‘Come From Away’ fans belt out ‘Welcome to the Rock’ to mark anniversary of smash musical

This is the first Broadway anniversary for the hit musical “Come From Away,” and to celebrate, it has released a video of fans around the world singing “Welcome to the Rock.”

Fans from Canada — including Newfoundland — as well as the United States, Japan, the Philippines and other places sent in videos of themselves singing the tune in their best Newfoundland accents. Show creators Irene Sankoff and David Hein make a cameo from New York’s Schoenfeld Theatre, home of “Come From Away.”

“Welcome to the Rock” is the show’s opening number.

“Come From Away,” based on the stories of nearly 7,000 airline passengers stranded in Gander during the events of 9/11 and the local residents who took them in, has seen incredible success since opening on Broadway a year ago, breaking box office records, earning a Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical (for director Chris Ashley) and a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theatre Album, and playing to sold-out crowds eight times a week. A feature film adaptation of the show is in the works.

A Canadian production of “Come From Away” opened in Toronto last month, while a third cast is set to take the show on tour this fall.

“Come From Away” features Newfoundlanders Petrina Bromley (in the cast) and band member Romano Di Nillo on Broadway, and percussionist Greg Hawco in Toronto.

Visit www.thetelegram.com to see the fan compilation video by “Come From Away.”