The role of Monsieur Andre marks Tony's 7th appearance with Free-Rain. Previous roles for the company include Loparkin in The Cherry Orchard (2003), Deputy Governor Danforth in The Crucible (2004), Frank Stark in Rebel Without a Cause (2008), Nicely Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls (2009), Ali Hakim in Oklahoma (2011) and more recently as the evil red-neck father Bob Ewell in the play To Kill a Mockingbird (2012), for which Tony was nominated for a Canberra Area Theatre (CAT) Award as Best Actor in a Featured Role.
At the end of 2009 Tony appeared for Canberra Repertory as Dr Hubert Bonney in the English play It Runs in the Family, for which he was awarded the Helen Wilson Trophy for best comedy performance of the year and the CAT Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.
Tony has continued his passion for musical theatre and, apart from his current role as Monsieur Andre, his other favourite roles to date include Thenardier in Les Misérables (1994/96), Sir Joseph Porter in HMS Pinafore (1995), Fagin in Oliver (2002), Bruce Ismay in Titanic, the Musical (2004), Gus the Theatre Cat in Cats (2007) and Roger DeBris in The Producers (2007). The roles of Bruce Ismay and Roger de Bris also earned Tony CAT Award nominations.
Tony has also worked professionally in theatre restaurant, feature films, corporate videos and television commercials. And if you look closely, Tony can be seen as a Mexican (with a large Mexican sombrero) cheering on a race in the Australian movie Phar Lap.
View My Personal BioTony was born in Tawonga, Victoria. His parents immigrated from Spain and he is related to the 20th century composer Manuel de Falla through his paternal grandmother.
Tony is known for his versatility and ability to adapt to different characters in both plays and musicals. Examples range from the romantic lead Woody Mahoney in Finian's Rainbow, to the despicable innkeeper Theanardier in Les Miserbales, to opera singer Don Geronimo in Il Matrimonio Segreto, to a singing Hitler in The Producers as Roger de Bris, to old theatre cat Gus in CATS, to the self-rightous Deputy Governor Danforth in The Crucible, to the mentally challeged Henry in Cosi, and as the tap dancing seagull Scuttle in The Little Mermaid (his tap dance debut).
Favorite musical roles include Thenardier in Les Miserables (1994/96), Sir Joseph Porter in HMS Pinafore (1995), Fagin in Oliver (2002), Bruce Ismay in Titanic the Musical (2004), Gus the Theatre Cat in Cats (2007), Roger DeBris in The Producers (2007), Nicely Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls (2009), Ali Hakim in Oklahoma (2011), Monsieur Andre in Phantom of the Opera (2013), Juan Peron in Evita (2015), Scuttle in The Little Mermaid (2016) and Javert in Les Miserables (2017).
Tony’s performances as Bruce Ismay, Ali Hakim, Roger de Bris and Scuttle earned him ‘best actor’ nominations at the Canberra Area Theatre (CAT) Awards.
Favorite non-musical roles include Mr Horner in The Country Wife (1988), Frederick in Noises Off (1990), Deputy Governor Danforth in The Crucible (2004), the mentally disturbed Henry in Cosi (2008), Dr Hubert Bonney in It Runs in the Family (2009), Parkes Robinson in Caravan (2010) and Banquo in Macbeth (2016). In 2012 Tony won critical praise for his portrayal of the evil red-neck Bob Ewell in To Kill a Mockingbird, which also earned Tony a ‘best actor’ CAT Award nomination.
In 2010 Tony won his first CAT Award as Best Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of Dr Hubert Bonney in the Canberra Rep English farce It Runs in the Family, for which he was also awarded the Helen Wilson Trophy for best comedy performance of the year.
In between Tony has also worked professionally in theatre restaurant, feature films, corporate videos and television commercials.
After a long career with the Australian Government (his previous day job) Tony resigned his position in 2014 and is now pursuing his new career and passion as a free-lance actor and executive consultant. He is also currently employed as an actor at the ANU Medical School.
View my Bio from The Phantom of the Opera