Noam Tomaschoff discovered at age 31 that he was conceived with donor sperm and has at least 35 half-siblings, prompting a transformation into an autobiographical musical playing in Toronto.
That personal discovery inspired Our Little Secret: A True New Musical, which runs at Mirvish’s CAA Theatre through November 22. Tomaschoff stars in the solo musical, which explores family dynamics, his relationship with the man who raised him, and an expansive biological family network connected by a Facebook group.
Toronto performer Noam Tomaschoff discovered he had more than 35 siblings, then turned the revelation into 'Our Little Secret'. The award-winning musical now runs at Toronto's CAA Theatre November 3–22. https://t.co/Id1K6Y4ClK
The musical began at the 2023 Toronto Fringe Festival under the title Our Little Secret: The 23andMe Musical, where it sold out and won Patron’s Pick and Best of Fringe. The production consisted of little more than Tomaschoff and a table during its Fringe beginnings.
The show was written by and stars Noam Tomaschoff, with music by Ryan Peters, and was co-created and produced by Russell Citron. Citron, Peters and Tomaschoff share a long history, having written and staged an original musical called Just a Regular Day together in Grade 11.
One DNA test. More than 35 half-siblings. And one very unexpected musical. Toronto performer Noam Tomaschoff learned at 31 that the dad who raised him wasn’t his biological father. Instead of keeping the family secret quiet, he put it onstage. "Our Little Secret" has now made…
The production was presented at Montreal’s Segal Centre for Performing Arts for an enhanced Mainstage production featuring a live band, becoming one of the theatre’s best-selling shows and winning five Broadway World Awards, including Best New Musical, before arriving at the CAA Theatre under the presentation of Mirvish Productions, with Russell Citron.
The show’s marketing materials spell out the 90-minute musical’s narrative arc in just a few sentences. At 90 minutes, it has been expanded since its 2023 premiere. The performance describes his father, Gideon, as a stubborn, eccentric, and caring man who supported his son’s ambitions after watching him perform in a camp production of Mamma Mia!
The current production features direction by Adam Pascal and set design by Bruno-Pierre Houle. On opening night, Citron and Peters both came out onstage to welcome the audience, calling it “absolutely surreal” and “a big night for us” to be staging their musical at a Mirvish theatre after seeing Mirvish productions as kids, such as The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast.
Opening night brought out the creators and Tomaschoff’s parents, whom the actor acknowledged from the stage.
“They supported me in my decision to go to drama school. And they’ve come to all my performances. In fact, they are actually here tonight. Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like you to meet Gideon and Sylvie, my parents,” Tomaschoff said to the audience.
'Our Little Secret' brings Noam Tomaschoff's true story of discovering more than 35 siblings to Toronto's CAA Theatre. Directed by 'Rent' star Adam Pascal, the musical runs November 3–22 after acclaimed Fringe runs. https://t.co/mjqEsGf4KS