A sold-out run. A Broadway star returning home. And a story that’s touched audiences around the world, now told entirely by New Brunswickers.

On Tuesday, the first fully local production of Come From Away opens at Imperial Theatre in Saint John.

The musical, which recounts the true story of thousands of airline passengers stranded in Newfoundland after 9/11, has become a global phenomenon.

This version is a collaboration between Saint John Theatre Company, Rogue Productions in Fredericton, and the Kingsbrae International Residence for the Arts.

Stephen Tobias, artistic director of the Saint John Theatre Company, says the production marks a turning point for the province’s arts community.

“The existence of this project represents real growth in our cultural community and in the talent base here in Southern New Brunswick over the last few years,” Tobias said.

“That’s really exciting to me because it opens up lots of possibilities for the future, knowing that talent base is now in place.”

The show features performers and musicians from Moncton, Fredericton, and Saint John.

Among them is Fredericton-born Broadway actor Tony LePage, who reprises his role from the Apple TV+ version and co-directs the production alongside Courtney LePage.

Music direction is led by Michael Doherty, who assembled a team of local musicians capable of handling the show’s complex score.

Tobias says the commitment to using only New Brunswick talent was clear from the start, even though the music is notoriously difficult.

“It’s a huge feat of musical gymnastics for the musicians, and they’re doing a great job of it,” he said.

The production has already sold thousands of tickets and is expected to possibly be one of the most attended theatrical events in the province’s history.

“This play will probably be seen by somewhere in the area of 12 to 13,000 people here in New Brunswick,” Tobias said.

“It might just be the best-selling play, the best-attended play of any project that’s ever been put on in New Brunswick. Ever.”

Performances run from Tuesday to Sunday, with evening shows at 7:30 p.m. and matinees on Saturday and Sunday.

Come From Away is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

All authorized performance materials are supplied by MTI.