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Irene Sankoff

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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


Review: COME FROM AWAY at Royal Alexandra Theatre

You must be living under a rock if you haven't heard of or seen Come From Away, the critically acclaimed musical with book, music, and lyrics written by Irene Sankoff and David Hein that has captured the hearts of audiences all over the world. Based on a true story with characters written after real people, Come From Away tells the tale of 7000 people stranded in Gander, Newfoundland after the September 11 tragedy and the small town that opened their hearts and homes and welcomed them in. 
Review: COME FROM AWAY, King's Theatre

Winner of four Olivier Awards including Best New Musical in London and the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical on Broadway, this smash hit show shares the incredible real-life story of the 7,000 air passengers from all over the world who were grounded in Canada during the wake of 9/11, and the small Newfoundland community that invited these ‘come from aways’ into their lives with open hearts.
COME FROM AWAY On Sale This Friday At Bass Concert Hall

Tickets for the acclaimed musical COME FROM AWAY at Bass Concert Hall on January 4-5 will be available starting Friday. Don't miss this opportunity to experience the remarkable story live on stage.
COME FROM AWAY Comes to New Stage Theatre in 2025

Come From Away comes to New Stage Theatre next year. Performances run May 27-June 8, 2025. The musical features Book, Music, and Lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein.
COME FROM AWAY Extended in Canada To March 2025

Performances of Come From Away at the historic Royal Alexandra Theatre have been extended. Come From Away takes you into the heart of the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Learn how to purchase tickets.
How Often Do Broadway Writing Teams Share Credits?

This time, the reader question was: How often do Broadway writing teams share credits for both music and lyrics? 
Harris Center To Present COME FROM AWAY & LIFE ON OUR PLANET

Harris Center for The Arts will present back-to-back shows to wrap up October: OUR PLANET LIVE – LIFE ON OUR PLANET with Dan Tapster, a Netflix Original Documentary Series on Sunday, October 20 at 7:30pm, followed by a “Best Musical” winner all across North America, COME FROM AWAY, performing eight times, October 22-27, with Tuesday-Saturday evening performances at 7:30pm, and Friday-Sunday matinees at 2:00pm.
Video: 2024 Canadian Production of COME FROM AWAY

The Canadian production of Come From Away will make its triumphant return home to the historic Royal Alexandra Theatre this fall. Get a first look at footage from the production!
PHOTOS: Noche de estreno VIP de COME FROM AWAY en el Marquina de Madrid

La producción de The Stage Company con Carla Calabrese como directora tuvo anoche su estreno oficial.
TV: Entrevistas con el equipo de COME FROM AWAY en el Teatro Marquina de Madrid

La producción de The Stage Company ya se puede ver en la capital.
TV: Highlights de COME FROM AWAY en el Teatro Marquina de Madrid

La producción de The Stage Company se estrena hoy en la capital.
PHOTOS: COME FROM AWAY se presenta en el Teatro Marquina de Madrid

El musical nominado a los Tony y ganador de 4 Premios Olivier comenzará funciones el 12 de septiembre.
COME FROM AWAY comienza funciones en el Marquina de Madrid esta semana

El musical nominado a los Tony y ganador de 4 Premios Olivier comenzará funciones el 12 de septiembre.
Full Cast Set For 2024-2025 COME FROM AWAY Tour

The full cast has been revealed for the 2024-2025 touring production of COME FROM AWAY! See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.
Photos: COME FROM AWAY At National Arts Centre English Theatre

Now playing a sell-out engagement at the National Arts Centre English Theatre in Ottawa, the Canadian production of the multi-award-winning global sensation Come From Away will make its return home to the historic Royal Alexandra Theatre next month. See photos from the production!
Review: COME FROM AWAY at Château De Karreveld

At the Château De Karreveld, the Bruxellons! Festival presents the first French-language adaptation of the Tony-winning musical Come From Away.
Review: COME FROM AWAY at the National Arts Centre

What did our critic think of COME FROM AWAY at National Arts Centre?
COME FROM AWAY National Tour Performs At U.S. Military Installations

The national tour of a Broadway show has made history by performing at U.S. military installations, marking a significant cultural milestone for both the theater community and military personnel. Learn more!
Review: COME FROM AWAY at Robinson Center

What did our critic think of COME FROM AWAY at Robinson Center?
COME FROM AWAY Will Be First Broadway National Tour to Perform at U.S. Military Installations

The National Tour of COME FROM AWAY, a Tony-award-winning musical, will make stops at three military installations this August, which marks the first time in modern American history that the national tour of a Broadway show will perform an exclusive live concert version for the military community at U.S. military installations.

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?

Irene Sankoff has been nominated for the following awards: - 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 - 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 Outstanding Book of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Come From Away. Additionally, she received the Outstanding Book of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway) award at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for the same show, Come From Away.

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