Canadian 9/11 play up for theatre prizes

WASHINGTON — Canadian 9/11-inspired musical Come From Away has scored 14 nominations for a prestigious U.S.-based theatre honour.

The Broadway-bound production was among the plays and musicals recognized by the Helen Hayes Awards, which celebrate excellence in professional theatre throughout the Washington metropolitan area.

Created by Canadian husband-and-wife duo Irene Sankoff and David Hein, Come From Away is centred on Gander, N.L., where residents provided refuge to passengers and crew on 38 planes that were diverted when U.S. air space was closed following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Along with receiving acting nods, Come From Away was nominated in the musical categories for production, ensemble, choreography, direction, musical direction and sound design.

The 2017 Helen Hayes Awards will be handed out at the Lincoln Theatre and the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., on May 15.