Des McAnuff

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Des McAnuff BIO

McAnuff is a two-time Tony Award-winning director and former Artistic Director of the Stratford Festival. Broadway: Summer, Doctor Zhivago, Jesus Christ Superstar, Guys and Dolls, Aaron Sorkin’s The Farnsworth Invention, Jersey Boys (Tony and Olivier Awards for Best Musical), Billy Crystal’s 700 Sundays (Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event), Dracula, the Musical, How to Succeed..., The Who’s Tommy (Tony and Olivier Awards for Best Director), A Walk in the Woods, Big River (Tony Awards for Best Director, Best Musical).
McAnuff is also Director Emeritus of La Jolla Playhouse, where during his tenure as Artistic Director, he staged more than 35 productions of classics, new plays, and musicals. Under his leadership, the Playhouse received the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theater.
Raised in Canada, he was a part of the Toronto alternative theatre scene in the 70s. While at Stratford, he directed multiple productions including A Word or Two, The Tempest, and Caesar and Cleopatra (all starring Christopher Plummer), Tommy, Jesus Christ Superstar, Twelfth Night (starring Brian Dennehy), ...Forum, As You Like It, Macbeth, and Romeo and Juliet.
In 2006, he received the prestigious Julia Hansen Award for Excellence in Directing and in 2011, he was honoured with a doctorate from Ryerson University where he attended the Theatre School. In 2012, he was awarded Canada’s esteemed Governor General’s National Arts Center Award and the Order of Canada.

Des McAnuff Photos

Des McAnuff Productions

 
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Bookwriter

Des McAnuff Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 2019 - Best Direction of a Musical

Des McAnuff, Ain't Too Proud: The Life and times of the Temptations

Olivier Awards - 2009 - Best Director

Des McAnuff, Jersey Boys


winner
Drama League Awards - 2006 - Founders Award for Excellence in Directing

Des McAnuff

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2006 - Outstanding Director of a Musical

Des McAnuff, Jersey Boys

Tony Awards - 2006 - Best Direction of a Musical

Des McAnuff, Jersey Boys


winner
Olivier Awards - 1997 - Best Director

Des McAnuff, Tommy

Tony Awards - 1995 - Best Direction of a Musical

Des McAnuff, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1993 - Best Director - Musical

Des McAnuff -, The Who's Tommy

Tony Awards - 1993 - Best Book of a Musical

Des McAnuff, The Who's Tommy


winner
Tony Awards - 1993 - Best Direction of a Musical

Des McAnuff, The Who's Tommy

Tony Awards - 1985 - Best Direction of a Musical

Des McAnuff, Big River

Drama Desk Awards - 1983 - Outstanding Lyrics

Des McAnuff, Death of Von Richtofen Witnessed from Earth

Drama Desk Awards - 1983 - Outstanding Music

Des McAnuff, Death of Von Richtofen Witnessed from Earth

Des McAnuff Videos

Des McAnuff News


THE WHO'S TOMMY to Perform on THE TONIGHT SHOW Next Week

The Who's Tommy is set to perform on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon next week. The Who’s Pete Townshend will sit down with Jimmy Fallon for an interview. The company will then perform a medley from the show. Find out more about the revival now!

Hershey Theatre Reveals 2024-25 Season Of Broadway

Hershey Theatre has announced a lineup of Broadway touring productions for the 2024-25 Series, including the venue's premier engagement of “HAMILTON” for a two-week run in The Sweetest Place On Earth.

Photos: Get a First Look at THE WHO'S TOMMY on Broadway

Get a first look at photos of The Who's Tommy on Broadway! Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.

MEAN GIRLS, DEAR EVAN HANSEN And More Announced For Shubert Theatre 2024-2025 Broadway Series

Shubert Theatre, has announced the lineup of shows for the theatre's 2024-2025 Broadway Series. The 5-Show Broadway Series begins October 24–27, 2024 with TINA – The Tina Turner Musical.

THE WHO'S TOMMY Cancels March 20 Matinee; Performances Resume This Evening

BroadwayWorld has just learned that Wednesday's preview performance of The Who's Tommy has been canceled due to illness in the company. Performances are set to resume tonight, March 20 at the Nederlander Theatre.

LES MISERABLES, THE CHER SHOW & More Set for 24-25 Broadway in South Bend Season

The 24–25 Season for the Morris Performing Arts Center has been revealed! See the lineup and learn how to purchase tickets.

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld March 14, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is March 14, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Video: Des McAnuff Is Back for Seconds with THE WHO'S TOMMY

In this video, watch as director Des McAnuff chats about bringing The Who's Tommy back to Broadway.

Video: Find Out Who's Who in THE WHO'S TOMMY on Broadway

In this video, watch as the full cast and creative team of The Who's Tommy open up about what audiences can expect from the much-anticipated revival.

Video: Meet the Cast Members Making Their Broadway Debuts in THE WHO'S TOMMY

Before heading to the arcade to meet the 'pinball wizard,' get to know which cast members are making their Broadway debuts in The Who’s TOMMY, which starts previews tonight at the Nederlander Theatre.

THE WHO'S TOMMY to Offer $40 Tickets Through Digital Lottery

The Broadway production of The Who’s TOMMY is launching a digital lottery! Learn how to purchase tickets.

Video: See the Cast of THE WHO'S TOMMY in the Recording Studio

Check out footage of the cast of The Who's Tommy in the recording studio! Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.

Photos: The Cast of THE WHO'S TOMMY Meets the Press

A newly reimagined production of The Who’s TOMMY is headed to Broadway, beginning previews performances next week. The cast and creative team recently met the press and BroadwayWorld was there for the big day. Check out photos here!

Chilina Kennedy and Constantine Maroulis Will Lead Reading of ALL THE RAGE Musical

A one-night-only reading of the musical All The Rage will be held as part of Spark Theatre Festival this March. The reading will star Broadway's Chilina Kennedy and Constantine Maroulis.

Video: Ali Louis Bourzgui Sings 'Pinball Wizard' From THE WHO'S TOMMY

Watch Ali Louis Bourzgui sing 'Pinball Wizard' from The Who's TOMMY! Learn more about the show coming to Broadway.

Jersey Boys Returns to the Las Vegas Stage in New Residency

​​​​​​​The international hit musical and Tony Award-winning show Jersey Boys is back in Las Vegas. This new residency at The Orleans Hotel and Casino will feature the set, style, and sensations that have made Jersey Boys a global musical phenomenon. The show runs from Wednesday to Monday and promises a memorable experience.

Meet the Cast of THE WHO'S TOMMY, Beginning Previews on Broadway Tonight!

The newly reimagined production of The Who’s TOMMY begins Broadway previews tonight, March 8, 2024 at the Nederlander Theatre, with opening night on March 28, 2024. Meet the cast of The Who's Tommy here!

Jamie Muscato to Join Eric McCormack, Rachel Tucker, and More In WILD ABOUT YOU Concert

Jamie Muscato will be joining Eric McCormack, Rachel Tucker, Oliver Tompsett, and Tori Allen-Martin in the new musical in concert Wild About You, which is making its World Premiere at Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Bart Shatto Joins FINDING HELENA Industry Presentation

Broadway alum, Bart Shatto, has joined the company of FINDING HELENA for its New York debut. Learn more about the industry presentation.

Up on the Marquee: THE WHO'S TOMMY

Check out new photos of the Broadway marquee for The Who's Tommy at the Nederlander Theatre.

Des McAnuff FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Des McAnuff written?

Des McAnuff has written 4 shows including Tommy (Bookwriter), How It All Began (Adaptation), The Death of Von Richtofen as Witnessed From Earth (Bookwriter), Summer: The Donna Summer Musical (Bookwriter).

What awards has Des McAnuff been nominated for?

Des McAnuff has been nominated for several prestigious awards throughout his career, including Best Direction of a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations," "Jersey Boys," "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," and "The Who's Tommy." He was also nominated for Best Director at the Olivier Awards for "Jersey Boys" and "Tommy." Additionally, McAnuff received the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing at the Drama League Awards. He won Outstanding Director of a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Jersey Boys" and "The Who's Tommy." McAnuff also won Best Book of a Musical at the Tony Awards for "The Who's Tommy" and was nominated for Best Direction of a Musical for "Big River." Furthermore, he won Outstanding Lyrics and Outstanding Music at the Drama Desk Awards for "Death of Von Richtofen Witnessed from Earth."

What awards has Des McAnuff won?

Des McAnuff has won the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing at the Drama League Awards, Best Director at the Olivier Awards for Tommy, Best Director - Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for The Who's Tommy, and Best Direction of a Musical at the Tony Awards for The Who's Tommy.

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