Cast
Anthony Warlow
Anthony has forged an enviable reputation on the operatic and commercial theatre stage. He made his debut with the Australian Opera aged 19 as a guest artist in Benjamin Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. He was awarded the Joan Sutherland Scholarship and asked to prepare the role Papageno in Mozart’s The Magic Flute which he performed in 1984 to critical acclaim. He remained with the company as a principal artist and his repertoire included roles in La Boheme, Tosca, Otello, The Tales of Hoffman (with Dame Joan Sutherland), Romeo & Juliet, La Fanciulla del West and Don Giovanni. 1987 saw his return to The Australian Opera after success in Guys and Dolls and his one man show A Song to Sing O, for a season of Countess Maritza as well as his signing to play the role of Enjolras in the Australian production of Les Miserables directed by Trevor Nunn. His performance is featured on the Grammy Award winning international Cast Recording of the production.
In 1990 Anthony was chosen by Hal Prince to play the role of the Phantom in Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera, his portrayal of which earned him several industry awards. In 1991 he was the recipient of the prestigious Advance Australia award for contribution to Music Theatre. The following years saw Anthony battle lymphoma, record successful albums and receive a myriad of industry awards, as well as perform in his national sell-out tour Back in the Swing.
In 1993 he was invited to play the role of Henry Higgins in the Victoria State Opera’s production of My Fair Lady, a sell-out season for the company and a role he has enjoyed performing in several seasons around the country. Anthony made a long awaited return to The Australian Opera in 1995 in Gilbert & Sullivan’s operetta Patience. Later that year he went on to star in the multi-award winning musical The Secret Garden produced by John Frost. In 1996 he released The Best of Act One, a compilation of his recordings to date which achieved platinum status, and performed with Sarah Brightman in The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber throughout Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Hong Kong. This was followed by his debut solo tour of Japan. In 1997 Anthony returned to the role of Henry Higgins at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre. With the newly formed Opera Australia, he revived his role of Eisenstein in a new production of Strauss’s Die Fledermaus. In 1998, Anthony was honoured by the nation and the National Trust, being elected Living National Treasure.
He starred in the smash hit Australian tour of Grease - The Arena Spectacular, receiving critical acclaim for his portrayal of Teen Angel. Anthony recorded his two show-stopping hits from Grease on his Skylark Records label, with the proceeds of the CD donated to The Sydney Cancer Centre and The Heart Research Institute. Anthony joined Olivia Newton-John and John Farnham in The Main Event, which outsold all international acts in Australia in 1998 and produced a #1 album.
In 1999, Anthony returned to opera as Papageno in Opera Australia’s The Magic Flute, and in 2000 starred as Daddy Warbucks in the hit musical Annie. A new song, Why Should I Change a Thing, was written for him creating music theatre history and changing Annie forever. 2002 saw Anthony performing the dual roles of Cervantes & Don Quixote to critical acclaim in the Australian production of Man of La Mancha. The following year he returned to the recording studio to produce his first solo album in ten years – Face The Music, a celebration of Big Band Swing from the 50’s & 60’s. He has also produced a narrated work based on Paul Gallico’s classic tale The Snow Goose with the London Symphony Orchestra. In 2004 Anthony joined Lesley Garrett for the 20th anniversary celebrations at Leeuwin Estate as well as revisiting Opera Australia for their Melbourne season of G&S’s Mikado.
In 2005 Anthony returned to the world of Gilbert & Sullivan with Opera Australia, performing in two new productions of HMS Pinafore and Trial by Jury, then in 2006, placing his inimitable stamp on G&S’s Pirate King in a new production of The Pirates of Penzance. In 2007 he recreated his critically acclaimed performance of the Phantom in Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of The Opera. He donned the mask for over two years and his performances were acclaimed both critically and publicly. He returned to the Opera this year in his first Sondheim musical, A Little Night Music and will finish the year with a healthy serving of piratical romping once more as the Pirate King.
Most recently Anthony created the title role in the World Premiere of a new musical by Lucy Simon, Doctor Zhivago.
Nancye Hayes OAM
Nancye Hayes OAM is one of Australia’s favourite theatrical stars. Her career began in the original Australian production of My Fair Lady in 1961 and continues to garner praise and accolades to the present day.
Nancye was catapulted to stardom playing the role of Charity Hope Valentine in the 1966 Australian Production of Sweet Charity. Since then highlights of Nancye’s achievements have included major roles in Annie, Chicago, Guys and Dolls, Sweeney Todd, Nine, 42nd Street, and Show Boat. The cavalcade of Nancye’s outstanding work in the musical and non-musical theatre include performances in How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Hello Dolly, Boys From Syracuse, Promises Promises, Star Spangled Girl, Born Yesterday, The Glass Menagerie, Steel Magnolias, Same Time Next Year and appearances in a range of major television series.
An accomplished cabaret artist, Nancye has appeared in concert and cabaret with the West Australian Symphony, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and at the Regent Hotel (Sydney). Her one-woman auto-biographical show Nancye with an E written by Tony Sheldon has been performed across Australia.
Always ready to explore new challenges it was inevitable Nancye would step behind-the-scenes; she regularly directs or choreographs mainstream theatre productions in all states including Here Comes Showtime! (Marian Street Theatre); My Fair Lady (IMG/VSO); and for Sydney Theatre Company Merrily We Roll Along, Noel & Gertie, The Venetian Twins and Falsetto’s. Nancye has also been an Artist-in-Residence or Director for every tertiary performing arts course in the country.
In recent times Nancye has been seen in Eureka, Summer Rain, Metro Street, and toured Australia extensively with Todd McKenney in the CDP/Ensemble Theatre production of Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks. This was followed by engagements with Opera Australia in My Fair Lady and A Little Night Music in both Melbourne and Sydney, and the play Murders for the Ensemble Theatre
Amongst her many awards are a Green Room Award; Norman Kessell Memorial Award; three Lifetime Achievement Awards (Sydney Theatre Critics, Variety Club and Green Room); a Critics Circle Award; and a MO Award. In 2010, Nancye directed Todd McKenney in The Boy from Oz for the Production Company, and is currently on tour with Reg Livermore in the production Turns. Later this year, Nancye will appear in the musical Grey Gardens for the Production Company.
Todd McKenney
Inspiring, provocative, compelling radio host, film actor, musical theatre performer, television personality, Todd McKenney knows showbiz from every angle. Todd has worked across stage, screen, television and radio.
Since 2004, Todd has enjoyed his role as a judge on Channel 7’s immensely popular Dancing with the Stars. He has also hosted Channel 7’s National Spelling Bee and been a guest presenter on The Morning Show with Kylie Gillies.
Todd has represented Australia in ballroom and Latin American dancing, winning many international dancing titles - perfect training for his role as Nathan Starkey in Baz Luhrmann's internationally acclaimed film Strictly Ballroom.
He was cast in his first professional musical, Andrew Lloyd Webber's Song and Dance in 1983. From here Todd's career has followed a very neat trajectory. From chorus roles in shows like Born Yesterday for The Sydney Theatre Company, Pirates of Penzance and Camelot, he moved on to small roles like Phaedra in La Cage Aux Folles and Tumblebrutus and Rum Tum Tugger in Cats during its Melbourne season. He then landed lead roles in 42nd Street (Billy Lawlor) and West Side Story (Riff). The role of Emcee in Cabaret was a huge success for Todd. In Crazy for You he proved he had what it takes to become a star when he took over the lead role from American actor Jim Walton, who broke his leg on opening night, with only one days notice.
After landing the prized role of Peter Allen in the critically acclaimed Australian hit The Boy from Oz, Todd played the role for 766 performances. It was for his portrayal as Peter that Todd received two Mo Awards, the Variety Club Heart Award, the Glugg Award, the Green Room Award, the Australian Dance Award and two Helpmann Awards. Todd also won the 2005 Mo Award in the Versatile Variety Performer of the Year category.
Singin' In The Rain was a huge opportunity to see Todd at his dancing best as he recreated Gene Kelly's original choreography on stage. Todd received a further Australian Dance Award for his performance. Todd then starred opposite stage legend Nancye Hayes in The Ensemble Theatre's production of the play Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks which toured Australia in 2007 to huge critical acclaim.
Whilst balancing his roles as breakfast radio host for Sydney radio station Mix 106.5 and judge on Dancing With The Stars Todd starred in the musical hit Priscilla Queen Of The Desert for which he received rave reviews and another Helpmann and Sydney Theatre Award nomination. Last year Todd reprised his role as Peter Allen in The Production Company’s new production of The Boy From Oz, which toured Australia and was critically acclaimed.
In addition for the past three years he has been studying ‘Auslan’ sign language and works within the deaf community all around Australia. He has also recently joined ‘The Diamond Ball Committee’ for the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia and hopes to help the CCIA to raise much needed funds to help research and fight childhood cancer.
Chloe Dallimore
Chloe Dallimore is probably best known for her portrayal of Ulla, the Swedish blonde bombshell in The Producers-The New Mel Brooks Musical which won her five awards, including the 2005 Helpmann Award.
Melbourne-born Chloe trained in classical ballet from an early age. After completing her formal schooling, she traveled to London to accept the Cameron Mackintosh Scholarship to study Theatre Dance performance at London Studio Centre. Upon graduation she won the Dame Anna Neagle award for most outstanding achievement.
Chloe returned to Australia as an original cast member of Crazy For You and since then her musical theatre credits include Chicago, Sweet Charity, Annie, Wizard Of Oz, Shout! and Oliver!. She also danced in Pearl, choreographed by Meryl Tankard for the 30th Anniversary of the Sydney Opera House, performed in the opening and closing ceremonies of the Sydney 2000 Olympics, and was a featured artist in The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber in Shanghai and Beijing. Chloe was honoured to sing the National Anthem at the 2006 Bledisloe Cup and was invited by the Australian Consulate in New York City, to perform at the Opening Gala of G'Day USA at the American History Museum, New York, the same year.
Recent appearances include the title role in Thoroughly Modern Millie (The Production Company), Irene in Crazy For You (TPC), Broadway Showstoppers with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Chloe Dallimore’s Magic of Musicals at Taronga Zoo Twilight Series 2009, Showstoppers with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra 2009, Amy in Company (Kookaburra), Helga in Allo,Allo (Twelfth Night Theatre) and The Spirit of Christmas with the Queensland Symphony.
Chloe has been a television regular on GMA with Bert Newton, Mornings With Kerri-Anne, Spicks and Specks, Sunrise, Carols in the Domain, and can be seen in George Miller’s feature movie Happy Feet. Chloe’s corporate act, “Cheek to Cheek”, with PJ Lane, son of the legendary entertainer Don Lane, is in popular demand on the corporate and club scene.
Chloe was the Deputy Associate Choreographer of Billy Elliot The Musical (Australia and Korea) in 2009-10 and starred in Patrick Suskind’s one-person play, The Double Bass at the Sydney Fringe Festival 2010.
Julie Goodwin
Currently playing the title role in Sydney Chamber Opera’s The Cunning Little Vixen, Julie starred as Maria on the national tour of West Side Story.
In 2010, Julie was invited to perform at the prestigious Carols By Candlelight at The Myer Music Bowl with Michael Cormick on the Nine Network. She has released her debut album “Love Went a-Riding” for Skylark Classics, featuring Art Songs in English with Sharolyn Kimmorley on piano.
Julie made her theatrical debut in 2007 with the role of Christine Daae (alternate) in the Australiasian tour of The Phantom of the Opera starring Anthony Warlow.
She has performed for the momentous ‘Men of League Gala Dinner’, celebrating 50 years of Rugby League and has performed the National Anthem for various events including the Australian Youth Olympics Festival, The Australia Day Spectacular in Darling Harbour. Julie has performed at a number of large charity events including the ‘Royal Hospital for Women Gala Dinner’, ‘Day of Difference Gala Dinner’, ‘All that Jazz for Sad Kids” and ‘A Musical Tribute to the Royal Flying Doctors Service’. Julie has been a featured soloist in both the 2005 and 2006 Schools Spectacular live Performances and the ABC TV broadcasts.
She graduated from the Sydney Conservatorium High School in 2005 and was selected to perform in ‘Encore’ at the Sydney Opera House. She was awarded a merit scholarship to the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where she has been studying with Dr Rowena Cowley. Julie is also a graduate of the prestigious Talent Development Project (2006). Further accolades include the 4MBS Classic FM Outstanding Student Award (2003), an Australian Young Citizen Award (Beaudesert, QLD, 2002), and a scholarship from the Youth and Tourism Foundation for Young Australians (2006/07).
Alan Jones AO
Alan Jones is a graduate of Queensland and Oxford Universities, with majors in English and French Language and Literature, Politics and Education.
He has University Blues from both Queensland and Oxford in tennis and for three years, he was speech writer and senior adviser to the then Prime Minister, Right Honourable Malcolm Fraser.
Alan was elected Australian Rugby Union Coach in 1984 and coached Australia, until early 1988, to 89 victories in 102 matches. His teams won 23 Tests out of 30, and four of those losses were by only a point. In 1984, he coached Australia’s national team, the Wallabies, to their now-famous Grand Slam with victories over England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland and a Barbarian side made up of the best players of those countries and France. During this tour, one British newspaper described Alan Jones as “the most approachable and articulate Rugby person to visit Britain in the last 40 years”. The London Times’ sports writer stated that Alan “has the most analytical brain I have encountered in charge of a national side”.
After returning to Australia from the triumphant tour, Alan was invited to deliver the Australia Day Address as Guest of Honour of the Australia Day Council at the National Press Club in Canberra and, in October 1985, he was awarded the Rostrum Speakers’ Award as the Communicator of the Year.
Alan is regarded by many as one of Australia’s most gifted public speakers.
In December 1985, Alan was selected by the Confederation of Australian Sport as Australia’s Coach of the Year. In 1986, Alan coached the Wallabies to Australia’s now famous Bledisloe Cup victory in New Zealand, the first time such a victory had been achieved in 39 years. The 1986 Wallabies remain only the second team in rugby history to win a series against New Zealand on their home ground.
On Australia Day in 1988, Alan Jones was appointed a Member of the General Division of the Order of Australia (A.M.) for services to Rugby Union Football. From August 1990 to August 1993, Alan Jones coached, without a fee, the Balmain Rugby League side in the Sydney Winfield Cup Competition. In August 1993, he was appointed, without a fee, Director of Football for the South Sydney Rugby League Football Club.
In March 1985, Alan Jones was recruited to join Radio 2UE as their morning radio host and quickly established himself in the competitive world of Sydney radio. In March 1988, he moved to the breakfast shift and soon won the largest breakfast audience and the largest radio audience in Australia. When he did not renew his contract at the end of 2001, Alan Jones had set what some think to be a world record in radio, namely 79 consecutive survey victories, equivalent to winning his shift, easily, for more than ten years.
Alan Jones then joined the Macquarie Radio Network on Radio 2GB 873 in the breakfast slot and returned 2GB to the No.1 radio station in the Sydney market and has, yet again, been recognised by his peers as the No.1 talk personality and current affairs personality in Australian radio. Alan has won in excess of 160 surveys, 99 of them consecutive.
In 2003, Alan Jones was awarded the inaugural Sir Roden Cutler Medal, commemorating the memory of the former distinguished soldier and New South Wales Governor, Sir Roden Cutler, for his services to charity. In June 2005 Alan was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (A.O.) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for service to the community as a supporter of and fundraiser for a wide range of not-for-profit organisations, to the media, and to sports administration.
Alan Jones is former Deputy Chairman of the Australian Sports Commission and Deputy Chairman of the New South Wales Institute of Sport.
Alan Jones appeared daily for 20 years until June 2007 making editorial comment on the Channel Nine Today Show.
John Frost, PowerArts, QPAC and Two Left Feet Productions