CIFA_EP38
AUDIO	VIDEO	
[MUSIC PLAYING] 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: Hey everyone, I'm Steffi D. 	Lisa and Steffi appear in different chat windows on screen	
LISA HUMBER: And I'm Lisa H. 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: And welcome to Check In From Away. 		
LISA HUMBER: This week we are hosting our closing party episode. 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: Thanks for joining us. 		
[MUSIC PLAYING] 	CREDITS SEQUENCE
TEXT: Check In From Away with Steffi D. and Lisa H.
Steffi and Lisa’s windows slide together and they mime clinking their mugs together.	
		
Hey Lisa, guess what? 		
LISA HUMBER: What? 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: Today kind of a sad day, which is why we are both dressed in black. Because we are mourning that this is our final episode of Check In From Away, because we're going back to Come From Away in December. 		
[AIRHORN PLAYING] 		
LISA H: Yeah, it took one global pandemic, right? The two of us, to do 38 episodes, over two seasons, over 100 guests, 17 dogs, and over 70,000 views. 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: Lisa, isn't this incredible? 		
LISA HUMBER: Yeah, it's very exciting. And we have a great show for you today. We are going to be taking you through some of our favorite Check In From Away moments. 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: And we also have a very super-duper special guest, the one, the only, David Mirvish. 		
[CHEERING] 		
Let's do it Lisa. 		
LISA HUMBER: Let's jump in. Mr. David Mirvish the one who has made this show possible, who makes the shows happen in Toronto, and we couldn't be more excited to have him on our closing episode, our closing night party of Check In From Away. 		
DAVID MIRVISH: My father used to say, the greatest dramas sometimes took place offstage in the office, and sometimes he was right. But my favorite memory is actually the year before we bought the Royal Alexandra Theater. 		
I went on my first date with my wife, and the show was Gypsy Rose Lee in Threepenny Opera. And we were 16, and we were holding hands, and she was a little raw. And by the end of the first act, we were both kind of embarrassed of looking at each other, and we went out and had a milkshake, and didn't see the second act. 		
But it wasn't a bad night because we're still married, that is 57 years. In the Royal Alexandra in this upper balcony in the very back row there are two seats on either side, those are the courting seats. Nobody sees you when you sit there. 		
[WHISTLING] 		
LISA HUMBER: Whoo, hot tip. And you know, we're a big fan of showmances here on Check In From Away. So David, the original showmance, 57 years later here you are, that is thrilling. Thank you for sharing that. 		
DAVID MIRVISH: I'm in theater because of an accident. I started out in the art world, and I looked at what my father was presenting, and I had the audacity to say, I thought we could do better. And he said, am I hearing a volunteer? And that was 1986, and I put up my hand. 		
And I'd been going to all the shows of Tarragon, and I'd seen the Reaney trilogy and all the various shows of that time, and I did think we could do better. And I'm very proud of how we've done. 		
We've gone from one theater, to four theaters. We've gone from shows that we're only traveling, to shows where we find the cast, and where we are involved with the shows. We're now involved with shows before they begin. 		
We invest in them all over the world, so that if they are a success, they'll think of Toronto. So it's been a great adventure, a great trip, and I think I'm now in theater because I just love it. And that, I never expected. I do love it. 		
I never had any doubt about-- stuff about it dying. I did feel a lot of pain for all the people who are out of work, that was not easy. I've never had a situation where so many people who I've been close to for so many years, who are suddenly put in a position where they were struggling. 		
And I hope we never find ourselves-- if we find ourselves in that situation, because we've now gone through it once, I hope we're going to be able to prepare a little better. So that in the future it'll maybe be a little easier on everyone, and I know this wasn't easy. On the other hand, if I wasn't an optimist I wouldn't be doing theater. Because that's how you become a millionaire, you start out with many millions and you go into theater. 		
[LAUGHTER] 		
We're very lucky. I'm hopeful that all the things I've always believed and seen in this city, is that people love coming out and being together. And I believe that as we begin to feel safe and know that it's safe, people will come out. 		
And I'm looking forward to going to see Eddie Izzard on the 5th of November. It won't be a full house because every two seats, we put an empty seat next to it. Because it's November, it's not December yet. So we're taking baby steps, but we're going to be back and we're going to have fun. 		
That's a tough one, because there are three roles that-- well, Ozzy Fudge, just so I could go, [TOOTING] put that down. 		
[LAUGHTER] 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: I love it. 		
DAVID MIRVISH: But you know, I wouldn't mind being Bob and collecting a few barbecues and seeing what happens. I think that could be pretty interesting too. 		
LISA HUMBER: yeah. 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: Yeah. 		
DAVID MIRVISH: So, I can't be Claude, because he's le grand fromage. And I'm already le grand fromage, so enough big cheese in the house. 		
[LAUGHTER] 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: That's hilarious. David I'm kind of sad that you didn't say you wanted to play Janice though. 		
DAVID MIRVISH: Well, I could take a shot at it, but I can tell you none of the actors have to fear me. I once was sitting at auditions and Barbara Chilcott was about to read with the director. And he turned to me and he said, David, you read with Barbara. 		
And that's when I learned that auditioning is like playing ping pong-- you have to throw the ball over the net, so someone else can hit it back. And if you don't do your lines in a way that gives them something to work with, you're killing them. 		
I was so embarrassed I said, Barbara please, please don't blame me if you don't get this job, because you're wonderful and I'm not. So none of the actors have to worry about it. 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: That's hilarious, I love it. Yeah. But I do want to reiterate. I think you would look great in the blonde wig that I wear in the show. 		
DAVID MIRVISH: I have a show that would never ordinarily come to our theater, because the actors in it would always be planning far ahead and have other jobs, and it's a show that we would get not right away, but years later. 		
And the show is called Leopoldstadt, and it's opening in the middle of January. And it took Tom Stoppard five years to write this play-- Tom is 84 now. And we have the original London cast, we'll be the first place outside of England to ever get this group of people. 		
And it's an epic play that I saw in the very first preview on the last day before COVID shut us down in England. So I'm very excited about it, I asked if we could possibly do it. It has won all the awards in England, and it's going to come in the middle of January. And I hope everyone will make an effort to see this, because I think it will give them a memory that will last for the rest of their lives. 		
Well, I think what I'm looking forward to most of all is community. You know, we've all been separated from each other so much, and my audience is a regular audience when they're subscribers. And they know each other. They may have very different tastes, they may have different ideas, but they share an experience together, and I think that, that's important. 		
And for me that's important, to be able to talk to people again, to be in the office. All shows are of a moment if they succeed. There's an audience that really wants it in that moment because the show is relevant. 		
And I love the idea that people have been preparing these last 18 months to come back. And there are all sorts of wonderful shows that we're running that will step up our game, and all sorts of new ideas that have been percolating new ways to do things. 		
I think that the audience is an important part of every live show. And once you begin to realize that you're a collaborator with the actors, that you're responding to them, and they can sense you out there, I think you begin to be engaged with saying this is us as a community. 		
And we define ourselves, because live theater only happens that night in that place. It's a memory. Nothing can take it away from us. And if it was great, it simply grows bigger in our mind-- our memories of it. So that's a gift the actors are giving us in the audience-- the opportunity to dream and remember. 		
This has been a wonderful, wonderful show to lift our spirits through this whole long time. And it's this time for it to end, but look at the gifts that you've given us. So thank you for all of that. 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: Aw, David, thank you so much. That means so much coming from the boss, 		
LISA HUMBER: Yes. 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: From the man of the hour, the one, the only. 		
DAVID MIRVISH: Don't call me the boss, just call me le grand fromage. 		
[LAUGHING] 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: Right. 		
LISA HUMBER: All right. You heard it here first. 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: You're right. 		
DAVID MIRVISH: Thank you. 		
LISA HUMBER: Thank you so much David. We'll see you soon. See you in December at the Come From Away. 		
DAVID MIRVISH: Have fun. 		
[MUSIC PLAYING] 		
		
SPEAKER 1: 10. 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: Lisa, this next moment is one of my favorite and most important moments that I've had on Check In From Away, where I undoubtedly was the smartest that I've ever been on the show. And right now I'm going to give you a trick question, and you have 10 seconds to answer it properly, OK? 		
[MUSIC PLAYING] 		
Lisa, is it pronounced "too-muh-rik," or "tur-muh-rik?" 		
LISA HUMBER: Well, up until a year ago, I would have said "too-muh-rik," but final answer, "tur-muh-rik." 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: Lisa, your final answer, are we locking it in? And the answer is, "tur-muh-rik." 		
LISA HUMBER: T-- 		
SPEAKER 2: Is it? 		
LISA HUMBER: U-R-M-E-R-I-C. 		
SPEAKER 1: Nine. 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: Lisa, this next moment that I loved so much about Check In From Away, is in our Alice in Wonderland episode. We were talking to Landon Doak. And Landon told us the craziest knowledge that I've ever heard in my entire life. And since then I have told other people, because it's the wildest fact I've ever heard. 		
		
LANDON DOAK (ON VIDEO): Did you know that when caterpillars turn into a cocoon, inside the they're full of goo, that a caterpillar makes a cocoon, and it's not like the caterpillar just grows wings and becomes a butterfly, it decomposes into a primordial goo. 		
So if you break open a cocoon, it's just liquid like honey, and then from that primordial goo, they reform into a butterfly. A lot of people think a caterpillar just kind of grows wings and changes like a Pokemon evolves, and it's not the case. Cocoons are full of goo. 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO (ON VIDEO): What? 		
SPEAKER 1: Eight. 		
LISA HUMBER: One of my favorite moments, and this is like a real throwback, we're talking like June of 2020. And as many of our viewers know, I've been producing and putting out a whole bunch of original music. But at this time, that was still just a dream in my head. And we did the Canadian Idol episode, where Jake Gold the original judge from the show, came on to be one of our special guests. I auditioned for him, and he gave me a golden ticket. 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: He sure did Lisa. Also, you know me and Jake are like neighbors, I saw him the other day outside. 		
LISA HUMBER: Is he going to sign me or help me with my-- 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: Yeah. He's like, you and Lisa, we're making a record. 		
JAKE GOLD (ON VIDEO): Once you pick up your ticket, you need to think about not doing Celine Dion next time, and maybe do something that's a little bit more relatable to you. So yes, I'm a yes. 		
SPEAKER 1: Seven. 		
JAKE GOLD: Steffi and I are usually always on the same page when it comes to the questions we're going to ask and the fun things that we're going to do with the guests, except for this one time when we were prepping for the War Horse reunion episode. Steffi, right? 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: Yeah. Listen, I remember Lisa, that you were not on board with this question whatsoever. And I think I do recall that when I asked the question originally to a guest like live on Zoom, you said out loud, not with your inside voice, you said, that is so dumb. 		
LISA HUMBER: You know what though, you were right, because it ended up being my favorite moment in the episode. And it was when we asked folks, if you could be a horse in real life, what kind of horse would you be? 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: I think it's a winning question to ask anyone really, when you're getting to know someone. 		
TOMMY LUTHER (ON VIDEO): I think Joey was pretty much close to-- I think I would be reddish, like a reddish horse. And I like the fact that Joey had these white shoes. I think I would be very noble, and intelligent, a little bit whimsical philosophical at times. 		
I wouldn't be very easily frightened, I wouldn't be one of those scary horses. I'd be very mellow, and yet certainly country-- country horse. I mean, I can't really think of city horses but-- 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO (ON VIDEO): So essentially, you are exactly who you are, but you're in a horse form instead of in a human form. 		
SPEAKER 1: Six. 		
LISA HUMBER: This next show that we're going to mention, I love the guest, I love the show. We did Hamilton, we chatted with Warren Egypt of Franklin, it was awesome. But I will tell you that it was the most embarrassing moment in my Check In From Away career, because we had to dance. And I'm not a dancer at all, and I was super stressed about it and spoiler alert, Steffi, should we tell our audience? 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: OK, yes. We need to come clean about this. We're in the final episode, it's the final countdown, let's just come clean about this. We made our viewers believe at home that we were learning the choreography from my shot from Hamilton on the spot with Warren, but the truth is that we learned it ahead of time, OK? 		
We found a video online of a choreographer explaining all the moves to us. We learned it ahead of time, and then we made you believe that we learned it on the spot on Zoom with Warren when that was not the case. And we're sorry if we tricked you into believing that we're both dancers, OK? 		
LISA HUMBER: Yeah, I mean, I don't think I tricked anyone, like let's watch the clip. We'll see definitely even having the video ahead of time, no. 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: Let's definitely watch the clip. 		
[VIDEO PLAYBACK] 		
[MUSIC PLAYING] 		
		
- Woo! 		
[APPLAUSE] 		
		
[INAUDIBLE] did very good. OK, that was good. 		
SPEAKER 1: 5! 		
LISA HUMBER: Steffie, I have to tell you, one of my favorite all time moments on Check In From Away was when we interviewed Jack and Sergio for our Showmances episode. Several reasons-- their love story first of all, is so inspiring. And you and I both love a good love story. 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: We do. We do, yeah. 		
LISA HUMBER: Also, it was the launch of season 2, we did the Instagram Live and the Always music video that Jack starred in. That was like Teen Dream Lisa was just in heaven being able to talk to Jack. Like, I had loved that music video so much as a 14-year-old girl. So then to know him, to hear his love story, and then to do a little throwback to that music video was a really fun way to kick off season 2. 		
[MUSIC - BON JOVI, ''ALWAYS''] 		
(SINGING) I will love you baby. 		
LISA HUMBER: And wouldn't you know that it was about 6 months into our contract of [INAUDIBLE] forward that I realized that 14-year-old me had been lusting after you Jack Noseworthy. 		
SPEAKER 1: 4! 		
LISA HUMBER: One of my all time favorite moments on Check In From Away was the holiday extravaganza episodes, part 1 and part 2 because the community came together. So much talent in one/two shows. Incredible to watch. But most importantly-- and this is something that I'm a huge advocate about-- was that we also raised over $1,500 for the AFC. And that's thanks to you, the viewers, who kept watching over and over again and really sharing that sense of community and generosity for the holiday spirit. So that's one of my favorite moments of all time. 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: And also one of my favorite moments of all time in those episodes is Kyle Brown singing that song, Lisa. Kyle, listen to me. You know how many times Lisa and I watched that video over and over again just to hear your voice soaring to the heavens? Can we watch a clip right now? 		
LISA HUMBER: You know what though? I'm really actually disappointed that you didn't say Boxing Day was your favorite video in the holiday extravaganzas. 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: I mean, yeah. Sorry, Kyle. You were my second favorite video in the holiday extravaganza, OK? 		
SPEAKER 3 (SINGING): I still have hope for the world. Maybe we'll find peace all night. 		
SPEAKER 1: 3! 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: Lisa, it's my turn to give you one of my absolute favorite moments of all time on Check In From Away. Colin and Deb. On If Comedy Be The Food Of Love episode. They gave us dating advice that was really, really sorely needed at the time. And honestly, I think it's one of my favorite moments maybe of my entire life as well. 		
SPEAKER 4: And one other piece of advice-- in of the next little while you'll be having all your dates on patios. Beware because when it's over, you might find out that you're dating an agoraphobic. 		
SPEAKER 1: 2! 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: Lisa, dare I say that probably my favorite episode out of all the 38 episodes we've done, 2 seasons, hundreds of guests later, my favorite episode was Newfoundland Stars. 		
LISA HUMBER: Oh, really? 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: I'll tell you why. Because listen, I've a huge, huge crush on Tom Power from CBC's Q. He doesn't know that. But now if he's watching Check In From Away, which I know you are Tom, I know you are. Now he knows that I have a crush on him. 		
You are the host of Q on CBC Radio One. And I've got to say, one of your most important guests that you've ever had on the show was me. 		
TOM POWER: You? Really? It was that ratings juggernaut you came on and talked to me about downloading Tinder in Newfoundland. That was truly the beginning of my term. 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: That was the beginning of the end of my career I guess. Saying that I downloaded Tinder in Newfoundland. 		
LISA HUMBER: Mary Walsh, who was on the show. She was the first guest and maybe the only guest that we've ever had where we had no direct contact with her. And Steffi and I were dreamers. So we thought, you know what? Let's just email her agent and see what happens. And it was the first time we had ever done that. And she said yes! 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: Literally, Lisa, I remember how shocked-- I was shook when we got that email. Like, yeah, Mary's totally interested in doing this. Give me more information, we'll set it up. Literally couldn't believe it. It was wild. That's when we knew we hit the big time. 		
LISA HUMBER: That's right. We were like, Check In From Away has made it. We just cold called an agent, and we got our guest. 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: Mhm-hmm. 		
MARY WALSH: Hi, I'm Mary Walsh. I grew up in St John's Newfoundland, though my family moved up around the Bay after Conception Harbor, which is part of Conception Bay when I was 11, but I didn't go with them though I visited them there. So am I a townie or a bayman? I can't tell. And I still live in St John's. 		
SPEAKER 1: 1! 		
LISA HUMBER: So this next moment, we thought that maybe our editor, Tristan Gough could choose. 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: Yeah, Lisa. We have no idea what he's going to say or what his favorite moment of Check In From Away was, but I can't wait to find out. Tristan, take it away. 		
TRISTAN GOUGH: Hey, Steffi and Lisa. There's been so many great moments over these 38 episodes. But for me, the best time was in The Summer in The City episode where we all went around Toronto and saw different sites, and you guys bought me my very own ice cream cone. 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: Welcome to Fugo Desserts, my favorite place in the city to get some treats. 		
LISA HUMBER: I'm so excited. Thank you for bringing me here. 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: Yeah, we're going to have some pretty crazy monster ice cream cones. OK, so we just got some of our treats. There's one more ice cream cone coming, but we have the cookie monster, the cookies and cream, and look at this little mini donuts! 		
LISA HUMBER: Oh my God. 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: Lisa, can you believe that the company of Come In From Away will be back on stage in Toronto at the Royal Alexandra Theater in December 2021? 		
LISA HUMBER: I know! I am so excited. I cannot wait to see everyone. And in the meantime, the company has a few things they want to share with our audience. 		
JAMES KALL: Oh, hey. Hey, just seeing how much of the chairography I remember. I cannot wait to get back to telling this amazing story, and especially back to the Come From Kindness Initiative. That's what it's all about. OK. Back leg. Yello. [LAUGHS] Yeah, this is going to be easy. it's going to just go so quickly. Oh my God. 		
LORI NANCY KALAMANSKI: All pandemic long, it's just been me and my ukulele. I can't wait to hear the band again, be on stage with my castmates, and most of all see you, the audience. See you real soon. 		
C: I think one of the things I took for granted the most is that sense of purpose. Separating yourself from the work. It's really hard to do, especially with a show like this. So what I'm really looking forward to is that energy exchange with the audience and just knowing that I had a positive effect on someone's day through telling this story. So yeah, I'm looking forward to that. And also raiding Kaitlyn and Kate's candy drawer. 		
DAYNA TEKATCH: What I'm looking forward to the most aside from connecting, of course, with the company, and the crew, and the stage management, and the dressers, and the front of house staff, and all the people that work so hard to create these shows, but I'm really, really, really excited about connecting with the audience again. 		
And that is because I believe truly that art's the way back. , I believe that's where we heal, I believe it's how we learn, and unlearn, and relearn, and I believe that the more our society can jump into art as a way of recovering from a wildly disconnected isolating time, the better we're all going to be. 		
JOHN GRAY: Looking forward to the audiences. Audiences in a theater are irreplaceable. Also, stairs. The dressing rooms and offices are layered in a tower at the back of the stage, and I've missed climbing those stairs. 		
BOB FOSTER: Hi there. Bob Foster, here music director for Come From Away, Toronto. I am most looking forward to the last notes of Welcome to the Welcome to the Welcome to the Rock, the audience cheering, and the band rushing on stage for the playoff. 		
ELIZA JANE SCOTT: I'm looking forward to seeing you sitting in that chair right there. Not that one. You can't sit on that, lady. That one. Look right there. That one right there. 		
JEFF MADDEN: I am so excited about really all of it. Being back at work with an incredible group of artists and telling this beautiful true Canadian story to an audience full of people. I mean, there is really no substitute for a live performance, and I am so honored and privileged to be able to do it again. 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: Hey, Lisa. Guess what? 	TEXT ON SCREEN: @steffid5 @lisahumber
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LISA HUMBER: What. 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: It looks like our final episode of Check In From Away is finally coming to a close. 		
LISA HUMBER: What an incredible 20 months. It's been 38 episodes, and there are so many folks that made this possible. 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: OK, we have to thank first and foremost, our audience. Our viewers. Thank you so much for coming on this adventure with us. And please keep in touch on social media. We'd love to hear from you. 		
LISA HUMBER: And our guests, the stories, the laughs, the generosity that they shared with us. We couldn't have done it without you. 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: And, of course, obviously, Lisa. We have to thank Mirvish Productions. Thank you so much for letting us take over your YouTube channel during this global pandemic. 		
LISA HUMBER: And most importantly, Tristan, our editor. We could not have done it without you. Thank you for making us look so good week after week. 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: We love you so much, Tristan. Thank you so much. Stay safe. Can't wait to see you at the theater. Thanks for joining us on our final episode of Check In From Away. 		
LISA HUMBER: See you at the theater. Cheers! 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: Hmm. Lisa, I'm not sure what we should say next about one of the favorite moments of Check In From Away history that we've had. Any ideas? 		
LISA HUMBER: No, I'm really stumped. I mean, there's so many good memories. But I'm not quite sure about the next one. 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: Well, how about selling mugs on the Mirvish Productions website with our faces on them? And they were signed. 		
LISA HUMBER: Exactly. And you know what? I know they're selling on eBay for over $200 now, but if you go to the Mirvish website right now, you can get one for $5. 		
STEFFI DIDOMENICANTONIO: Come on. What a deal. Selling like hotcakes. Get yours today. 		
[MUSIC PLAYING] 	FINAL SLIDE
Check In From Away logo on the screen.
TEXT ON SCREEN: @checkaway @checkinfromaway
Small Twitter and Instagram logo next to each handle.