Alex Rathgeber

Alexander Wilson Rathgeber was born in Horsham, Victoria and raised on a farm by real estate agent father, David, and primary school teacher and real estate agent mother, Katherine.{{cite web|url=http://www.mailtimes.com.au/story/962701/actor-lands-world-role/|title=Actor lands world role|first=Lauren|last=Henry|date=9 September 2007|website=The Wimmera Mail-Times}} He has two older siblings, Olivia and Nicholas.{{cite web|url=https://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/features/yellow-brick-road-alex-rathgeber/|title=Alex Rathgeber finds the heart of the Tin Man}} At 15-years-old, Rathgeber commenced as a boarder at Xavier College in Melbourne, where he became Vice-Captain of the School in his final year.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/OldXavs/status/1019431772012998659|title=Catch Alex Rathgeber (OX 2000) playing Hickory/Tin Man in the Australian production of The Wizard of Oz. Alex, who was Vice Captain during his final year at the College, has enjoyed a highly successful career as an actor, performer and...first=Old Xaverians|last=Assoc|date=17 July 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mailtimes.com.au/story/5518115/with-heart-theres-no-place-like-home-for-alex-rathgeber/|title=With Heart - There's no place like home for Alex Rathgeber|first=Jade|last=Bate|date=11 July 2018|website=The Wimmera Mail-Times}}

Immediately following his year 12, Rathgeber was admitted into the world-renowned Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). Graduating in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts (Music Theatre).{{cite web|url=https://www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au/2018/04/11/work-is-passion-for-horsham-born-theatrical-performer-alex-rathgeber/|title=Work is passion for Horsham-born theatrical performer Alex Rathgeber - The Weekly Advertiser}}

Rathgeber made his professional debut in supporting roles such as Gremio in Kiss Me Kate{{cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/kiss-me-kate-20050722-ge0k1g.html|title=Kiss me, Kate|date=22 July 2005|website=The Age}} and Sacha in Fiddler on the Roof{{cite web|url=https://officiallondontheatre.com/news/youngest-phantom-in-london-72174/|title=Youngest Phantom in London|website=Official London Theatre}}{{citation|title=ActorLandsWorldRole|url=https://www.mailtimes.com.au/story/962701/actor-lands-world-role/|work=Wimmera Mail Times|accessdate=2 January 2019|author=Lauren Henry|date=9 September 2007}} alongside Topol in the role of Tevye.

Rathgeber was cast by director George Ogilvie in his first principal role - Lancelot in Camelot for Melbourne's The Production Company.{{citation|title=Camelot|url=https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/camelot-20060825-ge301z.html|publisher=The Age|accessdate=2 January 2019|author=Jim Murphy|date=25 August 2006}} He starred alongside Katrina Retallick, Scott Irwin, Melissa Madden Gray and Dennis Olsen.{{cite web|url=https://www.paramountgraphics.com.au/sites/production_company_2007/shows/camelot.html|title=:: THE PRODUCTION COMPANY - Camelot ::|website=www.paramountgraphics.com.au}}

Soon after, he was cast opposite Silvie Paladino in the role of Billy in the new Australian production, Sideshow Alley.{{citation|title=KnockoutAussietaleputsLifebackintoMusicals|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/knockout-aussie-tale-puts-life-back-into-musicals-20070205-gdpeh5.html|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|accessdate=2 January 2019|author=Bryce Hallett|date=5 February 2007}} In 2007 he moved to London where he landed the role of Raoul in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera (1986 musical) in the West End, with Ramin Karimloo playing the Phantom.

Invited to return to Australia to appear in Mame as the nephew Patrick to Rhonda Burchmore's Mame, he then played the part of Tony opposite Esther Hannaford in The Boyfriend,{{cite web|url=https://www.australianstage.com.au/200908132778/reviews/melbourne/the-boy-friend-%7C-the-production-company.html|title=The Boy Friend - The Production Company|website=www.australianstage.com.au}} before being cast by director Simon Phillips to play the groom Robert in Melbourne Theatre Company's production of The Drowsy Chaperone,{{cite web|url=http://www.stagewhispers.com.au/reviews/drowsy-chaperone|title=The Drowsy Chaperone - Stage Whispers|website=www.stagewhispers.com.au}} alongside Geoffrey Rush, Christie Whelan Browne, Robyn Nevin, Shane Jacobson, Rhonda Burchmore, Grant Piro and Rohan Browne.{{cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/photo-call-geoffrey-rush-in-melbourne-drowsy-chaperone-com-166213|title=PHOTO CALL: Geoffrey Rush in Melbourne Drowsy Chaperone|first=Matthew|last=Blank|date=24 February 2010|website=Playbill}} He toured Korea and New Zealand as Brad Majors in The Rocky Horror Show, with Lucy Maunder as Janet, Kristian Lavercombe as Riff Raff and the original writer of the show, Richard O’Brien, as the Narrator.{{cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10686733|title=Theatre Review: The Rocky Horror Show, The Civic|first=Paul|last=Simei-Barton|date=10 November 2010|via=www.nzherald.co.nz}}

In 2011 Rathgeber performed in three productions for Melbourne's The Production Company. First, Australian stage legend Nancye Hayes and musical director John Foreman cast Rathgeber in the part of Greg Connell in The Boy From Oz, in which he sang the classic I Honestly Love You to Todd McKenney's Peter Allen.{{citation|title=NoRestForBoyFromOz|url=https://www.mailtimes.com.au/story/975053/no-rest-for-boy-from-oz/|work=The Wimera Mail Times|accessdate=2 January 2019|author=Carly McDonald|date=2 January 2011}} This production also featured Fem Belling as Liza Minnelli and Robyn Arthur as Marion Woolnough.{{cite web|url=https://aussietheatre.com.au/reviews/the-boy-from-oz-2|title=The Boy From Oz - Reviews|date=27 February 2011|website=AussieTheatre.com}} During the Melbourne summer season of The Boy From Oz, artistic director Ken Mackenzie-Forbes invited Rathgeber to appear in the role of Billy Crocker in Anything Goes, teaming him up with Amanda Harrison as Reno, Wayne Scott Kermond as Moonface and Todd McKenney as Evelyn.{{cite web|url=https://www.australianstage.com.au/201107214575/reviews/melbourne/anything-goes-%7C-the-production-company.html|title=Anything Goes - The Production Company|website=www.australianstage.com.au}} Following on, Rathgeber was cast by Roger Hodgman and Kellie Dickerson in the dual roles of Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. and Jerry in Grey Gardens, starring Pamela Rabe as Little Edie (Edith Bouvier Beale) and Nancye Hayes as Edith Ewing Bouvier Beale.{{citation|title=ColourfulGlimpseofGreylivesUnravellinginaHamptonsMansion|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/stage/colourful-glimpse-of-grey-lives-unravelling-in-a-hamptons-mansion/news-story/2e8f3128fef5224afd36ba9d1256f51a|publisher=The Australian|accessdate=2 January 2019|author=Peter Burch|date=28 November 2011}}

In 2012, after creating the role of Sid Worley in various workshops of An Officer and a Gentleman (musical), Simon Philips cast Rathgeber in this tortured soul role for its World Premiere production, which opened at the Lyric Theatre Sydney in May of that year. Rathgeber played alongside Ben Mingay as Zack Mayo, the part made famous by Richard Gere. The stage adaptation of the film was co-penned by producer Sharleen Cooper Cohen and original screenplay writer Douglas Day Stuart, with music by Ken Hirsch, it also starred Bert Labonte, Kate Kendall, Amanda Harrison and Zahra Newman.{{cite web|url=http://www.stagewhispers.com.au/news/officer-and-gentleman-exclusive-chat-kate-kendall-and-alex-rathgeber|title=An Officer and a Gentleman: Exclusive Chat with Kate Kendall and Alex Rathgeber. - Stage Whispers|website=www.stagewhispers.com.au}}

For the Midsumma Festival of 2013, Dean Bryant created the verbatim play Gaybies, casting Rathgeber in a lineup including Magda Szubanski, Virginia Gay, Brent Hill and Trevor Ashley among others.{{cite web|url=http://www.theatrepeople.com.au/gaybies-a-celebration-of-the-modern-family-at-midsumma-festival/|title=Gaybies – A celebration of the modern family at Midsumma Festival|first=Theatre People|last=Newsroom|date=14 January 2013}}

In 2015 Rathgeber joined the cast of Next To Normal at Sydney's Hayes Theatre, playing the two doctor roles to Natalie O’Donnell's portrayal of mentally-ill Diana.{{cite web| url = https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/next-to-normal-rewarded-for-tackling-sensitive-subject-matter/news-story/752ffa95438c723adba2b00859c1db69| title = Reference at www.dailytelegraph.com.au}}

In 2015, Rathgeber returned to the role of Billy Crocker for the national tour of Anything Goes, produced by Opera Australia and GFO.{{cite web|url=https://opera.org.au/whatson/events/anything-goes-sydney|title=Anything Goes - Opera Australia|website=opera.org.au}} The Australian tour of Anything Goes opened at the Sydney Opera House in September 2015{{cite web|url=https://dailyreview.com.au/anything-goes-review-sydney-opera-house/29840/|title=Anything Goes review (Sydney Opera House)|date=9 September 2015}} then travelled to the Princess Theatre Melbourne{{cite web|url=http://www.theatrepeople.com.au/anything-goes/|title=Anything Goes|first=Adam|last=Rafferty|date=1 June 2015}} and Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Brisbane.{{cite web|url=http://www.stagewhispers.com.au/reviews/anything-goes-7|title=Anything Goes - Stage Whispers|website=www.stagewhispers.com.au}} The production was directed by Dean Bryant and choreographed by Andrew Hallsworth, this time with Caroline O'Connor as Reno, Claire Lyon as Hope and Carmen Duncan as Mrs. Harcourt.{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/musicals/princess-theatres-riotously-entertaining-anything-goes-a-mustsee-for-musical-theatre-fans-20150601-ghdue5.html|title=Princess Theatre's riotously entertaining Anything Goes a must-see for musical theatre fans|first=Cameron|last=Woodhead|date=1 June 2015|website=The Sydney Morning Herald}} For his role as Billy, Rathgeber won the 2015 Helpmann Award for Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical.{{cite web|url=https://www.theaustraliatimes.com/youre-the-top-says-the-2015-helpmann-awards/|title=YOU'RE THE TOP SAYS THE 2015 HELPMANN AWARDS - The Australia Times}}

Stepping straight off the Sydney Opera House stage, Rathgeber played the villain Carl in the Australian tour of Ghost the Musical opposite Wicked stars Rob Mills and Jemma Rix as Sam and Molly. This production was the touring version of Matthew Warchus's UK production, which was choreographed by Ashley Wallen.{{cite web|url=https://www.entertainmenthive.com.au/review-ghost_the_musical.htm|title=review-ghost_the_musical|website=www.entertainmenthive.com.au}}

Rathgeber next returned to Melbourne to play the role of Aaron Fox in Curtains the Musical, alongside Simon Gleeson, Lucy Maunder and Alinta Chidzey for Melbourne's The Production Company.{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/curtains-review-the-production-companys-musical-whodunit-rollicking-good-fun-20160822-gqxybw.html|title=Curtains review: The Production Company's musical whodunit rollicking good fun|first=Cameron|last=Woodhead|date=22 August 2016|website=The Sydney Morning Herald}}

In 2017 Rathgeber was cast in the Australian national tour of The Wizard of Oz as Hickory and Tin Man. He toured Australia alongside Anthony Warlow in the title role of the Wizard, Jemma Rix as the Wicked Witch, Lucy Durack as Glinda the Good Witch and Samantha Dodemaide as Dorothy. This revival of The Wizard of Oz featured new music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and was directed by the UK's Jeremy Sams and played at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre Brisbane, the Capitol Theatre, Sydney, The Adelaide Festival Centre Adelaide and The Regent Theatre, Melbourne throughout 2017 and 2018.{{citation|title=AlexRathgeberfindstheHeartoftheTinMan|url=https://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/features/yellow-brick-road-alex-rathgeber/|publisher=Limelight Magazine|accessdate=2 January 2019|author=Jo Litson|date=29 December 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/lifestyle/home-mag/wizard-of-oz-actor-alex-rathgebers-notsorusty-sydney-season/news-story/92c47455439f639938471681777ceec2|title=At home with Alex Rathgeber|date=8 December 2017|website=www.dailytelegraph.com.au}}

In Oct/Nov 2019, Rathgeber was cast as Simon Stride in the first Australian professional production of Jekyll & Hyde. It was staged to absolute critical acclaim, with performances sold out with full standing ovations. The production marked the 25th Anniversary of Anthony Warlow's iconic 'Complete Works' recording. It starred Anthony Warlow performing Jekyll & Hyde on stage for the first time and leading Australian music theatre star Jemma Rix as Lucy. The cast included a host of leading Australian music theatre and opera stars.

Rathgeber has played the roles of Jim Hallett-Jones in Rush 2008 TV Series{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1493537/fullcredits|title="Rush" Episode #2.15 (TV Episode 2009)|via=www.imdb.com}} for Network Ten, Gwilym Evans in Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2209121/fullcredits|title="Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries" Ruddy Gore (TV Episode 2012)|via=www.imdb.com}} for ABC, and Marcus Hallam in Winners & Losers for the Seven Network.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3547460/fullcredits|title="Winners & Losers" Fallout (TV Episode 2014)|via=www.imdb.com}}

Rathgeber has been a guest artist at fundraising events including Hats Off! Melbourne and Hats Off! Sydney,{{cite web|url=https://aussietheatre.com.au/news/hats-off-set-for-melbourne|title=Hats Off set for Melbourne - News|date=25 August 2009|website=AussieTheatre.com}} Light The Night,{{cite web|url=http://www.stagewhispers.com.au/news/light-night-2014-performers-announced|title=LIGHT THE NIGHT 2014 PERFORMERS ANNOUNCED - Stage Whispers|website=www.stagewhispers.com.au}} The Brian Stacey Night,{{cite web|url=https://staceytrust.wordpress.com/|title=Brian Stacey Memorial Trust|website=Brian Stacey Memorial Trust}} the Save La Mama Theatre (Melbourne) concert, TheatreAid Flood Relief,{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/theatreaid|title=Theatre Aid (@TheatreAid) - Twitter|website=twitter.com}} Black Saturday bushfires appeals,{{cite web|url=http://www.mailtimes.com.au/story/966332/harmony-of-thanks/|title=Harmony of thanks|first=LAUREN|last=HENRY|date=26 February 2009|website=The Wimmera Mail-Times}} and a regular guest singer for Very Special Kids' annual Memorial Day ceremonies{{cite web|url=https://www.vsk.org.au/family-services/bereavement-support/|title=Bereavement Support - Very Special Kids}} commemorating the lives of children who've lost their battle with terminal illnesses.

In 2012, Rathgeber performed the Australian National Anthem for Sydney's Golden Slipper Stakes horse racing event. He also sang the Anthem for the launch of the 2013 Australian of the Year Awards, with former Prime Minister of Australia Julia Gillard in attendance.

Rathgeber has headlined numerous concerts alongside the likes of Rhonda Burchmore, Matt Hetherington, Rob Mills, Lucy Durack, Tim Draxl, Chelsea Plumley, Marina Prior, James Millar, Elise McCann, Anna O'Byrne, Amy Lehpamer, Judi Connelli, Trevor Ashley, Gorgi Coghlan, Wendy Stapleton, Suzanne Johnston, Mathew Frank, Simon Burke and many more.

In 2004, Rathgeber made his solo cabaret debut with A Momentary Act at The Butterfly Club in Melbourne, directed by Martin Croft and featuring original music and accompaniment by composer-lyricist Matthew Lee Robinson. In 2010 Rathgeber featured in the cabaret Seriously Something with Matthew Lee Robinson, Chris Parker & Josh Piterman at Melbourne's Chapel Off Chapel.{{cite web|url=https://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/89260|title=AusStage|website=www.ausstage.edu.au}} Rathgeber was invited by the 2010 Adelaide Cabaret Festival artistic director David Campbell to perform a new solo show in the Festival, for which he co-created the Cole Porter-themed Experiment with writer-director Dean Bryant and musical director James Simpson.{{cite web|url=https://performing.artshub.com.au/news-article/news/performing-arts/fiona-mackrell/the-experimental-alex-rathgeber-181469|title=The experimental Alex Rathgeber|first=Fiona|last=Mackrell|website=ArtsHub Australia}}{{cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/australia-melbourne/article/10th-Adelaide-Cabaret-Festival-Tops-Previous-Box-Office-Records-20100625|title=10th Adelaide Cabaret Festival Tops Previous Box Office Records|author=BWW News Desk|website=BroadwayWorld.com}} In 2015 Rathgeber joined forces with Silvie Paladino to present Unforgettable.{{cite web| url = http://www.whitehorse.vic.gov.au/IgnitionSuite/uploads/docs/2015%20Professional%20Theatre%20Season%20Brochure.pdf| title = Reference at www.whitehorse.vic.gov.au}}

In 2015, Rathgeber was awarded a Helpmann Award for his performance as Billy Crocker in Anything Goes for Opera Australia and John Frost. He had previously been nominated in the Sydney Theatre Awards for his performance as Sid Worley in An Officer and a Gentleman,{{cite web|url=http://www.sydneytheatreawards.com/history/2012|title=2012 - Sydney Theatre Awards|website=www.sydneytheatreawards.com}} and in the Green Room Awards for his performance as Older Patrick in Mame.{{cite web|url=https://www.australianstage.com.au/index2.php|title=Green Room Award Nominations 2008|website=www.australianstage.com.au}}{{Dead link|date=June 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

After his success in London in 2007, Rathgeber was awarded a civic reception from the City of Horsham by the mayor, Councilor Gary Bird.

• Sideshow Alley the Musical, Australian Cast Recording (2007); World Premiere Cast Recording.{{cite web|url=https://aussietheatre.com.au/features/australian-musical-theatre-playlist-may-2018|title=Australian Musical Theatre Playlist May 2018 - Features|date=29 May 2018|website=AussieTheatre.com}}
• Georgy Girl the Musical, Australian Cast Recording (2015); World Premiere Cast Recording.{{cite web|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/version/253939526|title=Georgy girl : The Seekers Musical : selected tracks from the world premier musical|first1=composer.), Ji|last1=Dale|first2=composer.), Judith|last2=Durham|first3=composer.), Davi|last3=Reilly|first4=composer.), To|last4=Springfield|first5=Georgy Girl Productions Pty Ltd|last5=body)|date=2 January 2019|via=Trove}}
• Easy to Love (2015); solo album by Alex Rathgeber featuring Caroline O'Connor, Lucy Maunder and Claire Lyon. Musical Director Stephen Amos. Produced by James Kempster at Rockcandy Productions.{{cite web|url=http://artsreview.com.au/alex-rathgeber-easy-to-love/|title=Alex Rathgeber – Easy To Love|date=4 August 2015}}

Rathgeber has taken part in the development of various new musicals including Georgy Girl, Dream Lover: The Bobby Darin Musical, Melba, An Officer and a Gentleman, Happy People, Atlantis, Muriel's Wedding the Musical, The Silver Donkey, King Kong (2013 musical) and others.

Rathgeber has been an ambassador for Entertainment Assist since 2017,{{cite web|url=https://www.entertainmentassist.org.au/ambassadors/|title=Patrons, Ambassadors & Supporters|website=Entertainment Assist}} advocating for increased mental health awareness and support for Australian entertainment industry workers. As a strong supporter of his hometown Horsham, Victoria he is an ambassador for the Horsham Town Hall Performing Arts Centre.{{cite web|url=http://www.mailtimes.com.au/story/3701086/home-grown-star-amazed-by-town-hall/|title=Home-grown star amazed by town hall|first=STEPHANIE|last=AZZOPARDI|date=2 February 2016|website=The Wimmera Mail-Times}}

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Category:1982 births

Category:Living people

Category:Australian male musical theatre actors

Category:People educated at Xavier College

Category:Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts alumni

Category:21st-century Australian LGBTQ people

Category:People from Horsham, Victoria

Category:Australian people of German descent