Producers plan bus to Cleveland for ‘Come From Away’

Staff report

CLEVELAND

The national tour of the hit Broadway musical “Come From Away” will make its Cleveland debut July 9-28 at Connor Palace in Playhouse Square.

The musical tells the true story of what happened in a small town in Newfoundland, Canada, after dozens of commercial airplanes were forced to land during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The 7,000 shocked and unexpected guests were welcomed by the townsfolk with hospitality and lodging that reaffirmed their faith in humanity in that dark hour.

Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendships.

Youngstown natives Terry McNicholas and Molly Morris are among the co-producers of the show, and they are sponsoring a bus tour to the July 28 matinee performance. Tickets are $95 and $75; call Breakaway Tours at 724-658-9200 for information or reservations.

To purchase tickets for any Cleveland performance, go to playhousesquare.org or call 216-241-6000. For group orders of 15 or more, call 216-640-8600. Show times are Tuesdays-Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 1 and 6:30 p.m.

Each Cleveland performance will be preceded by a Broadway Buzz Pre-Show Talk in the Upper Allen one hour before each show at Playhouse Square. Attendees will learn more about the story, the show and its creative team. Admission is free. No tickets required.

On July 11, 18 and 25, there will be Broadway Buzz post-show chats with cast members. A ticket for the evening’s performance is required.

Following its world premiere at La Jolla Playhouse (California) and Seattle Repertory Theatre, accolades and awards started to pour in for “Come From Away.”

The show won the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical (Christopher Ashley); five Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Outstanding New Broadway Musical; three Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Musical; and many others.

Its Broadway run began on March 12, 2017, at the Schoenfeld Theater, where it continues to play to standing-room-only audiences.

The musical is also enjoying runs in Toronto, London and Sydney, Australia, and the Mark Gordon Co. has announced it will produce and finance a feature film adaptation of it.

The cast of the touring production includes Kevin Carolan (Disney’s “Newsies”), Harter Clingman (“Peter and The Starcatcher”), Nick Duckart (“In the Heights”), Chamblee Ferguson, Becky Gulsvig (“School of Rock”), Julie Johnson (“Memphis”), Christine Toy Johnson (“The Music Man”), James Earl Jones II (The Gershwins’ “Porgy and Bess”), Megan McGinnis (“Les Miserables”), Andrew Samonsky (“South Pacific”), Danielle K. Thomas (“Avenue Q”), Emily Walton (“August Osage County”), Marika Aubrey, Jane Bunting, Michael Brian Dunn, Julie Garny , Adam Halpin and Aaron Michael Ray.

With a book, music and lyrics by Tony and Grammy Award nominees Irene Sankoff and David Hein, the production is directed by Tony Award winner Christopher Ashley.

For information about the touring musical, go to ComeFromAway.com.