ANN ANELLO

A series of eagerly awaited live appearances led to her finding a personal manager, Tony Veltri, and a contract with Frank Sinatra’s newly formed Reprise Records.  During this period she recorded several chart singles.  Ann also recorded for the prestigious MGM, Jubilee, Kama Sutra, and ABC Paramount records.

With record contract in hand, she was signed to ICM and performed guest shots on numerous TV programs. One day, while having a lesson with Carlo Menotti, Ann was discovered by Red Buttons who introduced her on the Merv Griffin Show. She also performed on numerous network television programs such as, The Phyllis Diller Show and Mike Douglas Show, to name a few.

At 12 years of age, Ann Anello made her theatrical debut in “Stop The World I Want To Get Off.” She also starred as Sally Bowles in Kander and Ebb's Cabaret. Originally presented by the Manhattan Theatre club, Ann starred in By Strouse, a compilation of Charles Strouse's many hit musicals such as: Bye Bye Birdie, Superman, Annie, Golden Boy, Applause, etc. with lyrics by Lee Adams and Martin Charnin. She also did some film work such as, co-staring with Jackie Mason in John Avildsen’s “The Stoolie”, starring as "Mama" in A Private Matter produced by Sydney Pollack, and the role of "reporter" in Jennifer 8 with Andy García, produced by Scott Rudin, among other films. Ann made her first trip overseas to Australia for TV appearances in an act created for her by Tony Award winning writer Martin Charnin (Annie).

Returning from Australia, the 18 year old Anello met composer John Meyer at a party for Gerald Frank’s book “JUDY” (Judy Garland.) Meyer introduced her to legendary broadway producer, Leonard Sillman who subsequently signed her for his “Best of New Faces,” where she became his final broadway theatrical discovery. Her great reviews brought her to the attention of renowned broadway composer Charles Strouse (“Bye Bye Birdie” and “Annie”) who later invited her to tour with him, performing his hits with symphony orchestras, in theaters and stadiums across the United States.