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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.
#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
#Do you have what it takes to join us in Gander?
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#COME FROM AWAY: Cast Call
Applications close: 9am, Monday 11th November.
The Empire is now taking registrations for auditions for the 2025 production of Come From Away.
Audition period
Auditions will be held at The Empire, 54-56 Neil Street, Toowoomba from 22-25 November.
Applicants will be emailed with their confirmed time to attend their audition.
The audition process may take up to 10 minutes for sing/act and 45 minutes for dance.
Call backs & cast announcements
Role call backs will be held as necessary over the audition period.
All auditionees must be available for call backs on Friday 29th & Saturday 30th November.
If needed, call backs may continue on Sunday 1st December.
Cast will be announced publicly on Friday 13th December.
Roles on offer
PRIMARY CHARACTERS (LOCALS):
Claude
Bonnie
Beulah
Oz
Doug
Janice
Annette
Garth
PRIMARY CHARACTERS (COME FROM AWAYS):
Beverley
Diane
Nick
Kevin T
Kevin J
Bob
Hannah
ENSEMBLE:
Smaller parts include town staff, passengers, children, air-traffic controllers and animals.
INSTRUMENTATION:
Whistle
Mandolin
Guitar
Fiddle
Drums
Bass
Bodhran
To submit an expression of interest in being part of the Come From Away orchestra, please send a brief email outlining your instrumental and ensemble experience to: orchestra@empiretheatre.com.au.
#What's on
The Lloyd Webber Evolution
Coppélia
Lenny Pearce's Reef Rave Tour
Theatre of Magic
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