The Mark Gordon Company has announced they will produce and finance a feature film adaptation of the widely-acclaimed and Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Come From Away. Two-time Tony Award nominees and Outer Critics Circle Award and Drama Desk Award winners Irene Sankoff and David Hein, who wrote the book, music and lyrics, will also adapt the feature screenplay for the project. MGC’s Mark Gordon will produce.
Come From Away tells the remarkable true story of 7000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night and gratitude grew into enduring friendships. On September 11, 2001 the world stopped. On September 12, their stories moved us all.
“Irene, David and Christopher created an experience that celebrates the triumph of humankind’s solidarity and compassion in the face of adversity – an experience that is equally breathtaking, inspiring and cathartic. We are proud to create a feature film adaptation to share with audiences around the world,” said Gordon.
“When we wrote Come From Away we wanted to honor what happened in Gander on the days following 9/11, and our greatest hope was that someday our musical would be performed in schools to share this remarkable true story,” said creators Irene Sankoff and David Hein. “The last year has felt like an amazing dream, with the show traveling across North America (including a stop in Gander) and continuing to play to standing-room-only audiences on Broadway. A film adaption gives us the chance to share this celebration of the best of humanity with audiences everywhere. We are happily overwhelmed that people want to see stories about people caring for others with incredible generosity and compassion.”
MGC will finance the film and Entertainment One (eOne) will handle worldwide distribution on Come From Away.