A Tribute to Anthony Gagliardi
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Anthony “Tony” Gagliardi, a cherished member of the Musical Theatre West family for more than 25 years. From the moment MTW moved to Long Beach, Tony became one of our strongest supporters. At one of our earliest donor events, he was among the first to purchase a season subscription and made a generous $2,000 contribution—setting the tone for decades of extraordinary commitment. In 2004, MTW honored Tony with their Distinguished Patron of the Arts award.
Tony later served on our Board of Directors and played a pivotal role in founding Broadway in the Park, which began in his home and the cul-de-sac in front of it. For more than 20 years, he worked tirelessly to make the event a success—setting up tables, planning décor, hosting previews of upcoming shows, and even sweeping and hosing down the street each morning after. His dedication was unmatched.
When Tony learned how much MTW spent on wigs, he immediately volunteered to take it on himself. For over 20 seasons, he designed, styled, and maintained the wigs for our productions—often staying late into the night to ensure everything was ready for the next day. His artistry elevated every show he touched.
Tony was also one of our most beloved auction contributors. Though he joked that he could never say no, it was often true—when he planned to retire his lavish themed parties, one request for “just one more” turned into four. His creativity was boundless, from his unforgettable party themes to hosting an elaborate renewal of vows ceremony for close MTW friends.
His generosity reached far beyond MTW. Tony helped found Steel Magnolias and spent more than 20 years fundraising for them, while also supporting numerous arts organizations throughout Long Beach with his home, his decorating talents, and his wig expertise. Despite all he gave, he never wanted recognition; whenever we used his home for fundraisers, he would avoid being introduced or thanked. His humility was as remarkable as his generosity.
In honor of Tony’s incredible legacy, Musical Theatre West has established the Tony Gagliardi Memorial Fund, with contributions supporting improvements to the wig and costume workspaces he cared about so passionately.
We are forever grateful for his friendship, his artistry, and the countless lives he touched.