Smash hit Come From Away is about to debut at HOTA with the city set to steal the show as a global touring destination

Broadway, West End … and Bundall Road. With HOTA set to stage its first ever world-class Tony Award-winning musical this week, what does it translate to in tourist dollars?

Broadway, West End … and Bundall Road.

With HOTA set to stage its first ever world-class Tony Award-winning musical this week, it’s an incredible moment for the city … our very own debut as an international touring circuit destination.

So break a leg, Gold Coast.

Ticket sales are running hot for the smash hit Come From Away, the feel-good true story show about a remote Canadian town that rushed to help stranded plane passengers after the 9/11 terror attack, but there’s more than just the bottom line at stake here for the city.

Cynics may scoff, but producers overseas are already waiting in the wings to see if a star is born in Bundall … and are ready to add the city to their schedules.

Indeed, while the three-week limited season of the Broadway sensation is a coup for HOTA, it could prove to be a game-changer for the city. Just ask producer Rodney Rigby.

Come From Away producer Rodney Rigby. Picture: David Crosling

The Australian has been with the Come From Away team from its first developmental production at California’s La Jolla Playhouse in 2015, following it through to its Broadway premiere in 2017, then the West End in 2019, and was instrumental in bringing the show to the Gold Coast in 2022.

While he may be the first to bring a first-class production to this city, he’s confident he won’t be the last.

“This show is being presented exactly as it is seen on Broadway and London’s West End on the HOTA stage, that’s the first time that’s happened,” says Rodney.

“But I believe this is only the start for the Gold Coast. The facilities at HOTA are outstanding and you’re talking a 600,000-strong population in Australia’s sixth-largest city.

“Australia is always a difficult market because it’s a huge size but a small audience, so the more markets we can create the better.

HOTA’s new look after its rebranding from the Arts Centre.

“There are two musicals and a play that I’m doing in the near future that would be very suitable to play the Gold Coast. That’s just me.”

However, it certainly seems a piece of poetic justice that a musical about a town inundated with visitors should be the very show that welcomes tourists back to a city which has seen so few ‘come from away’ over the last two years.

Rodney says the city should be applauded for its commitment to the arts, especially during Covid and in particular the development of the HOTA precinct.

While the Home of the Arts itself has been the subject of intense scrutiny, it recently posted its biggest April numbers with the highest visitation numbers and its best financial results.

“You just can’t have a dynamic city without sports and the performing arts – they are the backbone of any civilised society, they bring people together,” says Rodney.

“The Gold Coast has invested in both and its paying off. In fact, it was the awarding of the Olympics to this area that really got us thinking about bringing Come From Away to HOTA.

“But it’s interesting that, when it comes to dollar figures, it’s the arts that really pays off.

“For every person that travels here to see Come From Away, they’re spending about $850 per person, per day – that’s including accommodation, travel, food and so on … it’s a lot of money so it’s worth the investment.”

Come From Away Premiere

Indeed, the recent Queensland Ballet performance of Sleeping Beauty at HOTA generated an estimated spend of almost $500,000 over two nights.

But Rodney says the key to future success is not just about attracting first-class shows but developing homegrown audiences – and talent.

“But what really breeds excitement and patronage is when audiences can see the best shows in the world,” he says.

“And hopefully, this is just the start.”

So Gold Coast, let’s get the show on the (Bundall) Road.