Honey Smooth Voice Of The 'Bee

Anthony Callea at Werribee Mansion

BY LISA FOREMAN
19/11/2008

ARIA winner Anthony Callea is proud to say he is a Werribee boy through and through.
After shooting to fame as runner-up in the 2004 series of Australian Idol, Callea still lives in Wyndham and has fond memories of growing up here.

The 25 year old, soon to fly to New York to start work on his third album, recalls living with his parents in Yalonga Avenue, off Duncans Road, and then in another house near the Princes Highway.

He spent his primary school years at Corpus Christi before attending McKillop College.
Callea says he has heard all the jokes about Werribee's smell and no longer bats an eyelid.

"To be honest, people can take the piss out of Werribee as much as they want, but for me it was a great place to grow up," he said.
"It was a great place and I don't have any regrets about my upbringing in Werribee, I loved it."

Since Idol, Callea has released two albums and holds the record for both the biggest and fastest-selling single in Australia for his debut release, The Prayer.

Callea was five when he turned to his mother and told her he wanted to be a singer.

"Mum used to drive me to Richmond once or twice a week for singing lessons," he recalled.
"At that age I didn't know what I wanted to do, but I just enjoyed it and loved doing it and thankfully it led to something I could actually make a career out of."

To expose his talent, he would take part in school holiday singing competitions at Werribee Plaza.

"No matter how cool you think you are, everyone has been a dag at least once in their life."

His first accolade came when he won the Wyndham Young Achiever award: "I think I was in year 8 or 9. I remember going to the cultural centre and getting my little trophy and medallion."
Things have certainly changed since then.

He auditioned for the second series of Australian Idol.

"I just thought I'd be stupid not to give it a go.
"It was a tough three months, but I'm glad I did it as obviously I wouldn't be doing what I am doing now."

The gamble paid off.

Callea has accumulated many awards, including an ARIA, Channel V Artist of the Year award and MTV Viewers' Choice award and has sung for dignitaries including the late Luciano Pavarotti, the Queen and Prince Frederik and Princess Mary of Denmark.

He has also taken his talents to the theatre, starring in the musical Wicked.

Callea's next project will see him team up with partner and former Home and Away star Tim Campbell for a performance at Crown casino in Melbourne on December 6.

Tickets from http://www.ticketek.com.au/ or on 1300795012.

article sourced from The Werribee Banner

http://werribee.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/honeysmooth-voice-of-the-bee/1363655.aspx

Anthony to end his run in Wicked

Anthony Callea is set to return to his 'day job' with the singer deciding not to renew his inital 6 month contract with the hit stage musical 'Wicked' in order to concentrate on his recording career.

He is meeting with producers in the US this month to discuss the new album, with the whole process being filmed.

His portrayal of the character Boq has received high praise from both audiences and critics alike:

"Callea is a fun and engaging Boq, and his scenes with Penny McNamee (Nessarose) are wonderfully entertaining - a duo well and truly connected."
- AussieTheatre

"Anthony Callea's munchkin outsider is brimful of pathos and energy."
- The Australian

"Anthony Callea is strong as munchkin Boq."
- Sunday Herald

"Anthony Callea makes a commendable transition to musical theatre."
- Herald Sun

"Anthony Callea and Rob Mills, who copped a lot of attention for their casting as Boq and Fiyero, were truly grand."
- Troy Dodds - Aussie Theatre

"No-one in the cast can be faulted. Australian Idol alumni Rob Mills and Anthony Callea work a treat."
- Geelong Advertiser

"Anthony Callea is winning as the munchkin Boq."
- The Sunday Telegraph

"Anthony Callea is gentle and winsome as the Munchkin Boq, who finally takes a stand after being walked over by his fellow students."
- Australian Stage Online

"Perhaps the biggest surprise comes from two former Australian Idolers Rob Mills, as male lead Fiyero, and Anthony Callea as a perfectly cast munchkin. Both hold their own with strong vocals - Callea particularly has a voice that seems perfect for musical theatre."
- New Zealand Herald

"Rob Mills as the lover boy Fiyero and Scarecrow puts on a well measured performance as does Anthony Callea as Boq and the Tin Man."
- New Zealand Business Review

"Anthony Callea is too cute for words as Boq the munchkin."
- B News

"The Australian cast is superlative - Apart from the stellar performances of Harrison and Durack, there is a very strong supporting cast of uniform excellence - Anthony Callea exploits both voice and stature as the passionate Munchkin Boq."
- Blaze

"his performance is extremely well projected and note perfect."
- Gen Q

"Some of the best moments come from former Australian Idol contestant Anthony Callea.
-stuff.co.nz"

"As the munchkin Boq in Wicked, Callea is impressive."
- Andrew Murpett - The Age

Anthony Confirmed For Carols By Candlelight

Anthony rings in Christmas Eve

Vision Australia have confirmed the performers for the 2008 Carols By Candlelight, and Anthony is back for his fifth appearance at Carols.

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He will be joined by other multi timers David Campbell, Hi-5, Marina Prior, Ian Stenlake and Dennis Walter.

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Also appearing will be the entire cast of the mega smash hit musical Wicked , including Callea and new Wizard Bert Newton.

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Making their Carol debut will be Georgie Parker and Tim Campbell, while Today hosts Karl Stefanovic and Lisa Wilkinson will host the night.

Celebrity Couple Enjoy Oaks Day

A well suited pair

Anthony Callea and partner Tim Campbell enjoyed a whirl around the Myer tent, before they head to New York, where Callea will record his third album.

Romance To Share Stage

Support act - in every way.

BY CAMERON ADAMS, CLAIRE SUTHERLAND and NEALA JOHNSON

ANTHONY Callea started the year making headlines by revealing he was dating fellow performer Tim Campbell. Now they're finishing the year by performing together on stage. Campbell will open for Callea at the Palms at Crown on December 6.

"I don't know what Tim's doing, he's keeping it a secret from me," Callea tells The Back Room. "Apparently there might be dancers. He had a rehearsal and about 20,000 people were there. I'm starting to worry now. I think his show is going to be better than mine! He's a really strong performer. I figured if I was doing a show he's going to be there anyway, so he may as well get up and sing.''

The pair are also planning a duet.
"We've just got a piano at home, so if we can come up with something better than Chopsticks we might throw that in.''

It's been a busy year for Callea, performing in Wicked eight times a week. He'll take a night off from the hit musical for the Palms show, which he wants to be "not overly rehearsed''.

Callea says moving into theatre has taught him new discipline.
"Keeping it fresh is the main challenge, doing exactly the same thing eight times a week. For a pop singer, every night can be different. You can interact with the audience if someone yells out. In Wicked you have to keep a straight face."

Callea takes a break from Wicked for a trip to New York this month to meet the producers of his third album, which may contain songs from popular musicals.

"I'm not sure what direction it will take yet,'' Callea says. "I'm lucky I haven't had to rush an album out just for the sake of it. I'm going over there with an open mind, I'm open to whatever comes my way."He'll also take the opportunity to see the Broadway production of Wicked."I've never seen the show. I'd never actually heard of Wicked when they asked me to be part of it, so hopefully I can scam some tickets!''

Long And Short Act

Anthony and Buddy Franklin mugging for the camera

Possibly the tallest and the shortest men in the Birdcage shared a joke over their heights in the Lavazza marquee.

Hawthorn footballer Buddy Franklin posed with Idol singer Anthony Callea, with the pair hamming it up for the cameras, and causing plenty of giggles among onlookers.

Anthony Attends Melbourne Cup

A WINNER IN THE FASHION STAKES

Tuesday and a day off from the smash hit musical Wicked, saw Anthony attending this years Melbourne cup, enjoying, with fellow cast member Rob Mills, the antics of US Rapper Snoopdog in the Lavazza marquee.