CHCO-TV NewsBreak26 with Vicki Hogarth: May 13, 2025

In a time of global uncertainty, the musical Come From Away brings a timely message of kindness, compassion, and the deep friendship between Canada and the United States.

Now, for the first time ever, a full Broadway production of the hit musical is coming to the KIRA Amphitheatre in St. Andrews this August—thanks to New Brunswick’s own Rogue Productions.

Following the success of thel Broadway by the Sea concert series, Come From Away marks the next step for the venue.

The production is led by Fredericton-born Broadway performer Tony LePage—an original cast member and star of the Apple TV+ version of Come From Away—alongside his wife, Broadway director Courtney Hammond. Together, the couple are bringing years of Broadway experience home to the province where LePage first got his start.

St. Andrews Mayor Brad Henderson, who also serves as Managing Director of KIRA and Kingsbrae Garden, says the show is striking a chord at the right time, selling a record 1300 tickets in just the first few hours of ticket sales being open on Monday.

"I think no matter what your stance is politically right now, the relationship between the Canadian people and the United States it's been going on for centuries," said Henderson. "It is something that is deeply rooted in all of our values. They are our friends, they are our family. And when you look at Come From Away, a story of how 38 planes landed in Gander, Newfoundland--6,600 people unexpectedly--and literally people opened up their homes to their neighbours, a lot of whom were Americans. I think it just resonates from home that although it's tough times right now, this relationship will last and it will be friends, I would hope, for the test of time."

The all-New Brunswick cast will take the stage August 22–24 and August 29–31 in St. Andrews before the production moves to the Imperial Theatre in Saint John from September 10–13.

From Broadway to the Bay of Fundy, Come From Away is landing in St. Andrews with a message that still matters.

And Henderson hopes it also reaches the many Americans who’ve long considered St. Andrews their second home.

"The reality is, yes, we are open," said Henderson. "It doesn't matter what your political stances are. Come to St. Andrews, enjoy an attraction, have a good bite to eat, and just be thankful that we have one of the longest undefended borders in the history of the world."

Shiretown Community Services heads to Ministers Island for the summer

It was a full house at the Anglican Parish Hall on Friday as Shiretown Community Kitchen wrapped up its final soup lunch of the season. Just under 200 community members came together to share a warm meal—and to celebrate what’s been a season of growth, connection, and learning.

The Community Kitchen isn’t just about breaking bread together—it’s about opportunity. Every Friday since the fall for the third year in a row, this space has doubled as a classroom with Chef Helen Ann Smith at the helm, giving individuals facing barriers to employment real-world experience in food service, while providing members of the community a free lunch, although donations are appreciated.

"One of the very early trainees was with us just one season because she became employed part-time, and now she's working full-time," said Linda Walsh, board director of Shiretown Community Services. "Two of our students from the previous season went on to community college and have just finished up a full year of community college, one on the St. Andrews campus and one in Fredericton, so we're very proud of them. One of our other current trainees is hoping to get into the community college in St. Andrews this fall. We also have a new venture for the summer. The Community Kitchen is going to be taking on the food truck on Minister's Island for the summer, so we have that cued up and ready to go. So there'll be shifts over the summer, and the team will be making chowder and some other things and feeding people who are on Minister's Island, touring and visiting."

Agostino McNeil has become a key part of the Shiretown team—and he also will be a part of the crew helping to prepare meals on Ministers Island this summer.

"This is my third season serving soup, and I've learned a lot coming out of my shell with using a knife and peeling potatoes and other stuff like skill sets that you need to learn in life," said McNeil.

From soup lunches in town to seaside service on Ministers Island, Shiretown Community Kitchen is proving that community and opportunity grow hand in hand.