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Irene Sankoff

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


ITF Expands Student Access to Performance with More Main Stage Opportunities
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 12, 2026

The Educational Theatre Association have announced an expanded slate of student performance opportunities for ITF 2026, reinforcing the festival's growing role as a national celebration of what is happening in school theatre programs.
Review: COME FROM AWAY at Paper Mill Playhouse-Kindness Takes Center Stage
by Marina Kennedy - Feb 10, 2026

The re-imagined production of 'Come From Away' is now on stage at Paper Mill Playhouse through Sunday, March 1. The production, ingeniously directed and choreographed by Richard J. Hinds, features actors playing musical instruments live onstage
Photos: COME FROM AWAY Opens at Paper Mill Playhouse
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 9, 2026

You can now check out photos from the opening of Come From Away at Paper Mill Playhouse. This reimagined production of Come From Away, which features the actors playing instruments live onstage, is directed and choreographed by Richard J. Hinds.
Exclusive: First Look At COME FROM AWAY At Paper Mill Playhouse
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 4, 2026

Check out exclusive first look photos as Paper Mill Playhouse presents the Tony Award-winning musical Come From Away. This reimagined production of Come From Away, which features the actors playing instruments live onstage, is directed and choreographed by Richard J. Hinds.
COME FROM AWAY and More Set for Citadel Theatre 2026/27 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 3, 2026

The Citadel Theatre has revealed its 2026/27 season, a wide-ranging and adventurous lineup that celebrates stories from across Canada and around the world, while marking a major milestone in the theatre's history.
Video: COME FROM AWAY at Paper Mill Playhouse Rehearses 'Stop the World'
by Michael Major - Feb 2, 2026

Paper Mill Playhouse has released video footage of Andréa Burns and Kent M. Lewis performing 'Stop the World' in rehearsals for their upcoming reimagined production of Come From Away. 
Review: COME FROM AWAY at The Phoenix Theatre Company
by Herbert Paine - Jan 31, 2026

COME FROM AWAY makes you care with a humility and vigor that feel bracingly out of step with our more cynical age.
Front Porch Theatricals Announces 2026 Season Casting
by Stephi Wild - Jan 30, 2026

Front Porch Theatricals has announced its cast for the 2026 season, featuring a lineup of acclaimed productions. Learn more about the upcoming season and the cast here!
COME FROM AWAY is Coming to The Phoenix Theatre Company
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 26, 2026

The Phoenix Theatre Company will present Come From Away, the Tony Award-winning musical that shares the true story of 7,000 stranded airline passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them in the wake of September 11, 2001.
Review: Short North Stage's COME FROM AWAY at Garden Theatre
by Paul Batterson - Jan 26, 2026

What did our critic think of SHORT NORTH STAGE'S COME FROM AWAY at Garden Theatre?
Interview: Adam Williams And Kristin Kelleher of COME FROM AWAY at Short North Stage
by Paul Batterson - Jan 20, 2026

As a flight attendant years after the Sept. 11 attacks, Adam Williams used to think it was a minor inconvenience every time his plane was diverted to Gander, Newfoundland, and Labrador because of a storm in New York City.
COME FROM AWAY, 42ND STREET, and More Set For Sharon Playhouse 2026 Season
by Stephi Wild - Jan 20, 2026

Sharon Playhouse will present a diverse lineup for its 2026 season, including both mainstage and YouthStage productions, showcasing community talent and creativity.
COME FROM AWAY to be Presented at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 14, 2026

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley will conclude Season 55 with Irene Sankoff and David Hein's Come From Away. TheatreWorks Founder/Artistic Director Emeritus Robert Kelley returns to direct.
Will Aronson and Hue Park Honored With ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 14, 2026

The ASCAP Foundation has recognized musical theater writing duo Will Aronson and Hue Park, creators of the Tony Award-winning musical Maybe Happy Ending, with The ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award.
ATF Unveils Lineup for Its 32nd Season Featuring New Productions
by Stephi Wild - Jan 14, 2026

Adirondack Theatre Festival has announced its 32nd season, set to showcase a series of new and innovative theatrical productions. The season will kick off in 2026, offering audiences a diverse array of performances that highlight contemporary themes and storytelling.
Photos: Jeannette Bayardelle, Andréa Burns and More in COME FROM AWAY Rehearsals at Paper Mill
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 13, 2026

Paper Mill Playhouse began rehearsals this week for Come From Away, the next production in Paper Mill’s 2025-2026 season. The cast features Jeannette Bayardelle, Andréa Burns and more. See rehearsal photos here!
Jewish Plays Project Unveils The 15th National Jewish Playwriting Contest Finalists
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 16, 2025

The Jewish Plays Project has announced the 7 finalists for the 15th National Jewish Playwriting Contest, chosen from over 325 submissions from 27 states and 7 countries.
Cast and Creatives Set For Reimagined COME FROM AWAY at Paper Mill Playhouse
by Stephi Wild - Dec 9, 2025

Paper Mill Playhouse has announced complete casting and the creative team for Come From Away, the next production in Paper Mill’s 2025-2026 season. Learn more about the show here!
Jeannette Bayardelle, Andréa Burns and More to Star in COME FROM AWAY at Paper Mill Playhouse
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 9, 2025

Paper Mill Playhouse has revealed the complete cast and the creative team for Come From Away, the next production in Paper Mill’s 2025-2026 season.
COME FROM AWAY is Coming to Gander's Joseph R. Smallwood Arts and Culture Centre in summer 2026
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 8, 2025

Following a third record-breaking summer season, director Jillian Keiley's production of Irene Sankoff and David Hein's Come From Away will return to Gander's Joseph R. Smallwood Arts and Culture Centre in summer 2026.

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 Outstanding Book of a Musical award at the Drama Desk Awards for Come From Away. She also received the Outstanding Book of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway) award from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Come From Away.

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Videos