So excited to be back on stage with Jefferey Straker and Grant Tilly for a night of hilarious prairie stories and singer/songwriter awesomeness - in the beautiful Richmond Hill Centre For the Performing Arts!

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.

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