Switcheroo – Warlow leaves Aussie Annie tour for Broadway season

It was announced yesterday that Anthony Warlow, one of Australia’s leading music theatre performers, has been offered the role of Oliver ‘Daddy’ Warbucks in the new revival of Annie The Musical on Broadway.

Unfortunately for Australian audiences, Warlow (who is currently playing Warbucks in John Frost’s Australian revival of Annie) will conclude his run in the Australian tour on Sunday 5 August before transferring to New York for rehearsals ahead of previews in October.

The Australian production will continue to Perth after it concludes its 12 week run at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre, and Warlow’s replacement will be named in the coming weeks.

Producer John Frost is thrilled for his close friend and colleague and has wished him well in his Broadway endeavours.

“I’m so glad that finally Broadway audiences will be able to experience the Warlow magic. Anthony has proved, both in the 2000 Australian production and again in the current tour, that he is the definitive Daddy Warbucks of our time. It is so apt and exciting that it is Annie and one of his favourite roles that takes Anthony to Broadway for the first time. I am overjoyed for him, and wish him well.”

Anthony Warlow’s music theatre career commenced in  in 1985 with the London National Theatre production of Guys & Dolls. He then went on to create the role of Enjolras in the Australian production of Les Miserables, winning him a place on the International Cast recording. He made the most coveted role in music theatre his own in the 1990 and 2007-2009 productions of The Phantom of the Opera and was elected a Living National Treasure by the National Trust.

In 2011 he created the role of Dr Yurii Zhivago in the Australian premiere production of the musical Doctor Zhivago, based on the Nobel Prize winning novel by Boris Pasternak and he helped celebrate the 25th Anniversary of The Phantom of the Opera in a special guest performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

The Tony Award-winning classic musical Annie opens November 8 at the Palace Theatre on Broadway in New York, with previews from October 3. Playing opposite Warlow in the new production will be two-time Tony Award winner Katie Finneran (Promises, Promises, Noises Off) as Miss Hannigan.

Venue: Regent Theatre, Collins Street, Melbourne

Performance Times: Wed–Sat 8pm, Matinees Tues & Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm & Sunday 3pm

Price: $50.90 – $110.90

Bookings: 1300 111 011 or ticketmaster.com.au

Groups of 12 or more 1300 788 227