WATCH: Portlaoise Musical Society unveils show with Canadian flavour

Portlaoise Musical Society have gone Canadian in their 2025 musical Come and Away.

Based on the events in the Newfoundland town of Gander, Come and Away tells the story of what happened during the week following the September 11 attacks in 2001.

At the time 38 planes, carrying approximately 7,000 passengers, were ordered to land unexpectedly at Gander International Airport. The characters in the musical are based on actual Gander residents and stranded travellers they housed and fed.

A smash hit show on Broadway, Come from Away, premiered in Ireland at The Abbey Theatre in December 2018.

The 2025 Portlaoise team's show will have a new production team. Art McGauran is the Producer, Leah Carroll is the Choreographer and Mairead McKenna is the Musical Director named for the event in the Dunamaise Arts Centre in November. 

The name of the 2025 production was announced at the society's AGM where a new committee was announced. It is as follows: Chairperson- Angi McNulty; Secretary- Caroline O’Brien; Treasurer - Sharon Dunphy; PRO - Helen Flynn; Membership Officer - Julie Kennedy; Fundraising Officer - Derek McGinn. Ordinary Members: Gemma Hearns, Caroline Conroy, Aidan McColgan, Paul Spencer, Olive Maher.

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The 2024/25 Committee was thanked for their "incredible work" over the past year which marked the celebration of the Society's 25th Anniversary. The committee was JJ Tynan (Chairperson), Caroline O’Brien (Secretary), Johnny Mulhare (Treasurer), Lorraine O’Callaghan (PRO), Julie Kennedy (Membership Officer), Helen Flynn, Angi McNulty, Gemma Hearns, Caroline Conroy, Colm O’Toole and Derek McGinn (Fundraising Officer).

"Their tireless dedication and hard work helped our society soar to new heights and bring our dreams into reality for our sensational ‘Guys & Dolls’ production, our 25th Anniversary Gala Ball and so many other amazing events throughout the year," said the post.

Thanks were also extended to those who helped make 'dreams a reality' in bringing the 'sensational' 2024 production ‘Guys & Dolls’ to life on the stage of the Dunamaise Arts Centre.