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Drew Anthony (born 14 January 1969[citation needed]) is an Australian performer, director, choreographer, and producer. He has directed productions including Grease, Chicago, Strictly Ballroom, The Wedding Singer, and Saturday Night Fever. Other works include 42nd Street at Limelight Theatre and The Boy From Oz at The Empire Theatre. In 2021, he directed and choreographed The Boy From Oz at Crown Theatre.
Drew Anthony | |
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| Born | 14 January 1969 Mackay, Queensland, Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Director, choreographer, producer, actor, presenter |
| Years active | 1984–present |
| Children | 3 |
Early life
editAnthony was born in Mackay, Queensland, and raised on the Gold Coast.[1] His mother, Kay, ran a performing arts school, and his father, Bryan, worked for the Queensland Tourist Bureau in Coolangatta. He began dance lessons at age four and performed in musicals for the local Spotlight Theatre Company while attending Currumbin State Primary School and Palm Beach Currumbin State High.
In 1984, Anthony gained recognition by winning the Fred Astaire International Jazz and Tap Championship in New York City in both tap and jazz categories for his age group.[1]
Career
editAnthony began his career performing in concerts, corporate shows, and local theatre restaurants. At 16, he joined Regmat Productions as a dancer at Wrest Point Hotel Casino. Shortly after, he was cast in the Australian tour of Me and My Girl.
Anthony was later cast in several Australian musical theatre productions, including Cats, Rasputin, 42nd Street, and Hot Shoe Shuffle. He appeared on television shows such as Midday, Good Morning Australia, and Mornings with Kerri-Anne. In 2006, he worked on the feature film Happy Feet.
As a choreographer, Anthony worked on productions such as The Boy From Oz, Jolson, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, and Jailhouse Rock: The Musical. He also choreographed Orpheus in the Underworld for Opera Australia and other shows for Rhonda Burchmore and Rachael Beck.
Anthony has directed various productions through his company, Drew Anthony Creative, including Grease, Chicago, 42nd Street, Strictly Ballroom, A Chorus Line, Saturday Night Fever, and The Wedding Singer. He has also directed productions like The Boy From Oz, High School Musical, Carlotta's KingsX, and A Very PBC Christmas.
He served as Associate Director for the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics closing ceremony, the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, and the 2010 Winter Olympics opening and closing ceremonies in Vancouver.[2] He has directed events such as the NRL State of Origin, the World Handball Championship, and the Olivia Newton-John and Friends charity gala in Sydney.[3]
In 2008, Anthony organized and directed A Musical Send Off, a concert benefiting the Australian Paralympic Team, which raised over $100,000.[4]
References
edit- ^ a b Daily News/Gold Coaster 28 July 1984
- ^ Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music Archived 22 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Olivia to sparkle once again". 17 September 2008.
- ^ Latest Theatre News Archived 20 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine