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.

My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding will be heading all over the place in 2012! For more details, visit www.mmljww.com.

Hi all - you may have heard that My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding is heading down to the New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) in October. NYMF has been a springboard for many huge musicals, so please spread the word to everyone you know in New York - and come see the show yourself!

Tickets and all info are available at www.nymf.org/mmljww - ORDER NOW since they're selling out (and the faster we sell out, the more likely we are to get an extension!).

It was very frustrating that we weren't able to bring down our Canadian team, but we're incredibly excited about the team we've developed in NYC! Our director, Stafford Arima directed Ragtime in London and his last show in NYMF, Altar Boyz, went on to become the 9th longest running Off-Broadway show ever. Our Claire starred opposite Nathan Lane on B'way in Guys and Dolls, 'Jane' was in the original Avenue Q, 'Garth' was Jean Valjean in Les Miz on Broadway, 'Michelle' played Ursula in the Little Mermaid on Broadway, 'Becki' was Glinda in a touring production of Wicked, and our Ensemble guy is one of the Altar Boyz. Our choreographer has worked with Will Ferrell, our music team is a Rock of Ages/Billy Elliot combo, and we have a Creative Assistant who is a Rockette and assisted Twyla Tharp on Come Fly Away.

Please join us and if you can't be here, cross your fingers for us!
Best,
David


What do you get when a straight white male from Canada discovers that his mother's a lesbian? A hilarious and heartfelt story that celebrates love and marriage in all its forms. Written by David Hein and Irene Sankoff, "My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding" is based on a true story that will make you realize that nothing's impossible!

CAST
Cicily Daniels (The Little Mermaid, Rent), Christina DeCicco (Wicked), Ann Harada (Avenue Q, Seussical), David Hein, Liz Larsen (The Most Happy Fella, Starmites), Lev Pakman, Ravi Roth (Altar Boyz), Irene Sankoff & Bart Shatto (Les Miserables, The Civil War).

Authors: DAVID HEIN & IRENE SANKOFF
Director: STAFFORD ARIMA (Altar Boyz, The Tin Pan Alley Rag, Ragtime-West End)
Choreographer: MATT WILLIAMS (You're Welcome America, A Final Night with George W. Bush, Rooms)
Music Supervisor: ETHAN POPP (Rock of Ages, Tarzan, Glory Days)
Music Director: SONNY PALADINO (Billy Elliot, Disney's High School Musical)

TICKET INFORMATION
(866) 811-4111
Or Visit WWW.NYMF.ORG/MMLJWW
Tickets: $20
TBG Theater (312 West 36th St.)

PERFORMANCES
Tuesday, October 5 @ 8pm
Wednesday, October 6 @ 1pm
Sunday, October 10 @ 1pm
Wednesday, October 13 @ 1pm
Thursday, October 14 @ 8pm
Saturday, October 16 @ 9pm

SCENIC DESIGN: ADAM KOCH; COSTUME DESIGN: VANESSA LEUCK; LIGHTING DESIGN: DRISCOLL OTTO; SOUND DESIGN: JEREMY J. LEE; STAGE MANAGER: HEATHER J WEISS; ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER: SCOTT DELACRUZ; CASTING: CINDI RUSH; PRESS: DAVID GERSTEN; GENERAL MANAGEMENT: MARTIAN ENTERTAINMENT

My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding has been extended AGAIN till April 11th, when we have to close because another show is coming into the theatre.

Thank you so much to everyone who's come out to see our musical, whether it was at the Toronto Fringe or at the Panasonic. Thank you for supporting original Canadian theatre and for being such wonderful audiences.

If you haven't seen it, or would like to see it again, Mirvish is now offering $20 tickets to all our final shows - use the code WICCAN20 at www.mmljww.com or at 1-800-461-3333. This is the last chance, so please spread the word!

We've had an amazing experience doing this show - from the real-life proposal onstage, to celebrating the olympic hockey victory with the crowd, and the countless wonderful messages we've received, including the 80-year old Jewish woman who told us that her grandaughter is marrying a woman, and she wasn't okay with it, but after seeing the show, she was. We've been so blessed with such an amazing cast, creative team, band, and audiences - and a wonderful story to tell from my moms. It's been a life changing experience - thank you.

If you haven't seen them, check out some new rave reviews at:

http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/theatre/article/775100--so-much-more-than-a-weird-wedding
http://www.mytheatreblog.ca/ (you'll have to scroll down)

and there's a new video up at http://www.mmljww.com

Plus, you can follow us on twitter at http://twitter.com/mmljww

And finally, if you'd like to get the original soundtrack to the show, click here: http://www.indiepool.com/order/cart.asp?showCompany=1&winsize=

My-Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding, my true story musical about my mom, is returning to the Panasonic Theatre in Toronto on Feb. 26th. Here are some of the rave reviews we've received so far:

The show opens with David and his guitar, and an infectious smile that continues throughout the evening. From the moment he starts the first song "My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding" it is apparent that you are in for a treat. I don't think I stopped grinning throughout the entire show. Between David's infectious smile, the funny and touching lyrics and the wonderfully talented cast it is extremely hard not to enjoy yourself - and that is what is so wonderful about this show. It has heart and soul, something which is lacking in many productions these days.
- BroadwayWorld.com

The play's musical numbers speak for themselves, a good choice since his memorable and often hilarious songs are true crowd pleasers.
- Eye Weekly

For me, the best part of the show was the songs. They are funny, touching and beautifully sung, and often touch on very relevant and important material. I couldn't contain my laughter during "You Don't Need a Penis" and "Don't Take Your Lesbian Mom's to Hooters" and found myself very impressed with the politically charged "A Short History of Gay Marriage in Canada."
- BroadwayWorld.com

With delightfully catchy numbers you find yourself singing in the shower, it is exactly what Toronto has been waiting for.
- Torontostage.com

Easily one of the best shows I have seen this year. It is solid from beginning to end, has excellent pacing, and it is beyond hilarious. I was not expecting to love it as much as I did.
- Plutonica.net

David Hein portraying himself in the touching autobiographical account that gives the production extraordinary flavour. There is no mistaking the honest place in which the narrative originates as he takes playgoers from song to song on an acoustic guitar and four piece band.
- Torontostage.com

Hein is all charm as the singing narrator. He and his wife Irene Carl Sankoff wrote the delightful book, and Hein composed the songs, a tuneful mix of country, folk and rock. Some of the lyrics are absolutely hilarious.
- Paula Citron, Classical 96.3

David Hein is so affable and lighthearted throughout, you'd like to bottle his enthusiasm and sell it on e-Bay.
- Scene Changes

Hein is a charmingly casual actor-singer-narrator. He gets a real glow going.
- The Globe & Mail

Hi all,

I wanted to give you a quick update on My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding, as well as a code to get cheap tickets.

We've been extended twice and are now running as long as we can - until January 3rd - when another play comes into the theatre. Hopefully you've had a chance to see it. We've been selling out almost every night and have been receiving some wonderful feedback.Check out http://www.mmljww.com for video, songs, and testimonials at the bottom.

But if you haven't seen it yet or if you'd like to see it again, enter the code WEDDEC for $25 tickets to any show.

From a press perspective, we were featured on CTV's W5 program - they followed us around for over a month - so it's worth a look for a behind the scenes view (and for a certain picture of me in a sheepskin vest):

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091120/w5_fringe_091121/20091121?hub=WFive

And Irene and I were just on Q with Jian Ghomeshi (who taught Irene to sing when she was a kid) - he's a totally nice guy who loves the show and thinks we should tour it across Canada. Here's a link to the podcast (we're on second):

http://podcast.cbc.ca/mp3/qpodcast_20091119_23327.mp3

Also, the original Fringe Cast Recording is now available online - perfect for holiday gifts:

http://www.indiepool.com/order/cart.asp?showCompany=1

Hope you're all well and hope to see you soon.

Best,
David

Hi everyone - My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding has now opened at the Panasonic Theatre (651 Yonge St. in Toronto) and you're all invited. You can get tickets at www.mmljww.com - and to wet your appetite, here are some previews that have just come out.

http://www.nationalpost.com/story.html?id=2197262

http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/theatre/article/721780--more-songs-more-dance-more-love

http://www.eyeweekly.com/arts/theatre/article/76207--thank-you-nia-vardalos

http://toronto.broadwayworld.com/article/MY_MOTHERS_LESBIAN_JEWISH_WICCAN_WEDDING_Hits_...The_Panasonic_Theatre_117_20091107

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/134418-Youre-Invited-My-Mothers-Lesbian-Jewish-Wiccan-Wedding-Begins-Toronto-Run

http://www.xtra.ca/public/Toronto/You_Dont_Need_a_Penis-7785.aspx

http://www.yorku.ca/yfile/archive/index.asp?Article=13625

http://alumni-matters.blog.yorku.ca/2009/11/my-mother%E2%80%99s-lesbian-jewish-wiccan-wedding-2/

See you soon!
David

Meanwhile, on Sept. 24th and 25th, Irene and I are also remounting our previous Fringe show, MOVING AT THE SPEED OF LIFE, for a two-day run at the Vaughan City Playhouse as the gala opening of their "All Canadian Series".

Directed by Second City alums Leslie Seiler and Karen Parker, and with design by Yours Truly, it's a great one-woman show that EYE raved about, saying "Irene Carl Sankoff excels at playing dozens of different types of women."

Tickets are available by phoning 905-882-SHOW (7469) or click here for more details.

We've received some amazing reviews and some incredible support from the Gay & Lesbian, Jewish, Wiccan, and theatre communities. Here's some examples:

"Fabulous! Every once in a while you see a show that's so amazing that you want to grab people on the street and tell them to go and see it... It's funny, touching, the performances were wonderful and it's going to go places. See it now!"
- Mooney on Theatre

4 STARS - "First off, My Mother's Lesbian Jewish-Wiccan Wedding isn't just a clever title; David Hein turns autobiography into musical theatre as the story of his two moms is told through songs like 'You Don't Need a Penis' and 'Straight White Male,' as well as an awkward dinner date at Hooters and a sidebar on gay rights in Canada... genuinely moving and well-executed, packing a lot into 60 minutes... an all-ages lesson in tolerance"
- EYE weekly

4 NNNN's - Critic's Pick! - "The title sounds somewhat silly, but writer/performer David Hein has created a true, heartfelt, family tribute in musical comedy form. Director Andrew Lamb skilfully squeezes a live 3-piece band and a gifted seven-member cast onto the small stage while keeping the action fluid and fun, and the audience cheers wildly through 18 witty songs."
- NOW

"YES, YES and YES! MMLJWW is folksy, it's fun, it's charming, it's honest and it's a crowd pleaser! David Hein and Irene Carl have created a very sweet and endearing love musical for his mothers. The crowd fell in love and how could they not with the well thought out lyrics, perfect casting and perfect pacing that all Fringe Shows should try to follow."
- Dead Sexy Magazine

Want to read more? Here are some links:

http://www.mooneyontheatre.com/2009/07/toronto-fringe-my-mothers-lesbian-jewish-wiccan-wedding/
http://www.mooneyontheatre.com/2009/08/my-mothers-lesbian-jewish-wiccan-wedding-is-coming-to-mirvish/
http://www.gracingthestage.ca/?p=3270
http://www.eyeweekly.com/fringe/article/64215
http://www.nowtoronto.com/stage/story.cfm?content=170407
http://www.plankmagazine.com/theatre/my-mothers-lesbian-jewish-wiccan-wedding
http://www.cjnews.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17231&pop=1&page=0&Itemid=86
http://www.deadsexymag.com/Toronto/2009/July/Theatre/MMLJWW.html
http://deadsexymag.blogspot.com/2009/07/more-fringe-my-mothers-lesbian-jewish.html
http://www.xtra.ca/public/Toronto/Fringe_fests_extreme_theatre-7035.aspx
http://www.jewishtribune.ca/TribuneV2/index.php/200907221841/Fringe-Festival-succeeds-financially-and-artistically.html
http://torontoist.com/2009/07/drama_club_fringe_preview.php

A birthday party... in a spa... in Hamilton... for about fifteen 10-year old girls.

My friend Janet, who owns the spa, and books me shows in the Hammer a lot - and whose girls, Nancy and Jade like my tunes - asked me to play their joint birthday party - which apparently they've been planning since they first saw me play... how could I say no?

I'll be honest - I wasn't sure about it. I love the girls, but my knowledge of Hannah Montana tunes isn't great. But I rented High School Musical and learned "We're all in this together" and "Breaking Free"... no idea if I'll ever be able to use them again...

I got there late due to "a police action" according to the radio which involved a ton of cops in swat team outfits blocking off the entire QEW - followed by an accident a couple klicks later. Craziness. And then I realized I'd forgotten my microphone. If there's one thing you want at a birthday party of screaming girls... it's a microphone. But my voice put up with belting tunes for 4 hours.

I started off with "Breaking Free" and got... blank looks from the girls. One whispered to another "I think this is from the first High School Musical" - first mistake - learn the songs from the latest movie... Still, the other HSM tune proved more popular and for some reason in the back of my head, I pulled a surprising number of Spice Girl tunes, which was the hit of the day. 10 year old girls like Spice Girls a lot.

So the party was a hit. The girls got their nails and toes done - I played a number of songs written before they were born - and we all hung out and had a pretty great time.

As I was leaving, one of Nancy & Jade's friends made me promise to come back and do it all again next year or she'd (and I quote) "die and haunt me forever."

I was just down at the Susquehanna Folk Festival, where I won their songwriting contest last year. Despite driving about 22 hours in a weekend, I had an amazing time with some fantastic performers and new friends. I'll blog about it soon, but highlights include a workshop in a Victorian parlor, a late night trip to Waffle House, phoning my mom from stage and getting the crowd to wish her a "happy lesbian jewish-wiccan mother's day", and debuting some songs from my new musical - which apparently got everyone planning roadtrips up to Toronto to see it. Filled with crabcakes and sunburned, but all shades of happy.

I've been working full-tilt on "My Mother's Lesbian Jewish-Wiccan Wedding" - a new musical comedy in The Toronto Fringe Festival, July 1-12. Based on the true story of how my mom came out to me, met her partner and got married, it features around 20 completely new songs, a cast of 7 and a live band - all at Bread and Circus in Kensington Market (299 August Ave.) - one of my favourite venues.

Irene Carl and I wrote the script and Andrew Lamb is directing - the cast is now finalized and the band is made up of Sarah Calvert, Jeff Daze and David Pontello. Irene and I are also acting in and producing the show which means we're both getting about 2 hours of sleep a night - but it's worth it - we're really proud of the script and songs and I think it's going to be great (crossing fingers and knocking on wood). Wish us luck!

For more info, visit www.mmljww.com.

The Playwrights of Spring Festival Fundraiser, was, like last year, a lot of fun. Irene and I took our Now Sweetheart Required shows up north and played for a good cause. And there was a crazy good magician who made 100 dollar bills appear in the center of lemons and made a rose explode into flame. PRETTY COOL.

I played two sets. During the second, the theatre's guitar cable gave up the ghost half way through with the sound of someone being shot. I stomped on it, making more gunfire during guilt trip song and eventually gave up and just played - to a lovely audience.

Thanks to everyone who came out! Check out the actual festival at http://www.playwrightsofspring.com/

Valentine's Day was awesome. Normally a somewhat stressful day of which flowers, restaurant, movie to pick to maximize romancification - instead Irene and I celebrated by doing a show together called "No Sweetheart Required" at Whistler's which ran for 4 days, including Feb. 14th.

A fun little cabaret show featuring monologues, music, dance, and theatre - NSR has been running for about 80 years - and is still a lot of fun to take part in. Irene was in a short play (a shplay) called "Marred Bliss" and I played goofy songs - one of which was written specifically for the show. Panicked on the way there, after realizing that Kim, one of the producers, had asked me to write a special valentine's day number - I quickly wrote this:

**

Grade three
My dad took me to the Shopper's Drug Mart
To get me a pack of Valentine's cards
And candy hearts

That night
My mom made me write out all my classmates
Be my valentine, the Garfield card said
From David H.

On the way to school
Out of the window of the school bus
I threw all the Valentines
And ate the candy hearts at recess

Forgive me if I - I get this wrong
In all this time, I've never got this right
Let's keep this simple, no cards, no songs
And there's no sweethearts required tonight

Grade nine
I shoved 50 Valentine cards into
Wendy Lawson's locker after school
Hoping she'd like me too

I didn't know
Wendy had just started dating Jason Bleem
The head quarterback of the football team
He beat the crap out of me

And ever since I healed that day
I learned to play my part
Telling someone how you feel
Can break more than just your heart

Forgive me if I - I get this wrong
In all this time, I've never got this right
Let's keep this simple, no cards, no songs
And there's no sweethearts required tonight

Can't I just tell you how I feel
By staring at you cross this bar
How come I have to say the words
How come I can't love you from afar

Forgive me if I - I get this wrong
In all this time, I've never got this right
Let's keep this simple, no cards, no songs
And there's no sweethearts required tonight

**

And everyone seemed to like it. I also played my I've got soul, but I'm not a soldier song, which I think is now called "David Hein is made for loving" - as well as My Mother's Lesbian Jewish-Wiccan Wedding (which went over especially well with a very nice lesbian-catholic married couple) and Guilt Trip Song - which I dedicated most nights to my new friend Kevin at the sound board, who had just been dumped for the 6th time... by the same girl. Kevin is an awesome guy - so single ladies, let me know.

All in all a pretty awesome evening. A fun show written & directed by Kathryn Malek, who also wrote and directed Death to Dating, my first foray into trying to write for musicals. Plus a monologue by our new friend Hannah, pretty freakin funny standup by June Morrow, and some incredible dance by Miranda Abbot and Libydo (check them out at http://www.eventhorizondance.ca). And a sweet two-hander by new friend Dave & Carol. Oh, and Irene's show was great as usual, but then I'm biased.

Happy Valentine's Day!