COME FROM AWAY, with Jenn Colella, Chad Kimball and More, Opens Tonight at Seattle Rep

World-premiere musical COME FROM AWAY comes to Seattle Rep now through December 13 in the Bagley Wright Theatre. A co-production with La Jolla Playhouse, COME FROM AWAY is the first musical to be on the main stage of the Rep in over 15 years. It opens tonight, November 18, 2015. Featuring book, music and lyrics by the Canadian husband-and-wife team of Irene Sankoff and David Hein (My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding), the production is directed by La Jolla Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ashley.

Tickets are available now through the Seattle Rep Box Office at 206-443-2222 as well as online at www.seattlerep.org.

An original, rock-infused world-premiere musical, COME FROM AWAY is based on an inspiring true story. September 11, 2001 was an ordinary day in isolated Gander, Newfoundland-until it wasn't. Thirty-eight planes were diverted to its doorstep on that fateful day, making this small town unexpected hosts to an international community. The camaraderie that followed reminds us of the power that comes from opening up your heart and your home.

"This extraordinary production combines masterful storytelling and an incredible score- one that captures the heart and the imagination through its beautiful Celtic-rock sound," noted Seattle Rep's Artistic Director, Braden Abraham. "It's a story of immense humanity that exemplifies what it means to be a member of the global community."

Director Christopher Ashley has helmed several world premieres including the acclaimed musical Memphis, which also started in Seattle and went on to Broadway, winning four Tony Awards including Best Musical in 2010.

The cast features Broadway veterans Jenn Colella (Broadway's production of Chaplin, High Fidelity) as Beverley, Tony Award nominee and Seattle native Chad Kimball (Broadway's production of Memphis) as Colin 1, Joel Hatch (Broadway's production of Billy Elliott) as Claude, Rodney Hicks (Broadway's production of RENT) as Bob, Caesar Samayoa (La Jolla Playhouses' Carmen) as Colin 2, Q Smith (Broadway's production of Mary Poppins) as Lana, and Sharon Wheatley (Broadway's productions of Les Miserables, Cats) as Diane; plus Canadian actors Petrina Bromley (Oil and Water at Newfoundland's Artistic Fraud company) as Bonnie, Lee MacDougall (Canadian premiere of Urinetown) as Nick and Astrid Van Wieren (Colony of Unrequited Dreams at Newfoundland's Artistic Fraud company) as Beulah. Seattle favorites Eric Ankrim (5th Ave Theatre's Miss Saigon) as Oz and Kendra Kassebaum (Broadway's production of Wicked) as Janice round out the cast.

The creative team includes Ian Eisendrath, music director; Kelly Devine, choreographer; Beowulf Boritt, scenic design; Toni-Leslie James, costume design; Howell Binkley, lighting design; Gareth Owen, sound design; August Eriksmoen, Orchestrator; and Shirley Fishman, dramaturg.

Public Programs:

Friday, November 20, Bagley Wright Theatre, Seattle Repertory Theatre. Hear directly from the writers, composers and lyricists Irene Sankoff and David Hein as they discuss the journey of creating COME FROM AWAY at Stage Voices, which will be held immediately following the performance.

Saturday, November 21, 12:00 p.m. William Allen Theater, Museum of Flight. Seattle Rep and the Museum of Flight will host a special COME FROM AWAY presentation. Members of the Seattle Repertory Theatre artistic team will discuss the historic events of September 11, 2001, which created the unlikely scenario on which COME FROM AWAY is based. They will be joined by members of the show's creative team and cast member Chelsea LeValley, who will perform music from the show.

Post-Play Discussions: SRT Company and/or cast members join the audience to chat about the production's themes and creative process. Post-play discussions will be held after the evening (7:30 p.m.) performances on Saturday, November 14 and Tuesday, November 17; and after the matinee (2:00 p.m.) performances on Saturday, November 21; Sunday, November 29; and Wednesday, December 2.

Performance Details: Performances of COME FROM AWAY are at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and select Tuesdays, with 2:00 p.m. matinees on most Saturdays and Sundays and a select Wednesday. An Open-Captioned performance will take place on Thursday, November 19 at 7:30 p.m. There is an American Sign Language (ASL)-interpreted performance on Saturday, December 5 at 2:00 p.m. There is a pre-show lobby talk with members of the production's artistic team on Tuesday, November 17 at 6:45 p.m.

Photo Credit: Kevin Berne

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