Des McAnuff
DES McANUFF is a two-time Tony Award-winning director. McAnuff served as artistic director of La Jolla Playhouse from its 1983 rebirth through 1994, during which time he directed 21 productions, including musicals and contemporary and classic plays. Under his leadership, the Playhouse won more than 200 theatre awards, including the 1993 Tony Award as America's Outstanding Regional Theatre. McAnuff returned as artistic director of the Playhouse in 2001. Productions directed by McAnuff during his first tenure at the Playhouse include How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Playhouse 1994, Broadway 1995, five Tony Award nominations), The Who's Tommy (director as well as co-author with Pete Townshend; Playhouse 1992, Broadway 1993, Tony Award Best Director of a Musical, London Olivier Award Best Director 1994), A Walk in the Woods (Playhouse 1987, Broadway 1988, Moscow and Lithuania 1989-90) and Big River (Playhouse 1984, Broadway 1985, seven Tony Awards including Best Director of a Musical and Best Musical). Recent productions directed at the Playhouse include Billy Crystal: 700 Sundays (2004); Jersey Boys (2004); Tom Donaghy's Eden Lane (2003); Moliere's Tartuffe (2002), starring Jefferson Mays; Dracula, The Musical (2001); and Michael Ondaatje's The Collected Works of Billy the Kid (2001), for which he also composed the score. In 2003, McAnuff directed the multimedia extravaganza Sinatra: His Voice. His World. His Way. at Radio City Music Hall. McAnuff's first feature film was 1998's Cousin Bette, starring Jessica Lange. In 1999, he produced the critically acclaimed Warner Bros. film Iron Giant, which went on to win nine 1999 Annie Awards from the International Animation Society and a 1999 BAFTA Award from the British Academy. In 2001, McAnuff directed The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle, starring Robert DeNiro, Jason Alexander and Rene Russo. He also served as executive producer for Quills, which was named Best Picture by the National Board of Review. His production of Dracula, The Musical opened on Broadway in August 2004. Bio as of September, 2006. American Theatre Wing programs, interviews and/or credits include: Downstage Center (audio) Des McAnuff - December, 2004 - Listen Now. SDCF Masters of the Stage (audio) Des McAnuff - February, 1994 - Listen Now. Internet Broadway Database Listing (IBDB.com)