I just got back from a short tour through NY, PA and MD - the highlight of which was winning the Susquehanna Music & Arts Festival (SMAF!) Songwriting Contest and playing on the mainstage. And I've been invited back to play there again next year! Thank you all for your crossed fingers - it worked! You can read the whole story in my blog section above.

Also, check out the article that was written about me in Acousticmusicscene.com - I was technically a little drunk during this interview - but it's nice all the same.

Last weekend I performed as a Canadian finalist in the Mountain Stage New Song Contest - which is cool for many reasons - the first is that one of my favourite cassettes as a kid was a Mountain Stage "Canadian" live recording featuring Blue Rodeo, Barenaked Ladies, Moxy Fruvous, Cowboy Junkies, Bruce Cockburn, and more. Second, I got to play at the Ottawa Folk Fest with the likes of Broken Social Scene, Sarah harmer, Rufus Wainwright and more. And third, I shared the stage with some amazing other songwriters from across Canada like Andy Sheppard, Linda M, Mary Knickle, Lynne Hanson, Hannah and her Sisters, Tanya Davis, Daniel Casavant, Steve Brockley and Koko Bonaparte. I didn't win, but was in very good company and won some excellent friends - please give it up for Tanya Davis, who'll be representing us canucks down south.

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

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

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=

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