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 ...
(read complete bio)
|
Latest News on Des McAnuff
Photos
Stage Credits
Productions
Writing
Des McAnuff Biography
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 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 | ||
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 | ||
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 | ||
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 | ||
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 News

by Stephi Wild - Jan 22, 2023
Favorites like Hamilton, Wicked, Anastasia, and Beetlejuice have already announced planned stops around the country. Want to know what's on tour now, or coming soon to a theatre near you? Enjoy Broadway locally with BroadwayWorld's full list of Broadway National Tours in 2023.

by Blair Ingenthron - Jan 20, 2023
Broadway in Portland and the producers of the Broadway smash hit musical AIN'T TOO PROUD – THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS will welcome the show to Portland's Keller Auditorium from February 7 - 12.

by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 19, 2023
The First National Tour of AINT TOO PROUD-THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS is welcoming a new Otis Williams, Paul Williams, and additional cast. See how to purchase tickets!

by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 17, 2023
54 Below, Broadway’s Supper Club, will present “Northern Exposure” on Sunday, February 5, 2023 at 7:00PM.

by Stephi Wild - Jan 17, 2023
Single tickets for the twelve-time Tony nominated Broadway smash hit musical AIN'T TOO PROUD - THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS, went on sale Friday, January 13th at 10:30am.

by Aliya Al-Hassan - Jan 13, 2023
Winner of over 65 international awards, and seen by over 27m people worldwide, the Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning smash hit musical Jersey Boys has triumphantly returned to London’s West End, playing to nightly standing ovations.

by A.A. Cristi - Jan 12, 2023
Premera Blue Cross Broadway at The Paramount and the producers of the Broadway smash hit musical AIN'T TOO PROUD – THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS will welcome the show to Seattle's Paramount Theatre from January 24 through February 5.

by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 6, 2023
AIN'T TOO PROUD will play the Tulsa PAC April 4-9, 2023 for eight performances. Tickets will go on sale Friday, January 13th at 10:30am.

by E.H. Reiter - Jan 5, 2023
It seems appropriate that the musical AIN’T TOO PROUD - THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS, like the band its story tells, is consistently entertaining, and full of impressive musical performances. Playing through January 8th at the San Diego Civic Theatre by Broadway San Diego.

by Evan Henerson - Dec 22, 2022
Watching the mega-blast that is AIN’T TOO PROUD, the musical written by Dominick Morisseau based on the group’s history, this critic wanted nothing more than to be able to move like the members of Des McAnuff’s cast even for five minutes.
Des McAnuff Videos


by BroadwayWorld TV - Mar 29, 2022
On April 9 (7pm), join Tony Award Nominee Josh Young and his wife, Broadway Star Emily Padgett at the Green Room 42, as they celebrate the decade that gave us Les Miserables, Phantom of The Opera and Cats - the decade where Stephen Sondheim and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber reached the pinnacle of their creative mastery: the 1980’s.


by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 24, 2022
JERSEY BOYS Off-Broadway released a behind-the-scenes video celebrating the show’s return to live performances.


by BroadwayWorld TV - Jan 9, 2022
The Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award winning musical Jersey Boys celebrates its 1000th performance at New York City’s New World Stages today, Sunday, January 9, 2022.


by Michael Major - Dec 16, 2021
The cast of Ain't Too Proud took to the stage at the Kennedy Center Honors to honor Berry Gordy. The cast, consisting of Nik Walker, James Harkness, Jawan M. Jackson, Matt Manuel, and Jelani Remy, performed 'I'm Gonna Make You Love Me' and 'Ain't Too Proud to Beg'. Watch an exclusive clip of the performance now!


by BroadwayWorld TV - Dec 1, 2021
The West End cast of Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning smash hit musical JERSEY BOYS sang the Tik Tok sensation and classic The Four Seasons track Beggin' on the roof of the Trafalgar Theatre in London, where it is currently running, booking until 1 May 2022.


by BroadwayWorld TV - Oct 29, 2021
Grammy Award-winning superstar John Legend and producing partner Mike Jackson paid a visit to the cast and creative team of the Broadway company of the Tony Award-winning Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations!


by Michael Major - Oct 18, 2021
The cast performed a medley of Temptations hits, including “Get Ready,” “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” and “I Can’t Get Next to You.” Watch the full performance now!


by BroadwayWorld TV - Aug 27, 2021
It's not just your imagination! Broadway is coming back and so are the Temptations! Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations, the Tony Award-winning musical is getting ready to resume Broadway performances on October 16 at the Imperial Theatre (249 West 45th Street).


by BroadwayWorld TV - Jul 21, 2021
Jersey Boys opens at London's Trafalgar Theatre on 10 August, with previews from 28 July. Learn more about the production and how to purchase tickets here!


by BroadwayWorld TV - Jul 16, 2021
The cast is led by Ben Joyce as Frankie Valli, Adam Bailey as Bob Gaudio, Benjamin Yates as Tommy De Vito and Karl James Wilson as Nick Massi. Learn more about the production and how to purchase tickets here!