Skip to main content
Shop Merch Add a Show Listing
My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!
Irene Sankoff Headshot

Irene Sankoff

Irene Sankoff and David Hein are a Canadian married writing team. Their first show, My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding (based on David’s mother’s true story) was the hit of the Toronto Fringe Festival, and then picked up for a commercial run by Mirvish Productions.

BIO

Irene Sankoff and David Hein are a Canadian married writing team. Their first show, My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding (based on David’s mother’s true story) was the hit of the Toronto Fringe Festival, and then picked up for a commercial run by Mirvish Productions. It has now played and won best musical awards in the New York Musical Theatre Festival and across North America, with Sankoff and Hein performing in most productions. Come From Away was developed at the Canadian Music Theatre Project and Goodspeed Musicals’ Festival of New Artists, showcased at the NAMT Festival of New Works and enjoyed a record setting world premiere at the La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle Repertory, followed by Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C., the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto and the Gander Community Centre Hockey Rink. Come From Away won three 2017 Dora Mavor Moore Awards, four Helen Hayes Awards, five Outer Critics Circle Awards and three Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical. David and Irene were nominated for Tony® Awards for Best Book and Score and won the 2017 Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk awards for Best Book. Irene and David are proud members of the Dramatists Guild and ASCAP. Immeasurable thanks to all of Molly’s People, to everyone who helped us on this journey and to our extraordinary friends from Away and in Newfoundland for inspiring and trusting us to tell your story.

Photos

Productions

 
[West End, 2021] [Replacement]
Book, Music, Lyrics[Replacement]
 
[US Tour, 2018] [Replacement]
Book, Music, Lyrics[Replacement]

Writing

Book, Music, and Lyrics

Awards and Nominations


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2017 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

Irene Sankoff, Come From Away

Drama Desk Awards - 2017 - Outstanding Lyrics

Irene Sankoff, Come From Away

Drama Desk Awards - 2017 - Outstanding Music

Irene Sankoff, Come From Away


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2017 - Outstanding Book of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway)

Irene Sankoff, Come From Away

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2017 - Outstanding New Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway)

Irene Sankoff, Come From Away

Tony Awards - 2017 - Best Book of a Musical

Irene Sankoff, Come From Away

Tony Awards - 2017 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Irene Sankoff, Come From Away

Videos

News

COME FROM AWAY to Open at Bergen County Players
by Stephi Wild - Oct 5, 2026

Bergen County Players will present the Tony-winning Broadway musical COME FROM AWAY as the finale to its 94th season, with director Alyson Cohn helming the production at the Little Firehouse Theatre in Oradell, New Jersey.
Cinco Paul Receives ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award
by Stephi Wild - Oct 2, 2026

The ASCAP Foundation honored Cinco Paul, creator of the Tony-winning musical SCHMIGADOON, with the Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award for his significant contributions to American musical theater.
Review: COME FROM AWAY at Actors Theatre Of Little Rock
by Theresa Bertram - Oct 2, 2026

Well, dang it! They got me! They made me cry. I really thought I was going to make it through Actors Theatre of Little Rock’s COME FROM AWAY with my composure intact. I knew the emotional punches that were coming, and I was doing pretty well—right up until Dariane LyJoi Mull’s Hannah called Kelley Ponder’s Beulah. That’s when my eyes filled with tears, and ATLR officially got me.
Review: COME FROM AWAY at Roger Rocka's Dinner Theater
by Edmund Whelan - Sep 30, 2026

When the US airspace shut down after the attacks of 9/11, what happened to the planes already on their way? Hit Broadway musical Come From Away, penned by Canadian composer-lyricist couple Irene Sankoff and David Hein, recounts the story.
Previews: LOUISE PITRE in Concert at the Shenkman Arts Centre on October 27th
by Courtney Castelino - Sep 24, 2026

The Tony-nominated Canadian icon discussed legacy, storytelling, and the emotional heart behind her performances.
Review: COME FROM AWAY at Stages St. Louis Tells a Story of a Town’s Selfless Generosity
by James Lindhorst - Sep 24, 2026

Come From Away is bursting with compelling stories of post-9/11 experiences. Each story told by this gifted ensemble layers on powerful, emotionally resonant accounts of that week in Gander. But at its core, Come From Away is a love letter to the lovely and generous residents of Gander who put their life on hold for a week to care for thousand of strangers
Review: A Life-Affirming COME FROM AWAY at North Shore Music Theatre
by R. Scott Reedy - Sep 23, 2026

What did our critic think of COME FROM AWAY at Bill Hanney's North Shore Music Theatre?
Video: Syracuse Stage Debuts First Look at COME FROM AWAY
by Michael Major - Sep 23, 2026

Syracuse Stage shared a new video promoting its production of COME FROM AWAY, the musical about the Newfoundland town that sheltered stranded travelers after 9/11.
Review: COME FROM AWAY at Moonlight Stage
by ErinMarie Reiter - Sep 18, 2026

 Come From Away is a show about the ripple effect of kindness. You do not have to save the world to make a difference. Fred Rogers famously told us to “look for the helpers.”  Perhaps that is why this particular musical continues to feel so welcome: In a world that can sometimes feel determined to remind us of everything that divides us, Come From Away is two hours honoring those who did exactly that.
Review: COME FROM AWAY at Ford's Theatre
by Aidan O'Connor - Sep 18, 2026

Come From Away at Ford’s Theatre recounts one such echo on that fateful day in Newfoundland, Canada – the northeast tip of North America. Digging into a vast array of individual stories from the day, this production is equal parts moving, humanizing, and at times even humorous.
Review: COME FROM AWAY at Texarkana Repertory Company
by Theresa Bertram - Sep 18, 2026

This year marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11, a day that forever changed our country and the lives of so many people around the world. For those of us who remember September 11, 2001, certain images and emotions never completely leave us. We remember where we were. We remember the fear and uncertainty. We remember watching the news and trying to comprehend what was happening.
Patti LuPone, Shoshana Bean and More Join A CELEBRATION OF RODGERS & HART
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 16, 2026

Additional performers join the all-star lineup for the one-night-only concert at Carnegie Hall celebrating the legendary songwriting team of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, including Patti LuPone, Shoshana Bean and more.
Review: COME FROM AWAY at Broadway At Music Circus
by Courtney Symes - Sep 16, 2026

There are certain moments in history that become permanently etched into our memories. Years later, we can still recall where we were, who we were with, and how we first learned that something extraordinary had happened. September 11, 2001, is one of those moments, perhaps the most unforgettable of them all. Despite the devastation of that day, there were also remarkable stories of compassion, generosity, and humanity. Come From Away tells one of those stories. The newest production at Broadway at Music Circus honors the people that chose compassion over fear, and commemorates the 25th anniversary with music and art, two of our most effective weapons against darkness.
Review: Human Connection and Unbridled Generosity in COME FROM AWAY
by Caryl Kristine Guillermo - Sep 15, 2026

“Tonight we honour what was lost, but we also commemorate what we found.” Pangdemonium’s beautiful final production, Come From Away, focuses on the connection, kindness, and joy that was found amidst the 9/11 tragedy. 
Review: COME FROM AWAY flies high at Omaha Community Playhouse
by Christine Swerczek - Sep 13, 2026

Where there is evil, there is also human kindness.
COME FROM AWAY to Make Orange County Debut at Chance Theater
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 11, 2026

Chance Theater will present its 2027 season in Anaheim, featuring the Tony Award-winning musical COME FROM AWAY alongside THE COUNTER, DOG MOM, AVENUE Q, and THE GLASS MENAGERIE.
Video: COME FROM AWAY Cast Sings 'Somewhere In The Middle Of Nowhere' at Marriott Theatre
by Joshua Wright - Sep 10, 2026

Marriott Theatre shared a performance clip of 'Somewhere In The Middle Of Nowhere' from its production of COME FROM AWAY, running through October 18 in Lincolnshire.
COME FROM AWAY to Open at Slow Burn Theatre Company
by Stephi Wild - Sep 10, 2026

The Tony Award-winning musical about 7,000 passengers stranded in Gander, Newfoundland, following 9/11 will run at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale.
Review: KC Rep's COME FROM AWAY at Spencer Theatre
by Alan Portner - Sep 8, 2026

Kansas City Repertory Theater’s new production of “Come From Away” is top notch in every possible way. “Come From Away” is about how one remote Canadian town rallied in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on America to embrace neighbors they could not have imagined they shared on the day before.
Review: COME FROM AWAY at Roxy's Downtown
by Paula Makar - Sep 5, 2026

Come From Away is the musical we need right now. As political tensions mount, we need to remember the kindness shown by our neighbor Canada during a most critical time for our United States. Director Rick Bumgardner tells us the “spine” of this show is the word “Goodwill.” We would do well to remember the lessons of 9/11, as well as the Golden Rule - Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Irene Sankoff written?

Irene Sankoff has written 1 shows including Come From Away (Book, Music, and Lyrics).

What awards has Irene Sankoff been nominated for?

Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Come From Away, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Come From Away, Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Come From Away, Outstanding Book of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Come From Away, Outstanding New Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Come From Away, Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Come From Away and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Come From Away.

What awards has Irene Sankoff won?

Irene Sankoff has won the following awards: Outstanding Book of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Come From Away, and Outstanding Book of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway) at the Outer Critics Circle Awards, also for Come From Away.

News Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

BroadwayWorld TV


Ticket Central
Hot Show
Tickets From $58
Hot Show
Tickets From $80
Hot Show
Tickets From $67
Hot Show
Tickets From $59