This is the second part of this Encore Episode from 2021 featuring a conversation with Irene Sankoff & David Hein — the dynamic writing team and married couple that created the international smash hit musical Come From Away which recently topped American Theatre magazine's list of the most produced plays in America in 2025/26.
David Hein
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.
Latest News on David Hein:
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.
Productions
Writing
Awards and Nominations
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David Hein, Come From Away
David Hein, Come From Away
David Hein, Come From Away
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David Hein, Come From Away
David Hein, Come From Away
David Hein, Come From Away
David Hein, Come From Away
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
David Hein has written 1 shows including Come From Away (Book, Music, and Lyrics).
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.
David Hein has won the Outstanding Book of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Come From Away, and the Outstanding Book of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway) at the Outer Critics Circle Awards, also for Come From Away.
Podcasts
The Most Produced Play in America: Come From Away
My guests today are Irene Sankoff & David Hein – the dynamic writing team and married couple that created the giant international smash hit musical Come From Away. Five productions of Come From Away have recently reopened around the world: Broadway, Toronto, London, Sydney and on tour across America.
Episode 46: "ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS"
My guests today are Irene Sankoff & David Hein – the dynamic writing team and married couple that created the giant international smash hit musical Come From Away. Five productions of Come From Away have recently reopened around the world: Broadway, Toronto, London, Sydney and on tour across America.
#9 - Come From Away (Live from BroadwayCon 2020)
Welcome to the Rock! Live from BroadwayCon we ‘Deep Dive’ with the creators, director, choreographer and several original actors from the hit musical COME FROM AWAY. How did this incredibly moving, universal story of hope, generosity and compassion come to life?
Episode 114: Irene Sankoff & David Hein get Broadwaysted!
Play along as Irene Sankoff & David Hein (Come From Away) join Bryan, Kevin, and Kimberly for Reyka vodka, Tanteo tequila, broadway talk, theatre games, bad puns, MANCAN wine, and Flor de Caña rum. Become a supporter on our Patreon: https://bit.ly/2Q2zELG.
123 - Irene Sankoff and David Hein
Irene Sankoff and David Hein are a Canadian librettist and composer-lyricist couple, best known for co-writing the Broadway musical Come From Away.

