 15 March - 7:30pm
Sunday 16 March - 2:00pm
Friday 21 March - 7:30pm
Saturday 22 March - 7:30pm
Sunday 23 March - 2:00pm
Musical
100mins with no interval
#Meet The Creative Team
David Wynen
Director/Choreographer
David Wynen is an international music theatre and dance expert. He has worked as a “triple threat” in all aspects of theatre, television and film. Major theatrical credits include Hocus Pocus, 42ndSt, Carmen, Don Quixote and the original cast of Billy Elliot. He is constantly in demand as a director, choreographer and music theatre educator and has worked in Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the US.
Currently, Wynen is the Head of Dance at the State University of New York. Prior to his arrival in the US, he was the Head of Music Theatre at Federation University, Australia. He has been instrumental in teaching and mentoring students and professionals, working in such diverse fields as film, TV, event management, choreography, direction, writing and performance. His students have appeared in international productions such as Kinky Boots, Mamma Mia, We Will Rock You, Wicked, Legally Blonde, Jersey Boys, Matilda, Les Miserables, The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, Hairspray, Cats, Strictly Ballroom, A Chorus Line, The Lion King, The Producers, Moulin Rouge, Come From Away and Six.
Owen Clarke
Music Director
A conductor, trombonist and violinist, Owen has a wealth of experience in professional, amateur and youth music. Hailing from New Zealand he moved to Australia in 2015 after a sixteen-year career as the Director of Music for the Royal New Zealand Air Force and Navy Bands. Since settling in Queensland, Owen has been in demand as an adjudicator, conductor and educator. He has taught at schools as diverse as Brisbane Girls Grammar School, the Aboriginal Academy in Coen, Cape York and his current role as Director of Performing Arts at All Saints Anglican School on the Gold Coast.
He has been Music Director for the musical Wicked, Legally Blonde and The Tales of Hoffman, and conducts concerts by the Rockhampton Symphony and Gold Coast Philharmonic Orchestra. Owen returns regularly to New Zealand as Artistic Director of the Rhapsody Rotorua Youth Music Festival.
Frances Story
Set Design
Frances first experienced the arts and entertainment industry as a contemporary dancer with Choreographer Claire Marshall. Following a Bachelor of Interior Design (QUT) and encouragement from Claire, Frances found her niche as a Set Designer, combining her love of live performance and design.
Frances has been with Iceworks Design for the past 10 years, during which time she has worked on a wide variety of shows and projects including Set and Costume Design for SK Entertainment's Friends! the Musical Parody, Set Design for SK Entertainment's Menopause The Musical, Set Design for The Show Co's Mamma Mia The Musical and Set Design for The Empire's Cinderella.
Debra Nairn
Costume Design
Debra has been working in theatre, starting as a teenager, for 50 years. She started as a dresser but very quickly moved on to costume manufacture. Over the last 30 years The Empire Theatres and Toowoomba Choral Society have given Debra the opportunity to work in a place she loves, and also to move forward into costume design. Debra has designed costumes for Mary Poppins, Wicked, Les Miserables, Mamma Mia!, and 2024's Cinderella. Debra is looking forward to the challenges a contemporary style of show like Come From Away brings. Debra's love for theatre and sewing meshes perfectly with her work.
Ben Hunt
Lighting Design
Ben has been in the entertainment industry for over twenty years with his work in technical production beginning “behind the spotlight” and soon after he was hooked. Whilst working for The Empire as the resident Head of Lighting, Ben has also worked freelance as a programmer & lighting designer and has toured nationally. He has worked across an array of entertainment genres including rock & roll, musicals, film and television, dance works and corporate events. A collection of his Lighting Designs includes: Cinderella, We Will Rock You, Mamma Mia!, Kinky Boots, Pirates of Penzance, Sweeney Todd, Grease & Miss Saigon.
Rob Darvell
Construction
Rob started his professional technical theatre career in 1983. In that time he has worked in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Seoul.
During the same period, he taught at Monash University for seven years. He has at some point worked in every technical position except that of costume cutter.
Most recently, he worked as Head of Production of La Boite Theatre Company before accepting a position at The Empire so as to have a life.
Michaela Francis
Stage Manager
Michaela Francis is a Toowoomba local who grew up performing on the Empire Theatre stage. Michaela holds a Bachelor of Creatives Arts: Theatre (Acting) but her strongest passion lies in Stage Management. While studying she undertook many secondments and internships including A Christmas Carol with Shake & Stir Theatre co, and Medusa with Myths Made Here.
Some highlights from her career so far include Cinderella (SM) and The Boy From Oz (SM) with The Empire Theatre, The Producers (ASM) with Altitude Theatre Company and Sister’s Are Doing It For Themselves (ASM) with The Little Red Co, both at The Brisbane Powerhouse, Once On This Island (ASM) at the La Boîte Theatre, and touring Northern Queensland as Stage Manager for the cabaret The Lounge Suite. Michaela is thrilled to be working on such a challenging and rewarding show with this amazing company.
Timothy Panitz
Producer
Tim’s passion for live performance began in childhood, playing in brass bands, jazz bands, choirs, musicals, and even rocking out in the late 80s with The Untouchables. A knack for production blossomed in the 90s, propelling him into a career spanning theatre, rock, and broadcast, both across Australia and internationally. Now, as Operations & Technical Services Manager at The Empire and Producer for major musicals, Tim is inspired daily by the generosity and spirit of the artists around him. He’s honoured to help share the heartwarming, unifying message of Come From Away with our community. Welcome to the Rock!
#Welcome To The Rock
The island of Newfoundland is known as 'The Rock.' 'The Rock' is where our story takes place. When the U.S. shut down its airspace, Canada offered to house inbound planes flying from Europe. Planes were diverted to fly into Gander International Airport.
#Timeline of Events
Come From Away is based on actual events that took place on September 11, 2001 and the days that followed.
10,000
Approximate Gander population in 2001
6,579
Number of people grounded in Gander on September 11, 2001
4
Number of hours it takes to get to the nearest Starbucks (in St. John's!)
38
Number of planes diverted to land in Gander
100
Number of countries represented by the people grounded in Gander
19
Number of animals in cargo
317
Number of minutes the 'Come From Aways' initially waited to exit the planes
550
Number of hotel rooms in Gander
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