HORSHAM’S own Alex Rathgeber has thanked his fans and the cast and crew of Anything Goes for his very first Helpmann Award.
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Rathgeber was named best male actor in a supporting role in a musical at the 2015 Helpmann Awards on Monday.
He received the award for his performance as New York stockbroker Billy Crocker.
Rathgeber beat other nominees Eddie Muliaumaseali'i in Show Boat and Trevor Ashley and Chris Durling, both in Les Misérables, for the award.
Anything Goes was nominated for nine Helpmann awards and won three.
The Helpmanns are the Australian equivalent of America’s Tony Awards.
Caroline O'Connor was named best female actor in a musical for her performance as Reno Sweeney. Andrew Hallsworth won best choreography in a musical.
Rathgeber’s win was his first Helpmann award from his first nomination. It topped off an exciting few months after he released his debut album in June.
Rathgeber said the award win was a whirlwind.
"I felt like when I was up there, I was accepting the award on behalf of the whole company,” he said.
"I feel so proud of all the people involved in the show.
"It's a great way of recognising the show as a whole and my career to date.”
Rathgeber said he had received overwhelming support from Wimmera friends and his family.
“It's made it all the more special and I really appreciate the support,” he said.
Rathgeber took to social media to thank his fans after the awards presentations.
“Thank you to everyone for the flood of messages of congratulations,’’ he wrote on Instagram.
“I really am quite overwhelmed. I'm so thankful for the massive opportunity of playing this GREAT role in this new, all-Aussie production of one of Broadway's all-time, ultimate musical comedies, with the best in the biz.’’
The awards were announced at Sydney's Capitol Theatre.
They are the country's most prestigious performance awards.
Rathgeber said he had no time to celebrate after the ceremony. He flew back to Brisbane in time for the opening night of Anything Goes on Tuesday.
Anything Goes will show in the city for three weeks after a successful seven-week run in Melbourne.
The production will move to Sydney for eight weeks later this year.
