The Civic Theatre has set a new box office record less than a month out from the Newcastle debut of the hit Broadway musical Come From Away.
More than 11,000 tickets have already been sold for the critically acclaimed production, and three new dates have been added in an extended season that will now open at the Civic Theatre on Wednesday 15 February.
Come From Away shares the incredible real-life story of the 7,000 air passengers from around the world who were grounded in Canada in the wake of 9/11, and the small Newfoundland community that welcomed the 'come from aways' into their lives.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said strong ticket sales indicate there is an appetite for Broadway theatre amongst Novocastrians and visitors seeking to have a good time following three years of pandemic-induced disruptions.
"It's been 30 years since an international touring Broadway production landed in Newcastle and it's clear that as a city, we are ready to welcome a live musical theatre production of this calibre," Cr Nelmes said.
"With its remarkable true story about kindness and humanity, Come From Away is sure to enhance the cultural life of our city with Novocastrians and visitors ready to get back out there and enjoy themselves in 2023.
"Come From Away joins a stellar line-up on Newcastle's 2023 major events calendar, which kicked off with Elton John's Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, which attracted more than 50,000 people to the city and injected more than $12 million into the local visitor economy.
"Major events are a clear economic driver and Come From Away is another significant drawcard for our city that will provide considerable benefits for Newcastle's visitor economy."
Civic Theatre Manager Leonie Wallace said Come From Away has already smashed the ticket sales of previous live musical theatre performances.
"With four weeks still to go, ticket sales have exceeded our expectations and previous ticket sales records held at Civic Theatre," Ms Wallace said.
"Tickets sales have been recorded across a wide geographical area, with Newcastle-based purchases complemented by sales from as far away as Tasmania, Brisbane, Armidale, Narrabri and Coffs Harbour.
"Come From Away is also attracting new audiences to the Civic Theatre, with more than 45 per cent of bookings from first-time customers.
"Due to popular demand, we've added another three performances to the extended run of Come From Away and look forward to seeing this spectacular production come to life on stage with our theatre's iconic proscenium arch, grand tiered seating and incredible atmosphere."
Come From Away is showing at Newcastle's Civic Theatre from 15 February until 5 March 2023.
The production runs for 100 minutes and is recommended for ages 10 and older.
