The rabid level of interest in tickets to view a performance of “Come From Away” at Holy Heart Theatre shows all over again that we are certainly an arts-based city, keen to experience drama and music while celebrating our heritage. If this could be viewed as a trial balloon strategy to bring the top grossing musical to the Atlantic region, bring it on.
And why not consider St. John’s as an Atlantic hub to stage “Come From Away” in eastern Canada. Even doubling the prices would still make St. John’s a good deal to take in the show compared to prices in Toronto and New York, if you are coming from points east of Montreal. Our theatres are the right size and we could easily support a two-month run, considering the upwards to 175,000 people who expressed interest on Oct 16.
Winnipeg filled its venue for the best part of five weeks last winter when “Come From Away” went west. Its population exceeds that of our whole province by a wide margin, but hey, this is the province that smashes all records for Costco sales, so we could certainly handle filling Holy Heart Theatre for two months of “Come From Away” shows.
Right now, and well into 2019 the musical tours a group of U.S. cities from Miami, Denver, Los Angeles and beyond, along with a stop in Calgary. In 2019 there will be even be a stint in Australia.
Don’t we have the right to fit somewhere in all this?
I bet right now accountants and promoters are crunching numbers and/or checking out performing arts grants. A movie version is coming, but this play will have legs well into 2020 and beyond and could gross well in this province plus be an extra tourism pitch.
Bring “Come From Away” home for a lengthy engagement. We’ve earned the right to host and to view!
Marie-Beth Wright
St. John's
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