David Farnor | On 05, Aug 2021

The filmed version of the Tony & Olivier Award-winning hit musical Come From Away will premiere globally on Apple TV+ this September.

The film is directed by Tony Award-winner Christopher Ashley, who directed the original Broadway production, and stars an ensemble cast led by members of the Broadway show. The original book, music and lyrics were written by Tony and Grammy Award nominees and Olivier Award winners Irene Sankoff and David Hein, who will also serve as Executive Producers alongside RadicalMedia’s Jon Kamen, Dave Sirulnick and Meredith Bennett.

Come From Away tells the story of 7,000 people stranded in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland after all flights into the US are grounded on 11th September, 2001. As the people of Newfoundland graciously welcome the “come from aways” into their community in the aftermath, the passengers and locals alike process what’s happened while finding love, laughter, and new hope in the unlikely and lasting bonds that they forge.

The live performance of Come From Away was filmed at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre this past May in New York City, where the Broadway production is staged, for an audience that included 9/11 survivors and front-line workers; and, employed over 200 people including members of the Broadway crew, staff and creative teams.

The cast starring in the live filmed production includes: Petrina Bromley (original cast member of “Come From Away,” “The Sound of Music”) as Bonnie and others. Jenn Colella (original cast member and Tony Award nominee for “Come From Away,” “If/Then”) as Beverley/Annette and others. De’lon Grant (National tour for “Jersey Boys”) as Bob and others. Joel Hatch (original cast member of “Come From Away,” “Billy Elliot,” “Annie”) as Claude and others. Tony Lepage (“Rock of Ages”) as Kevin T. and others. Caesar Samayoa (original cast member of “Come From Away,” “Sister Act,” “The Peewee Herman Show”) as Kevin J./Ali & others. Q Smith (original cast member of “Come From Away,” “Mary Poppins,” “Les Misérables”) as Hannah and others. Astrid Van Wieren (original cast member and Dora award nominee for “Come From Away”) as Beulah and others. Emily Walton (“Peter and the Starcatcher,” “August: Osage County”) as Janice & others. Jim Walton (“Sunset Boulevard,” “The Music Man”) as Nick/Doug and others. Sharon Wheatley (original cast member of “Come From Away,” “Avenue Q,” “Les Misérables,” “Cats” and “The Phantom of the Opera”) as Diane and others. Paul Whitty (“Once,” “Gettin’ the Band Back Together,” “Amélie,” “The Full Monty”) as Oz and others.

The film will premiere on 10th September.

 

Apple TV+ to bring Come from Away to screens

2nd May 2021

Apple TV+ is stepping onto the digital theatre stage, with a recording of the musical Come from Away.

Winner of 4 Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical, the show shares the incredible real-life story of the 7,000 air passengers from all over the world who were grounded in Canada during the wake of 9/11, and the small Newfoundland community that invited these “come from aways” into their lives. As uneasiness turned into trust and music soared into the night, gratitude grew into friendships and their stories became a celebration of hope, humanity and unity.

Originally opening in 2017, it has since taken the West End by storm as well as continuing sold-out, record-breaking engagements on Broadway, across the USA, in Canada and in Australia.

Brought to life by Tony and Grammy nominated writing team Irene Sankoff and David Hein, the production will now be heading to the screen, with a recorded version directed by Christopher Ashley. It follows in the footsteps of Hamilton, the film of which was snapped up by Disney+ and a growing number of theatre productions recorded for TV broadcast and streaming platforms, with the National Theatre even launching its own National Theatre at Home VOD service last year.

Produced by Entertainment One, the Apple TV+ film of Come from Away will employ more than 200 people, including actors and crew, at a time when Broadway theatres have been closed for over a year due to the coronavirus pandemic. It will be recorded this month at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre and will likely feature cast members from Broadway.

Jennifer Todd and Bill Condon will produce alongside the stage show’s original producers, Junkyard Dog Productions, alongw ith Mark Gordon. Sankoff and Hein will also be among the executive producers.

Earlier this year, eOne said that it was eyeing a September release of the film. Now Apple TV+ has snapped up the rights, although there is no word yet whether it will stick with the planned September debut.

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