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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


COME FROM AWAY & More Set for Milwaukee Rep 2025/26 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 28, 2025

Milwaukee Repertory Theater has revealed its inaugural season of the Associated Bank Theater Center, its new home for entertaining, provoking, and engaging theater. See the lineup and learn how to purchase tickets.
What Broadway Shows Are On Tour Across North America in 2025? - A Complete Guide
by Joshua Wright - Jan 27, 2025

Looking for a show to see in a city near you? Check out our guide of current and upcoming Broadway tours, and learn about each production as they make their way across the United States and Canada on their North American routes, including musicals and plays.
John Tartaglia, Marcia Milgrom Dodge, Rob Ruggiero & More Join The Muny 107th Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 17, 2025

The Muny has revealed the teams of directors, choreographers, music directors and lead designers whose creative visions will bring the theatre’s bold 2025 season to life. Learn more about the upcoming season!
Original Canadian Production of COME FROM AWAY to Perform 1000th Performance
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 16, 2025

The original Canadian production of Come From Away will mark a milestone on January 29, 2025 when it gives its 1000th performance at the historic Royal Alexandra Theatre. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
WHEN ELVIS MET THE BEATLES Will Premiere at Ogunquit Playhouse; 2025 Season Announced
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 14, 2025

Ogunquit Playhouse has unveiled their 93rd season, featuring a world premiere production, Guys and Dolls, and much more. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.
COME FROM AWAY Celebra 250 Funciones en el Teatro Marquina de Madrid
by Juan-Jose Gonzalez - Dec 26, 2024

El aclamado musical COME FROM AWAY alcanza un hito importante en su exitosa temporada en Madrid al celebrar 250 funciones en el Teatro Marquina. Estrenado el 28 de septiembre de 2023, este emocionante espectáculo se ha ganado el corazón del público español gracias a su conmovedora historia y su innovadora puesta en escena.
COME FROM AWAY Returns To The Washington Pavilion In January
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 12, 2024

The Washington Pavilion will welcome the popular musical production of COME FROM AWAY back to its stage for a limited time engagement on January 7–9, 2025.
COME FROM AWAY hará una función benéfica para los afectados de la Dana
by Jose German Martinez Paneque - Dec 5, 2024

El próximo 14 de diciembre la producción madrileña de COME FROM AWAY donará toda la recaudación de taquilla de su función de las 16.00h a la Fundació Horta Sud, con el objetivo de reconstruir los pueblos afectados por la dana del pasado 29 de octubre que afectó a más de 70 localidades y miles de personas en la provincia de València.
Announcing Seven Finalists in the 14th National Jewish Playwriting Contest; Finalists To Embark On International Tour, Including NYC and Israel
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 4, 2024

The Jewish Plays Project has announced the seven finalists for the 14th National Jewish Playwriting Contest, chosen from over 350 submissions from 28 states and 4 countries.
MTI Will Make ALL TOGETHER NOW! Free for Theatres Affected by Natural Disasters
by Nicole Rosky - Nov 26, 2024

MTI's All Together Now!: A Benefit Event for Disaster Relief is a show designed to be used as a fundraiser for affected theatres, and will be available in early 2025. 
Tickets to COME FROM AWAY in Chicago to Go On Sale Tomorrow
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 21, 2024

The national tour of COME FROM AWAY, a Broadway musical about the true story of the small town that welcomed the world, will return to Chicago this winter. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
COME FROM AWAY Returns To Gander In 2025
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 20, 2024

COME FROM AWAY will return to Gander's Joseph R. Smallwood Arts and Culture Centre for a third summer season in 2025, following a successful sold-out run. Tickets are now available.
SUFFS Creator Shaina Taub Presented With ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 16, 2024

Shaina Taub, a Broadway star and two-time Tony Award winner, was honored with the ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award, recognizing her contributions to musical theater.
Tickets on Sale For HADESTOWN and COME FROM AWAY in Cleveland
by Stephi Wild - Nov 15, 2024

Playhouse Square announced that tickets to the touring Broadway productions of HADESTOWN and COME FROM AWAY are available for purchase now. Learn more here!
COME FROM AWAY prorroga funciones hasta enero
by Jose German Martinez Paneque - Nov 12, 2024

COME FROM AWAY ha anunciado que seguirá ofreciendo funciones en el Teatro Marquina de Madrid hasta el próximo 12 de enero, ofreciendo así funciones a lo largo de todas las navidades.
COME FROM AWAY to Return to The Fisher Theater in February
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 4, 2024

COME FROM AWAY will return to the Fisher Theatre in Detroit. Experience the musical that tells the story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town that welcomed them. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Tickets to COME FROM AWAY at the Aronoff Center on Sale Tomorrow
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 24, 2024

Single tickets for the national tour of COME FROM AWAY at the Aranoff Center will go on sale Friday, October 25 at 10:00 AM. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Video: COME FROM AWAY Holds USO Concerts for U.S Military Community
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 23, 2024

For the first time in modern American history, the national tour of a Broadway show performed for the military community at U.S. military installations. The national tour of COME FROM AWAY, a Tony-award-winning musical, performed an exclusive live concert version of the show at three military installations, organized by the USO and No Guarantees Productions. Check out video from inside the special concerts.
Exclusive: COME FROM AWAY Tour Performs at Three Military Installations
by Joshua Wright - Oct 22, 2024

For the first time in modern American history, the national tour of a Broadway show performed for the military community at U.S. military installations.
Tickets On Sale For COME FROM AWAY Return Engagement At The Hippodrome
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 19, 2024

The national tour of COME FROM AWAY, a Broadway musical about the true story of the small town that welcomed the world, returns to the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, home of Baltimore's historic Hippodrome Theatre, for a limited engagement April 18-19, 2025.

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 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 for Come From Away.

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Videos