Des McAnuff
Latest News on 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.
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Productions
Writing
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Des McAnuff
Connection
Awards and Nominations
Des McAnuff, The Who’s Tommy
Des McAnuff, Ain't Too Proud: The Life and times of the Temptations
Des McAnuff, Jersey Boys
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Des McAnuff
Des McAnuff, Jersey Boys
Des McAnuff, Jersey Boys
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Des McAnuff, Tommy
Des McAnuff, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
winner
Des McAnuff -, The Who's Tommy
Des McAnuff, The Who's Tommy
winner
Des McAnuff, The Who's Tommy
Des McAnuff, Big River
Des McAnuff, Death of Von Richtofen Witnessed from Earth
Des McAnuff, Death of Von Richtofen Witnessed from Earth
Videos
Video: First Look at the 20th Anniversary UK and Ireland tour of JERSEY BOYS
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2026-08-12 15:37:44
Video: Murin and Grant Perform 'Jackson' from THE BALLAD OF JOHNNY AND JUNE at La Jolla
by Blair Ingenthron - 2024-06-09 14:43:00
Video: What it's like playing Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash in The Ballad of Johnny and June
by Joshua Wright - 2024-05-29 10:09:01
Video: Go Inside Rehearsals for La Jolla Playhouse's THE BALLAD OF JOHNNY AND JUNE
by Joshua Wright - 2024-05-21 13:51:00
Video: Ali Louis Bourzgui Sings 'I'm Free' from THE WHO'S TOMMY in the Recording Studio
by Blair Ingenthron - 2024-04-28 13:47:04
Video: Music Director & Conductor Alan Everman on La Mirada's JERSEY BOYS
by Joshua Wright - 2024-04-18 10:36:52
Video: Go Inside Rehearsals of JERSEY BOYS at La Mirada Theatre
by Joshua Wright - 2024-04-11 15:45:10
Video: Ali Louis Bourzgui Talks Making His Broadway Debut in THE WHO'S TOMMY
by Blair Ingenthron - 2024-04-06 14:54:23
Video: Cast and Creative Team Talk THE WHO'S TOMMY on CBS Sunday Morning
by Blair Ingenthron - 2024-03-31 12:49:08
Video: Watch Ali Louis Bourzgui Record 'See Me, Feel Me' from THE WHO'S TOMMY
by Blair Ingenthron - 2024-03-30 12:21:34
Video: The Company of THE WHO'S TOMMY Celebrates Opening Night
by Nicole Rosky - 2024-03-29 14:13:21
Video: Watch THE WHO'S TOMMY Perform 'Pinball Wizard,' 'See Me, Feel Me' & More
by Michael Major - 2024-03-27 09:21:57
Video: Des McAnuff Is Back for Seconds with THE WHO'S TOMMY
by Backstage Live with Richard Ridge - 2024-03-13 15:22:52
News
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 14, 2026
Tickets for t he original Tony & Olivier Award-winning musical sensation, Jersey Boys in Chciago, are now on sale. The engagement will play Broadway In Chicago’s CIBC Theatre for a limited two-week engagement.
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 13, 2026
Complete casting has been announced for the JERSEY BOYS 20th Anniversary North American Tour, which will play Shea's Buffalo Theatre for eight performances May 18 through May 23, 2027.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 12, 2026
You can now get a first look at footage of the 20th Anniversary UK & Ireland tour of the original Tony and Olivier award-winning musical Jersey Boys. The tour will run into 2027.
by Natalie O'Donoghue - Aug 14, 2026
From the director of Jersey Boys, this exhilarating production charts the highs and lows of Johnny and June’s extraordinary relationship. A story of devotion, temptation, resilience and redemption, it captures the whirlwind romance that saw them endure personal struggles, professional triumphs and the pressures of life in the spotlight, emerging as one of music’s most enduring partnerships.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 10, 2026
Jersey Boys reveals its full 20th Anniversary tour cast, kicking off in Syracuse before hitting Chicago, Denver, LA, San Francisco and more.
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 5, 2026
Mix & Match Productions presented Andrew Lippa: New Songs, New Stories, an intimate evening with one of musical theater's most celebrated writers, at Greenwich House Theater. He was joined by special guests Kate Baldwin and Jordan Fisher, who performed songs spanning Lippa’s career, sharing the stories, inspirations, and moments behind the music along the way. New Yorker writer Adam Gopnik joined in for a conversation about his creative process and a preview of his newest musical, Fairy Tale. BroadwayWorld is very excited to bring you exclusive photos from inside the big night!
by Natalie O'Donoghue - Jul 22, 2026
This thrilling new musical from the director of Jersey Boys celebrates the love, music and mayhem of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. Featuring barnstorming performances and electrifying chemistry from Christopher Ryan Grant (Million Dollar Quartet) and Christina Bianco (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Wizard of Oz), this is Johnny and June like you’ve never seen them before.
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 20, 2026
Broadway In Chicago announced four new shows joining its free summer concert lineup at Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, including THE WHO'S TOMMY, THE BODYGUARD, DISNEY'S THE LION KING, and HEATHERS THE MUSICAL.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 17, 2026
The complete cast has been revealed for the North American tour of The Who's TOMMY, featuring Collin Matthew Flanagan as ‘Tommy Walker’, Zach Fogel as ‘Captain Walker’, and Mia Bergstrom as ‘Mrs. Walker’.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 9, 2026
The Tony and Olivier Award-winning musical Jersey Boys will return to Midland Center for the Arts for five performances as part of a multi-city North American Tour marking its 20th Anniversary.
by Stephi Wild - Jun 24, 2026
All new production photos have been released from the 20th Anniversary UK and Ireland tour of the original Tony and Olivier award-winning musical JERSEY BOYS which opened at New Wimbledon Theatre in June. Check out the photos here!
by Stephi Wild - Jun 17, 2026
Ian McRae's PAINTED PONIES, directed by Elina de Santos, will receive its world premiere on the Audre Stage at Ruskin Group Theatre Arts Center in Santa Monica, starring Rachel Sorsa as a mother reckoning with past mistakes.
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 9, 2026
The Tony and Olivier Award-winning musical JERSEY BOYS will bring its 20th Anniversary North American Tour to Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville, with casting to be announced at a later date.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 28, 2026
Tickets are on sale for The Who's Tommy this week at Playhouse Square's Connor Palace in Cleveland, featuring original creators Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff's Tony-nominated revival.
by Stephi Wild - May 11, 2026
The full cast has been announced for the 20th anniversary UK and Ireland tour of JERSEY BOYS, led by Luke Baker as Frankie Valli, with the production opening at New Wimbledon Theatre and booking through 2027.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 28, 2026
The Muny announced the lead cast for its upcoming production of SOUTH PACIFIC, starring Paulo Szot and Taylor Louderman alongside ten additional performers at the outdoor theatre in Forest Park.
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 24, 2026
McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert announced its 2026-27 season, featuring Broadway productions including & JULIET, THE WIZ, and MAMMA MIA!, alongside concerts with Idina Menzel, Patti LuPone, and Audra McDonald, plus dance, comedy, and community events.
by Bruce Glikas - Apr 24, 2026
The Rocky Horror Show official is officially open on Broadway at Studio 54! You can now see photos of the film's original star Susan Sarandon, stars like Laverne Cox, and more at the opening night of the show here!
by Adela González Pérez - Mar 26, 2026
El director explicó su proceso de trabajo con Jonathan Larson y animó a los estudiantes a crear sus propias oportunidades en la industria
by Stephi Wild - Mar 19, 2026
Performances are now underway for Lindsey Ferrentino’s new play, The Fear of 13, starring two-time Academy Award winner Adrien Brody and Golden Globe Award nominee Tessa Thompson. Meet the cast here!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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).
Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Drama League Awards) for The Who’s Tommy, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Ain't Too Proud: The Life and times of the Temptations, Best Director (Olivier Awards) for Jersey Boys, Founders Award for Excellence in Directing (Drama League Awards), Outstanding Director of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Jersey Boys, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Jersey Boys, Best Director (Olivier Awards) for Tommy , Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Best Director - Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Who's Tommy , Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Who's Tommy, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Who's Tommy, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Big River, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Death of Von Richtofen Witnessed from Earth and Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Death of Von Richtofen Witnessed from Earth.
Des McAnuff has won several prestigious awards, including the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing from 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.
