Colm Wilkinson
Encyclopedia
Colm Wilkinson is an Irish tenor, best known for originating the role of Jean Valjean
in Les Misérables
(in the West End
and Broadway
) and for playing the title role in The Phantom of the Opera
(at the Sydmonton Festival
and in the original Canadian production).
Due to his association with these musicals, he reprised the role of Jean Valjean
during the Les Misérables 10th Anniversary Concert (at The Royal Albert Hall), as well as appearing as a special guest at the 25th Anniversary Celebrations of Les Miserables (at the O2 arena
) and The Phantom of the Opera
(at The Royal Albert Hall).
His versions of both "The Music of the Night" from Phantom and "Bring Him Home" from Les Miserables are acclaimed throughout the world; fans "insist he perform them...at all his concerts."
bands (which included The Action
), in 1972 Wilkinson was cast as Judas Iscariot
in the Dublin production of Andrew Lloyd Webber
's Jesus Christ Superstar
; a role he went on to reprise the role in London
and on the British national tour.
In 1976, Wilkinson sang the part of Ché on the concept album
for the musical Evita. 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 the Sydmonton workshop
.
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 eight weeks at Number 1.
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.
Colm starred in Voices, a musical based on the life and times of Joan of Arc, which went on stage at the Olympia Dublin in 1984. The shows music and lyrics were written by Derry based composer, Tommy "TC" Doherty with the single 'Child of Destiny' being released at the time and now available on iTunes.
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.
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
). He has lived in Toronto ever since.
In October–November 2007, Wilkinson undertook a cross-Canada concert tour, Broadway and Beyond, along with Susan Gilmour and Gretha Boston.
Wilkinson plays the part of Lord Darcy in the third season showing of Showtimes miniseries The Tudors
which began airing on 12 April 2009.
He participated in U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy
's birthday celebration at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
on 8 March 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 28 August 2009, the evening before the Senator's funeral.
On 24 May 2009 Wilkinson performed in the National Memorial Day Concert
at the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., in front of a large audience and screened live across America on PBS.
A solo album was released in January 2010 titled "Broadway and Beyond: The Concert Songs". It covers all of the songs that he performed on his cross-Canada tour in 2007. His previous album was 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, "Gethsemane" 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.
On 3rd October 2010, Wilkinson was a special guest at the 25th Anniversary Concerts of Les Miserables
, at the O2 Arena
, alongside many other original cast members. He performed as part of a 'Valjean Quartet'; alongside Alfie Boe
, John Owen-Jones
and Simon Bowman
(each whom has previously played the role of Jean Valjean
in various productions of Les Misérables). This was recorded as a single (released in the U.K.) and performed live at the London Palladium
; during the Royal Variety Performance
on 16 December 2010.
A year later, on 1st and 2nd October 2011, he appeared - alongside a number of former Phantoms - at the 25th Anniversary Celebration of The Phantom of the Opera
, at The Royal Albert Hall.
He is a Founding Artist of Theatre 20, a musical theatre company in Toronto formed by artists in 2009, and performed in Theatre 20's 2011 Concert Series at the Panasonic Theatre
. Other Founding Artists include Susan Gilmour, Louise Pitre
, Ma-Anne Dionisio
, Tamara Bernier Evans and Adam Brazier.
He will perform his concert at the Toronto Centre for the Arts
in August 2011 for two nights for Dancap Productions
.
Aaron Wilkinson as well as another son and two daughters.
Jean Valjean
Jean Valjean is the protagonist of Victor Hugo's 1862 novel Les Misérables...
in Les Misérables
Les Misérables (musical)
Les Misérables , colloquially known as Les Mis or Les Miz , is a musical by Claude-Michel Schönberg, based on the novel of the same name by Victor Hugo....
(in the West End
West End theatre
West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
and Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
) and for playing the title role in The Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom of the Opera (1986 musical)
The Phantom of the Opera is a musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on the French novel Le Fantôme de l'Opéra by Gaston Leroux.The music was composed by Lloyd Webber, and most lyrics were written by Charles Hart, with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe. Alan Jay Lerner was an early collaborator,...
(at the Sydmonton Festival
Sydmonton Festival
The Sydmonton Festival is a summer arts festival presented in a deconsecrated 16th century chapel on the grounds of Sydmonton Court, Andrew Lloyd Webber's Hampshire estate...
and in the original Canadian production).
Due to his association with these musicals, he reprised the role of Jean Valjean
Jean Valjean
Jean Valjean is the protagonist of Victor Hugo's 1862 novel Les Misérables...
during the Les Misérables 10th Anniversary Concert (at The Royal Albert Hall), as well as appearing as a special guest at the 25th Anniversary Celebrations of Les Miserables (at the O2 arena
O2 arena
O2 Arena may refer to:*The O2 Arena the arena within the O2 in London.*The O2 , an entertainment complex built within the former Millennium Dome, North Greenwich, that contains the arena.*O2 World in Berlin*O2 World in Hamburg...
) and The Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom of the Opera (1986 musical)
The Phantom of the Opera is a musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on the French novel Le Fantôme de l'Opéra by Gaston Leroux.The music was composed by Lloyd Webber, and most lyrics were written by Charles Hart, with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe. Alan Jay Lerner was an early collaborator,...
(at The Royal Albert Hall).
His versions of both "The Music of the Night" from Phantom and "Bring Him Home" from Les Miserables are acclaimed throughout the world; fans "insist he perform them...at all his concerts."
Biography
After playing in several IrishIreland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
bands (which included The Action
The Action
The Action were an English band of the 1960s. They were part of the mod subculture, and played soul music-influenced pop music.-Career:The band were formed as The Boys in August 1963, in Kentish Town, North West London. After Peter Watson joined them as an additional guitarist in 1965, they changed...
), in 1972 Wilkinson was cast as Judas Iscariot
Judas Iscariot
Judas Iscariot was, according to the New Testament, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. He is best known for his betrayal of Jesus to the hands of the chief priests for 30 pieces of silver.-Etymology:...
in the Dublin production of Andrew Lloyd Webber
Andrew Lloyd Webber
Andrew Lloyd Webber, Baron Lloyd-Webber is an English composer of musical theatre.Lloyd Webber has achieved great popular success in musical theatre. Several of his musicals have run for more than a decade both in the West End and on Broadway. He has composed 13 musicals, a song cycle, a set of...
's Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Tim Rice. The musical started off as a rock opera concept recording before its first staging on Broadway in 1971...
; a role he went on to reprise the role in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and on the British national tour.
In 1976, Wilkinson sang the part of Ché on the concept album
Concept album
In music, a concept album is an album that is "unified by a theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, narrative, or lyrical." Commonly, concept albums tend to incorporate preconceived musical or lyrical ideas rather than being improvised or composed in the studio, with all songs contributing...
for the musical Evita. Instead of auditioning for the role when the production was launched in London, Wilkinson launched a solo career as a singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
. In 1985, he collaborated with Andrew Lloyd Webber
Andrew Lloyd Webber
Andrew Lloyd Webber, Baron Lloyd-Webber is an English composer of musical theatre.Lloyd Webber has achieved great popular success in musical theatre. Several of his musicals have run for more than a decade both in the West End and on Broadway. He has composed 13 musicals, a song cycle, a set of...
once again, originating the role of the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom of the Opera (1986 musical)
The Phantom of the Opera is a musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on the French novel Le Fantôme de l'Opéra by Gaston Leroux.The music was composed by Lloyd Webber, and most lyrics were written by Charles Hart, with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe. Alan Jay Lerner was an early collaborator,...
at the Sydmonton workshop
Sydmonton Festival
The Sydmonton Festival is a summer arts festival presented in a deconsecrated 16th century chapel on the grounds of Sydmonton Court, Andrew Lloyd Webber's Hampshire estate...
.
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 eight weeks at Number 1.
After his successful solo LP
LP album
The LP, or long-playing microgroove record, is a format for phonograph records, an analog sound storage medium. Introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, it was soon adopted as a new standard by the entire record industry...
, Wilkinson began to actively prepare for vocal competitions. This led to his eventual representation of Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
in 1978 with "Born to Sing", earning 5th place in the European competition for his efforts.
Colm starred in Voices, a musical based on the life and times of Joan of Arc, which went on stage at the Olympia Dublin in 1984. The shows music and lyrics were written by Derry based composer, Tommy "TC" Doherty with the single 'Child of Destiny' being released at the time and now available on iTunes.
The London production of Les Misérables opened in October 1985, and transferred to Broadway in March 1987. Originally, the American Actors' Equity Association
Actors' Equity Association
The Actors' Equity Association , commonly referred to as Actors' Equity or simply Equity, is an American labor union representing the world of live theatrical performance, as opposed to film and television performance. However, performers appearing on live stage productions without a book or...
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
Cameron Mackintosh
Sir Cameron Anthony Mackintosh is a British theatrical producer notable for his association with many commercially successful musicals. At the height of his success in 1990, he was described as being "the most successful, influential and powerful theatrical producer in the world" by the New York...
refused to open the show unless Wilkinson played Valjean. Actor's Equity subsequently relented. Wilkinson won the Helen Hayes Award
Helen Hayes Award
A Helen Hayes Award is a theater award named for the famed actress Helen Hayes to recognize excellence in professional theater in the Washington, D.C. area since 1983. The awards are managed by Linda Levy Grossman. and presented by the Washington Theatre Awards Society.-Awards:The Helen Hayes...
, the Outer Critics Circle Award
Outer Critics Circle Award
The Outer Critics Circle Awards are presented annually for theatrical achievements both on and Off-Broadway and were begun during the 1949-1950 theater season. The awards are decided upon by theater critics who review for out-of-town newspapers, national publications, and other media outlets...
, and the Theatre World Award
Theatre World Award
The Theatre World Award, first awarded for the 1945-46 season, is an American honor presented annually to actors and actresses in recognition of an outstanding New York City stage debut performance, either on Broadway or off-Broadway.-History:...
for his performance; he was nominated for the Tony Award
Tony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
and Drama Desk Award
Drama Desk Award
The Drama Desk Awards, which are given annually in a number of categories, are the only major New York theater honors for which productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway compete against each other in the same category...
for Best Actor in a Musical.
In 1989, Wilkinson relocated his family to Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, when he was offered the title role in the original Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
production of The Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom of the Opera (1986 musical)
The Phantom of the Opera is a musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on the French novel Le Fantôme de l'Opéra by Gaston Leroux.The music was composed by Lloyd Webber, and most lyrics were written by Charles Hart, with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe. Alan Jay Lerner was an early collaborator,...
playing at the Pantages Theatre (now Canon Theatre
Canon Theatre
-History:The Canon Theatre began as the Pantages Theatre in 1920 as a combination vaudeville and motion picture house. Designed by the great theatre architect Thomas W. Lamb, it was the largest cinema in Canada and one of the most elegant.The Pantages was built by the Canadian motion picture...
). He has lived in Toronto ever since.
In October–November 2007, Wilkinson undertook a cross-Canada concert tour, Broadway and Beyond, along with Susan Gilmour and Gretha Boston.
Wilkinson plays the part of Lord Darcy in the third season showing of Showtimes miniseries The Tudors
The Tudors
The Tudors is a Canadian produced historical fiction television series filmed in Ireland, created by Michael Hirst and produced for the American premium cable television channel Showtime...
which began airing on 12 April 2009.
He participated in U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy
Ted Kennedy
Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy was a United States Senator from Massachusetts and a member of the Democratic Party. Serving almost 47 years, he was the second most senior member of the Senate when he died and is the fourth-longest-serving senator in United States history...
's birthday celebration at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
on 8 March 2009. The highlight of the evening was when President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
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 28 August 2009, the evening before the Senator's funeral.
On 24 May 2009 Wilkinson performed in the National Memorial Day Concert
National Memorial Day Concert
The National Memorial Day Concert is a free annual concert performed on the west lawn of the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., in celebration of Memorial Day since 1989...
at the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., in front of a large audience and screened live across America on PBS.
A solo album was released in January 2010 titled "Broadway and Beyond: The Concert Songs". It covers all of the songs that he performed on his cross-Canada tour in 2007. His previous album was released in 2002, titled "Some of My Best Friends Are Songs". In it, he and his son Aaron Wilkinson cover the Cat Stevens
Cat Stevens
Yusuf Islam , commonly known by his former stage name Cat Stevens, is an English singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, educator, philanthropist, and prominent convert to Islam....
song, "Father and Son
Father and Son
Father and Son is a memoir by poet and critic Edmund Gosse, which he subtitled "a study of two temperaments."Edmund had previously published a biography of his father,originally published anonymously....
", 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, "Gethsemane" 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.
On 3rd October 2010, Wilkinson was a special guest at the 25th Anniversary Concerts of Les Miserables
Les Misérables (musical)
Les Misérables , colloquially known as Les Mis or Les Miz , is a musical by Claude-Michel Schönberg, based on the novel of the same name by Victor Hugo....
, at the O2 Arena
O2 arena
O2 Arena may refer to:*The O2 Arena the arena within the O2 in London.*The O2 , an entertainment complex built within the former Millennium Dome, North Greenwich, that contains the arena.*O2 World in Berlin*O2 World in Hamburg...
, alongside many other original cast members. He performed as part of a 'Valjean Quartet'; alongside Alfie Boe
Alfie Boe
Alfred Giovanni Roncalli Boe, known professionally initially as Alf or Alfred Boe and now as Alfie Boe, , is an English tenor.-Background:...
, John Owen-Jones
John Owen-Jones
John Owen-Jones is a British musical theatre actor, best known for his portrayals of Jean Valjean in Alain Boublil & Claude-Michel Schönberg's Les Misérables and of The Phantom in Andrew Lloyd-Webber's The Phantom of the Opera. He most recently appeared as Valjean on the 25th Anniversary Tour of...
and Simon Bowman
Simon Bowman
Simon Bowman is a British actor and singer, born in, Cardiff and trained at Mountview Theatre School. He is best known for creating the role of Chris, opposite Lea Salonga's Kim, in the original production of Miss Saigon at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in the West End.Prior to that, he was Marius in...
(each whom has previously played the role of Jean Valjean
Jean Valjean
Jean Valjean is the protagonist of Victor Hugo's 1862 novel Les Misérables...
in various productions of Les Misérables). This was recorded as a single (released in the U.K.) and performed live at the London Palladium
London Palladium
The London Palladium is a 2,286 seat West End theatre located off Oxford Street in the City of Westminster. From the roster of stars who have played there and many televised performances, it is arguably the most famous theatre in London and the United Kingdom, especially for musical variety...
; during the Royal Variety Performance
Royal Variety Performance
The Royal Variety Performance is a gala evening held annually in the United Kingdom, which is attended by senior members of the British Royal Family, usually the reigning monarch. In more recent years Queen Elizabeth II and The Prince of Wales have alternately attended the performance...
on 16 December 2010.
A year later, on 1st and 2nd October 2011, he appeared - alongside a number of former Phantoms - at the 25th Anniversary Celebration of The Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom of the Opera (1986 musical)
The Phantom of the Opera is a musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on the French novel Le Fantôme de l'Opéra by Gaston Leroux.The music was composed by Lloyd Webber, and most lyrics were written by Charles Hart, with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe. Alan Jay Lerner was an early collaborator,...
, at The Royal Albert Hall.
He is a Founding Artist of Theatre 20, a musical theatre company in Toronto formed by artists in 2009, and performed in Theatre 20's 2011 Concert Series at the Panasonic Theatre
Panasonic Theatre
Panasonic Theatre is a live theatre owned and operated by Mirvish Productions in Toronto, Canada.-Early years:The theatre was built in 1911 as a private residence and then converted as a movie theatre in 1919 known as The Victory...
. Other Founding Artists include Susan Gilmour, Louise Pitre
Louise Pitre
Louise Pitre is an actress in musical theatre on Broadway and in Canada. She is best known for her role as Donna Sheridan in the ABBA-themed musical Mamma Mia!, which earned her a 2002 Tony Award nomination.-Biography:...
, Ma-Anne Dionisio
Ma-Anne Dionisio
Ma-Anne Dionisio in is a Manila-born, Winnipeg-reared Canadian singer.Dionisio is the middle child of five sisters; her parents, both accountants, moved the family to Canada in 1989. She had begun singing at age 13 in the Philippines and won a nation-wide talent show there. After the relocation to...
, Tamara Bernier Evans and Adam Brazier.
He will perform his concert at the Toronto Centre for the Arts
Toronto Centre for the Arts
The Toronto Centre for the Arts, previously known as the Ford Centre for the Performing Arts, opened in 1993 as the North York Performing Arts Centre and was designed by Canadian architect Eberhard Zeidler for musicals, theatre productions and other performing arts...
in August 2011 for two nights for Dancap Productions
Dancap Productions
Dancap Productions is a theatre production company based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.It was founded in 2007 by Aubrey Dan. Since then, it has brought many productions to Toronto. Its longest running production is Jersey Boys. The touring company opened their show on 21. August 2008 at the Toronto...
.
Personal
He is the father of singer-songwriterSinger-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
Aaron Wilkinson as well as another son and two daughters.