Colm Wilkinson
, (also known as C.T. Wilkinson
in Ireland) was born 5 June 1944 in Dublin. He is an Irish musical theatre actor and singer, best known for originating the role of Jean Valjean in Les Misérables
. He was among the most frequent players of Valjean, originating the role in the West End and on Broadway. He reprised the role at the 10th Anniversary Concert. [1] He appeared on several cast albums and a DVD of the Concert.
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COLM WILKINSON TICKETS
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Career
Early years
After playing in several
Irish bands which included
The Action, in 1972 Wilkinson auditioned for a role in the Dublin production of
Andrew Lloyd Webber's
Jesus Christ Superstar
, and landed a starring role reprising
Judas Iscariot in the Dublin production. He went on to reprise the role in
London and on the British national tour.
[2]
In 1976, Wilkinson sang the part of Ché in the
concept album for the musical
Evita
.
[3] Instead of auditioning for the role when the production was launched in London, Wilkinson launched a solo career as a
singer-songwriter. In 1985, he collaborated with
Andrew Lloyd Webber once again, originating the role of the Phantom in
The Phantom of the Opera
at a
Sydmonton workshop.
[4]
Wilkinson also featured as Dr Jekyll in the Original Jekyll and Hyde Concept Album.
By 1977, Wilkinson released his own
eponymous album, (in his home of Ireland, he is known as "C.T. Wilkinson) which charted in the Irish Charts for 8 weeks at #1.
[5] After his successful solo
LP, Wilkinson began to actively prepare for vocal competitions. This led to his eventual representation of Ireland in the
Eurovision Song Contest in 1978 with "Born to Sing", earning 5th place in the European competition for his efforts.
[6]
Les Misérables
The London production of
Les Misérables
opened in October 1985, and transferred to Broadway in March 1987. Originally, the American
Actors' Equity Association refused to allow Wilkinson to play the part of Valjean in New York, due to their policy of hiring only American actors. At this, producer
Cameron Mackintosh refused to open the show unless Wilkinson played Valjean. Actor's Equity subsequently relented. Wilkinson won the
Helen Hayes Award, the
Outer Critics Circle Award, and the
Theatre World Award for his performance; he was
nominated for the
Tony Award and
Drama Desk Award for Best Actor in a Musical.
[7] [8]
Phantom Of the Opera
In 1989, Wilkinson relocated his family to
Toronto,
Canada, when he was offered the title role in the original
Toronto production of
The Phantom of the Opera
playing at the Pantages Theatre (now
Canon Theatre).
[ [9] His rendition of "The Point of No Return" with Rebecca Caine is considered one of the definitive interpretations, as featured on compilation recording of Lloyd Webber's hits. He has lived in Toronto ever since.
]
Recent news
He is the father of singer-songwriter Aaron Wilkinson [10] as well as another son and two daughters.
His most recent work is a solo album released in 2002 titled Some of My Best Friends Are Songs
. In it, he and his son Aaron Wilkinson cover the Cat Stevens song, "Father and Son", as a duet. The album is an eclectic mix of show tunes, his personal favorites, and several songs from his stage productions. His support of PBS and listener-supported television in North America, following his participation in the 10th anniversary of the production of Les Misérables
, brought him an hour-long program performing, including some of the songs from the album and one, "Gethsamane" from Jesus Christ Superstar
, which he sheepishly admits that he had waited to perform for 23 years. The rendition is powerful and emotive.[ His television broadcast supporting Stage Heroes, Colm Wilkinson
right on the heels of Les Misérables
brought positive reviews from fans and critics, with readers adding his name to their lists of "the five greatest singers ever", in Rolling Stone Magazine
. [11]
]
In October-November 2007, Wilkinson undertook a cross-Canada concert tour, Broadway and Beyond, along with Susan Gilmore and Gretha Boston. [12]
Colm Wilkinson currently is playing the part of Lord Darcy in the 4th season showing of Showtimes miniseries The Tudors
which began airing on April 12, 2009.
Colm Wilkinson recently participated in Senator Ted Kennedys birthday celebration at the Kennedy Centre in Washington DC on March 8, 2009. The highlight of the evening was when President Barack Obama arrived on the stage and together with all the performers sang Happy Birthday to Ted Kennedy. He also was asked to perform at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Library at the Memorial Service for Senator Kennedy on August 28, 2009, the evening before the Senator's funeral.
On Sunday May 24,2009 Wilkinson performed in the Memorial Day concert at the Capitol building in Washington DC, in front of a large audience and screened live across America on PBS.
References
- Reviewallmovie.com, accessed April 3, 2009
- Wilkinson, Colm Official Website
- Listingamazon.com, accessed April 3, 2009
- Interviewbroadwayworld.com, December 16, 2004
- Colm Wilkinson
- LeBlanc, Larry."Wilkinson Returns To Pop/soul Roots", Allbusiness.com, December 21, 2002
- Colm Wilkinson Online
- News releaselesmis.com, ca. 1999
- Colm Wilkinson - Biography
- Articlecdbaby.com, accessed April 3, 2009
- ''Rolling Stone'', News, Stage Heroes : Colm Wilkinson: Review
- Gans, Andrew."Wilkinson's Broadway & Beyond Concert Tour to Begin in October",Playbill.com, June 18, 2007