7 TONY NOMS
Play set during the aftermath of 9/11 is up for best musical
The cocreators of Tony-nominated “Come From Away” say they are honoured that the made-in-Canada musical is receiving recognition.
Regina-born, Saskatoon-raised David Hein and his wife, Toronto’s Irene Sankoff, received two of the show’s seven Tony nominations, which included a nod for best musical.
The duo was nominated for best book and best score of a musical.
“Come From Away” is set in the remote East Coast town of Gander, N.L., during the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks.
Gander’s population doubled as it sheltered 6,579 passengers and crew from 38 planes diverted when U.S. air space was closed on Sept. 11, 2001.
Hein says the warm reception the show has received is “everything they could have wished for and more.” He expressed pride in sharing everything they love about Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador with the world.
“Come From Away” earned mostly rave reviews when the production made its Broadway debut in March. Prior to its arrival in New York, the musical was staged in La Jolla, Calif., Washington, D.C., Seattle and Toronto. The “Come From Away” cast was also in Gander for two concerts last October as a fundraiser for local charities.
“Come From Away” has had its fair share of high-profile attendees in the audience since its Broadway opening. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, former prime minister Jean Chrétien, actor Hugh Jackman, actress-model Brooke Shields and supermodel Cindy Crawford are among the famous theatregoers who have visited the Great White Way to take in the show.
Prior to Tuesday’s Tony nominations, the homegrown production was already receiving plenty of recognition from critics within and beyond the Big Apple.
The show has received a slew of theatre nominations from the Drama League Awards, Drama Desk Awards, the Outer Critics Circle Awards and the Chita Rivera Awards.
The show also received 14 nominations from the Helen Hayes Awards, which celebrate excellence in professional theatre throughout the Washington metropolitan area.
Kevin Spacey will host the 71st annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York on June 11.