Asolo Rep replaces Billy Joel/Twyla Tharp musical with 'Come From Away'

When Billy Joel canceled a 2025-26 tour in May because of a brain disorder, theater fans in Sarasota said a little prayer. 

Joel was scheduled to come to town this fall with choreographer Twyla Tharp to work on an updated version of their hit Broadway musical, "Movin' Out," which was to premiere at Asolo Repertory Theatre.

The original "Movin' Out" featuring Joel's songs and Tharp's choreography won two 2003 Tony Awards, one for Tharp (Best Choreography) and one for Joel and Stuart Malina (Best Orchestrations).

But the new rendition of "Movin' Out" will have to wait. On Friday, Asolo Rep announced the much-anticipated update will happen "in a future season." Instead, Asolo Rep Producing Artistic Director Peter Rothstein will direct a homegrown version of "Come From Away," which will run from Nov. 12 through Dec. 28. 

"Piano Man "Joel, 76, has been recovering from normal pressure hydrocephalus, a condition that creates problems with hearing, vision and balance. However, the schedule change is not related to Joel's health, an Asolo spokesman said.

An Asolo Rep production of "Come From Away" is good news for those who got shut out of the Broadway touring production's brief run at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center Feb. 18-20, including a Feb. 19 performance that was canceled due to sound problems. The show previously came to the Van Wezel for a weeklong run in 2021. 

Written by the husband-and-wife team Irene Sankoff and David Hein, "Come From Away" tells the story of a Canadian village's hospitality to 7,000 travelers stranded after the 9/11 terror attacks. Its message of hope and brotherhood continues to resonate with audiences nearly a decade after its 2017 Broadway debut. 

 “As we approach the 25th anniversary of 9/11, I am honored to stage the docu-musical 'Come from Away.' Like the town of Gander, Newfoundland where the musical takes place, Sarasota has a unique relationship to this watershed moment in American history," Rothstein said in a statement.

While President Bush was visiting Emma E. Booker Elementary School, the president and the nation learned about the terrorist attacks, thrusting Sarasota into the spotlight. 

Noted Rothstein, "Across the nation and around the world, people can recall where they were when they first learned of this tragedy and began to gather the strength to support each other through the difficult road to recovery that would lie ahead. 'Come From Away' is a chronicle of that strength and resilience, celebrating the best of humanity.”  

In addition to Rothstein, the creative team for Asolo Rep's "Come From Away" includes Kelli Foster Warder (choreography), Angela Steiner (music direction), Adam Koch (scenic design), Tracy Dorman (costume design), Paul Whitaker (lighting design), Michelle Hart (hair, makeup and wig design) and Greg Emetaz (projection design).

The remainder of Asolo Rep's 2025-26 season remains unchanged. It will include  the return of Rothstein's moving a capella musical, "All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914," which will play at The Ringling's Historic Asolo Theatre Dec. 3-9. The new year will open with the new Pulitzer Prize-winning drama "Primary Trust" (Jan. 7 – Feb.11, 2026).

It will be followed by Agatha Christie’s "The Mirror Cracked" (Jan. 21 — March 14), the U.S. premiere of "The Unfriend" (Feb. 18 — March 22), "Fiddler on the Roof" (April 14 – May 24, 2026), "Marie and Rosetta" (May 6-31, 2026) and the rolling world premiere of Lauren Gunderson’s "Lady Disdain" (June 6-27, 2026).  

Subscriptions for Asolo Rep's 2025-26 season are on sale now. Single-ticket sales begin Monday, Sept. 8. For more information, visit AsoloRep.org.

This story has been updated to clarify that the schedule change is not related to Joel's health, according to Asolo staff.