First glimpse of our new musical, "Come From Away"!

I'm very proud to announce that "Come From Away" - the new musical written by me and Irene - is being showcased as part of The Canadian Musical Theatre Project. It tells the true story of when seven thousand people landed on the doorstep of Gander, Newfoundland... and the people of Gander "put the kettle on." A rocking musical about when 38 planes from around the world were diverted to a small, Canadian community on September 11th, 2001 - doubling its population in an instant. While the world witnessed the worst acts of humankind, the stranded passengers had their faith in humanity restored by the spirited people who comforted those who had come from away.

We've been workshopping "Come From Away" with acclaimed Newfoundland director, David Ferry, and some of the best Celtic musicians in town - as well as the talented students at Sheridan College. We will be presenting part of it this Tuesday, April 10th at 2pm and 8pm at the Panasonic Theatre in Toronto and then April 12th-21st at Sheridan College in Oakville. We'd love to see you there and get your feedback on our new material!

Tickets for April 10th are Pay-What-You-Can at the door of the Panasonic Theatre (651 Yonge. St., Toronto - where MMLJWW was). First come first served.

Tickets for April 12th-21st at Sheridan College can be purchased in advance here.

More of My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding!
After a great run in Minnesota (see www.davidhein.net for reviews), My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding will be running in Winnipeg (May 10-20), Ottawa (May 10-13) and at the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival in Auburn, NY (July 5-28). Irene and I will be performing in Winnipeg and Auburn - and we'd love to see you there. For more information, please visit www.mmljww.com.

My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding just garnered some great press in Minnesota!

“A hilarious romp… Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company (MJTC) has got a hit on its hand with its wonderful production of My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding. The bizarrely funny, poignant, political yet not too political musical has the audience rolling with laughter while at the same time packing an emotional punch... What’s amazing about the show is that while it’s inherently political (gay marriage, after all, is a hot topic nationally and of course here in Minnesota where an amendment is up for a vote this year that would ban it) it never seems preachy or over laden in politics. Instead, the show goes for laughs and tells its story through its wonderful characters. It’s a show not to be missed."
- TCJEWFOLK.COM

"Unapologetically political, completely adorable. It's the strangest thing, but it's the least threatening angry play I've ever attended. (And I'm not saying that as a dig either.)... Full of amusing dialogue and clever lyrics... One tries to remain objective, but even I had to admit a little thrill going down my spine when the actors picked up signs in protest and began chanting "Marriage Is a Civil Right" and singing the phrase "Legalize Love." The play hits a raw nerve there, particularly because it presents the possibility of a happy ending that many of us wish for, but still see as out of our grasp. And it really happened. Years ago. Somewhere else. The play also has a lot of fun playing with theatrical conventions, drawing attention both to the authors and the standard building blocks of musical theater with winking asides (and lyrics) and goofy props. In an election year political environment overflowing with mean-spirited and backward thinking sentiments, it's a welcome relief to encounter a play that just wants to spread a little more love, music and laughter around… highly recommended."
- Twin Cities Daily Planet

"With debate over same-sex marriage blazing, "My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding" couldn't be more timely... This show takes delight in switching up expectations... the lyrics are hilarious and full of wry self-awareness... it all succeeds, mostly on the strength of the humor and compassion in the script and lyrics."
- Pioneer Press

"When was the last time you left the theater humming a song after seeing a show for the first time? Guests will have a good choice of songs to hum, and an even larger menu of food for thought, after seeing My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding. This is just what an audience needs to better understand the personal, political and historical basis for supporting gay marriage. That such a sensitive subject is presented in the form of a musical comedy is an equal testament to the creativity and commitment of the husband-wife team who wrote and developed the show. My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding has already been honored with numerous awards from the New York Musical Theater Festival and the Canadian Comedy Awards. This alone should be enough to convince the skeptic to buy a ticket. Exploring the lesbian experience is not something that is often discussed, even in gay-straight friendships. The character of David — both as narrator and part of the story — is an example of what the playwrights hope the audience will be or will become: accepting and celebrating two people, regardless of gender, who love and are committed to each other. Not everyone is ready for that in our society. MJTC Artistic Director Barbara Brooks had no idea that an amendment to permanently ban gay marriage in Minnesota would be on the ballot this fall when she chose the play by David Hein and Irene Carl Sankoff for the 2011-2012 season. “I first saw the script about two years ago,” Brooks said. “The timing and finances just worked out so that we could produce it this year; it’s a coincidence that we’re producing it at this time in Minnesota’s political history. In truth, it’s perfect for our mission to illuminate commonalities and understanding between the Jewish community and people of other faiths and cultures.”… The opening night performance was packed. If this is any indication of future sales, I suggest that you buy your tickets now.
- American Jewish World

We're happy to announce our newest project, which will be workshopped in April as part of The Canadian Musical Theatre Project. Thank you to the Canada Council for the Arts for their generous support and to the good people of Newfoundland for their amazing stories, generosity and spirit.

COME FROM AWAY tells the true story of a remote Canadian community in the days following September 11, 2001. When the US airspace was closed, 38 planes from around the world were ordered to land in Gander, Newfoundland, nearly doubling the population in an instant. While the world witnessed the worst acts of humankind, the stranded passengers had their faith in humanity restored by the selfless people who comforted those who had come from away.

Read more: http://toronto.broadwayworld.com/article/Sheridan-College-Establishes-CMTP-to-Develop-New-Works-20111031

After winning Most Promising Musical, Best Book, Best Direction (Stafford Arima), and an acting award (Liz Larsen) - more awards than any other show in the New York Musical Theater Festival - My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding's Toronto production was nominated for six awards by Broadwayworld.com including Best Musical, Best Director (Andrew Lamb), Best Actress (Lisa Horner), Best Actor (David Hein), Best Supporting Actor (Irene Sankoff), and Best Musical Direction (Me again).

On top of that, My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding was just nominated for "Best Play" in the Canadian Comedy Awards this fall. It was also nominated for a Weston Award for New Musicals. And most recently, Irene and I won the Bryden "Ones To Watch" award.