Our Little Secret: the 23andMe® Musical – Fringe tickets on sale for this astonishing, heart-warming musical
Researching your family tree can often throw up some unexpected results … but for a 31-year-old theatre kid from Canada, his life turned upside down.
A DNA testing kit from genetics firm 23and Me showed him that his dad was not his biological father, and that rather than being an only child, he had dozens of half siblings.
And as he grappled with his new identity, and tried to find a way to process the fact he had multiple half-siblings out there and wasn’t the only child he thought he was, Noam Tomaschoff did what he knew best – turned it into a musical.
Now, this multi-award winning show which has wowed critics and fans, is coming to Edinburgh for a run at the Fringe. And if the success is anything like its debut in Toronto, tickets will sell-out quickly.
We asked writer and star of the show Noam to tell us more about his story, and why he’s bringing it to the world’s best festival.
Your family history is a one-off – why take it to the stage?
People often ask me why I decided to write a musical about my genetic discovery, and my answer is always the same: I didn’t see an alternative! Incorporating this potentially destructive news into my life story through song and storytelling has been essential not only for me, but for my family as well.
Finding this out must have been mind-blowing. How did it play out?
Well, a moment that could have torn us apart – and almost did – actually brought us closer together. This story is so emotionally personal for me, and writing and performing it has been the most challenging but gratifying experience of my life. I am so excited to share it with everyone in Edinburgh.
You are/were an only child – what changed?
Well, my DNA test on 23and Me showed I have 38 half siblings (and counting) – we even have our own Facebook group!
Noam’s story
Through his work, Noam blends comedy, drama, and music, as the audience join him on an unforgettable and emotional journey as he learns about the sperm donor who helped his parents realise their dream of having a family. Critics say he blends charm and wit with raw vulnerability, and the audiences find themselves laughing, crying and roaring with laughter. It’s an empathetic look at the fallout for him and his family, less than a year on from finding out the news.
Critics have heaped praise on the show … Our Little Secret: the 23andMe® Musical became an instant sell-out show, and it won Best of Fringe Toronto in 2023, Best of Fringe and the Patron’s Pick Award.
Genetics company 23andMe® were so impressed that they flew Noam and his team down to their HQ to perform the show for their entire staff – and loved it so much they came on board as a corporate sponsor of the production.
And while the next step for the show is Montreal, where they have signed to the Segal Centre’s 24/25 season, a month-long run in Edinburgh has delighted Noam Tomaschoff - Writer and Performer, Ryan Peters - Composer, Russell Citron - Producer, who are all high school best friends.
Russell added: “We wrote our first musical together in high school and have remained best friends since, singing in Ryan’s basement for the past 15 years and coming up with crazy musical ideas together. But once Noam found out the big news, he wrote the show, and we came together to bring it to life. We've been working as the core team developing the show together ever since.
“It’s been a ton of fun working together. We are working hard but also loving the journey. Edinburgh Fringe is one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that you dream of.”
Audience feedback
The acclaim has been deafening for theatre goers, says Russell. “I can't tell you how many times I've heard "This NEEDS to be on Broadway!", “Why isn’t this on Broadway?!”, “Wow. I hate musicals, but I LOVED this!”
Equally, reviewers rate it highly. “Have you ever known that you were witnessing something that was destined to get real big, real fast? We’re overdue for another Fringe sleeper headed towards monster stardom, and it’s here. (…) Despite the weighty topic, the tone is gloriously light and funny. There is not a single false note in the entire show and no moment that feels clichéd. It’s an emotional ride of the best kind” – The Charming Modernist). And “Our Little Secret is a light, fun musical that drags the unspoken onstage to be sung about and in doing so makes a dark secret a bright light”! – My Entertainment World.
Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose (Doonstairs), 3 Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1HT Wednesday 31st July – Monday 26th August 2024 (not 7th, 12th, 13th, 20th), 5.30pm. Buy your tickets here.