David Hein | |
|---|---|
| Occupations | Librettist, composer-lyricist, musician |
| Years active | 2000s - present |
| Notable work |
|
| Spouse | Irene Sankoff |
David Hein is a Canadian librettist, composer-lyricist, musician, and actor best known for co-writing the Broadway musical Come from Away with his writing partner and wife, Irene Sankoff.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Hein was born in Regina, Saskatchewan. As a teenager he attended Lisgar Collegiate Institute in Ottawa where he developed an interest in Newfoundland folk music after hearing the band Great Big Sea.[2]
Hein began his university studies at Carleton University before transferring to York University in Toronto, Ontario, where he met Irene Sankoff.[3][4]
Early career and move to New York
[edit]After graduating, he and his fiancée moved to New York City in 1999 so that Sankoff could study acting at the Actors Studio while Hein worked as a musician and songwriter.[2][1]
They were living in New York during the September 11 attacks, and Hein has said that the mutual support among neighbours after 9/11 later informed themes in ''Come from Away''.[5]
My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding
[edit]After spending several years studying and working in New York the couple returned to Toronto where Hein wrote a song "My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding", about his mother’s coming out and later marriage, which he performed at her wedding reception.[2] Encouraged by the response, he and Sankoff expanded it into an autobiographical stage musical.[1]
The musical premiered at the Toronto Fringe Festival in 2009, where it became a sold-out hit,[6][7] and then picked up by Mirvish Productions for a run at Toronto's Panasonic Theatre before touring Canada.[8][9][10]
Come from Away
[edit]As a result of My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding's success, theatre producer Michael Rubinoff approached Hein and Sankoff with his idea about a show based on Operation Yellow Ribbon in which residents of Gander, Newfoundland, housed 7,000 airline passengers who had been stranded at Gander Airport as a result of the grounding of all North American air flights following the September 11 attacks, which became the musical Come from Away.[11]
Following the success of Come from Away, in 2023 Sankoff and Hein were awarded honorary doctorates by Memorial University of Newfoundland.[12]
Writing style and themes
[edit]Hein’s work, particularly in collaboration with Sankoff, draws on personal or real stories and is shaped by extensive interviews and community research.[2][4] Their musicals often blend folk- and pop-influenced music with direct audience address and emphasise community, identity and belonging.[13][14]
Personal life
[edit]Hein is married to writer and composer Irene Sankoff, with whom he frequently collaborates on musical theatre projects.[15] The couple have a daughter.[1] They divide their time between Canada and periods of work in New York and other cities where their shows are produced.[16]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Morrow, Martin (March 30, 2017). "Q&A: Irene Sankoff and David Hein, creators of the Toronto-born Broadway hit Come From Away". Toronto Life. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
- ^ a b c d Robb, Peter (August 16, 2019). "Come from Away: Success for writing team travels from Fringe to Broadway". Artsfile.
- ^ Nestruck, J. Kelly (February 17, 2017). "Landing on their feet". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
- ^ a b Ouzounian, Richard (24 November 2016). "The Love Story Behind Come From Away". Intermission Magazine. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
- ^ "Come from Away: Success for writing team travels from Fringe to Broadway – ARTSFILE". Retrieved 2025-12-01.
- ^ "My Mother's Lesbian Jewish-Wiccan Wedding (Toronto Fringe)". Mooney on Theatre. 2 July 2009. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
- ^ "My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding returns". The Canadian Jewish News. 4 November 2009. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
- ^ "W5: My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding hits main stage". CTV News. November 21, 2009. Archived from the original on October 28, 2015. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
- ^ "Review: My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding". CBC News. May 11, 2012. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
- ^ Ouzounian, Richard (December 14, 2015). "From Sept. 11 tragedy, a theatrical triumph". Toronto Star. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
- ^ Wong, Tony (November 13, 2016). "From Gander to Broadway". Toronto Star. p. E2. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
- ^ "Convocation approaches: Memorial University to confer 14 honorary degrees during spring ceremonies". Memorial University Gazette. Memorial University of Newfoundland. April 5, 2023. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
- ^ Loh, Angela (7 July 2022). "Come From Away: An overnight success ten years in the making". Ontario Arts Council – The Ripple Effect. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
- ^ "Choral Scene / Music Theatre and Dance". The WholeNote. 2 March 2018. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
- ^ Ouzounian, Richard (24 November 2016). "The Love Story Behind Come From Away". Intermission Magazine. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
- ^ Russo, Gillian (15 July 2022). "Writers Irene Sankoff and David Hein on how 'Come From Away' resonates 20 years after 9/11". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
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