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Hello Everybody,
Colm Wilkinson here. I am really excited to let you know about the new show that we are taking on the road. The show’s first dates are in Halifax, Nova Scotia on the 6th and 7th of October. The great news is we have added 3 new members to the show, two new singers and a cellist. The singers are the amazing Susan Gilmour, who played Fantine with me in the Toronto production of Les Miserables, and the incredible Gretha Boston, who won a Tony award on Broadway for her role in Showboat. I cannot wait for you to hear these ladies sing, and I cannot wait to work with them myself. They will sing fabulous new solo songs, and some incredible duets and trios with me. They will add a new and fresh dimension to the show. Regarding the orchestra, we have four new members, including the virtuoso talent of Amy Lang. The band as usual, is under the musical direction of Steve Hunter, and once again he has put together some of the finest musicians in Canada.
I will sing the classic Broadway songs from “The Phantom of the Opera”, “Les Miserables” etc. with the usual mix of a little country, Irish, and pop for good measure. We hope you will come to a date near your home, say hello, and to sing along and enjoy yourself at this really special show. There will be the usual request box in the foyer for you to request your favourite songs.
I know you will have a memorable evening of fun and song. I guarantee it. See you there. All ticket info for the show can be found on my official website www.colmwilkinson.com.
Colm Wilkinson
Dear All,
I wish to apologize to all the people I was supposed to meet after the Iveagh Gardens open air concert on July 22nd in Dublin. I was told, but not until after the show that I could not set up a meet and greet anywhere near the exit area as it created a public hazard. I protested, but the Garden authorities would not relent. To all those affected by this, I hope to make it up to you at some other time. Once again, I apologize.
Colm Wilkinson
| FOR RELEASE: Monday, June 18,2007 | CONTACT: John Wimbs, Jonathan Scwartz |
prpr communications 416-963-5050 |
TORONTO: Garth H. Drabinsky announced today plans to mount a national concert tour for Colm Wilkinson, the award-winning actor who created the unforgettable role of Jean Valjean in the original London and Broadway productions of Les Misérables, and who thrilled Canadian audiences for four-and-a-half years in the acclaimed record-breaking original Toronto production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. The long awaited concert tour, entitled COLM WILKINSON: BROADWAY & BEYOND, marks the first time that Mr. Wilkinson will be performing a comprehensive tour of Canadian cities, with performances beginning in Halifax, NS on October 6 & 7, followed by dates in: Charlottetown, St. John’s, Montreal, Ottawa, Windsor, Kitchener, Brampton, Thunder Bay, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Victoria, Vancouver and Regina. (See complete tour schedule, below.)
COLM WILKINSON: BROADWAY & BEYOND will give audiences a rare opportunity to experience an intimate showcase with the artist, who will perform a selection of his favourite songs from the world of theatre and popular music. Mr. Wilkinson will premiere the concert this summer, prior to the Canadian tour, with one performance only at Ireland’s National Concert Hall in Dublin on July 22.
Colm Wilkinson, whose career has spanned nearly four decades, has been internationally hailed by critics as “one of the greatest voices in the musical theatre.” After gaining recognition in the Ireland in the early 1970’s as a hit-making singer-songwriter with his band The Action, and also as a solo artist, Mr. Wilkinson transitioned to the theatre on the London stage as Judas in the West end production of Jesus Christ Superstar, and recorded the role of Ché on the legendary “white album” concept recording of Evita. Mr. Wilkinson won several major theatre awards for his performance as Jean Valjean in Les Misérables in the West End and on Broadway, and was seen by over 4 million viewers worldwide in the televised 10th Anniversary Concert version. He moved to Toronto in 1989 to star in the Canadian production of The Phantom of the Opera, which is the longest-running musical in Canadian theatre history. Mr. Wilkinson has recorded several albums, including: the Broadway, London and concert versions of Les Misérables, which have sold over 50 million copies worldwide; the best-selling Toronto cast recording of “Phantom”; and “Stage Heroes” (BMG) - a solo album performed with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and recorded at the historic Abbey Road Studios. Wilkinson’s latest recording, “Some of My Best Friends Are Songs,” is a selection of some of his favourite songs of all time.
COLM WILKINSON: BROADWAY & BEYOND is produced by Garth Drabinsky and Robert Topol.
All ticketing information, prices and on-sale dates will be announced in the near future, and will be posted on web sites of local venues.
For more information on Colm Wilkinson, including a detailed discography, press materials, and Fan Club information, visit:
www.colmwilkinson.com
I went Saturday evening because I admired Colm Wilkinson's theatrical ability and, I'll admit, to see the man who created one of the most unforgettable characters in musical theater history.
I went to get a look at Jean Valjean.
What I -- and the full house in Goshen College Sauder Concert Hall -- got was an absolutely amazing evening of theater delivered by a man who connects immediately with an audience on several levels. It was a solid combination of stunning musical talent and irresistible Irish charm.
OK. So we all -- at least those who have seen the 10th anniversary concert DVD of "Les Miserables" because not everyone could have made it to Broadway -- know that the Irish singer/actor has an incredible voice.
What, I will bet, few of us know is that not only can he bring tears with an emotional ballad or show tune, but that he also can really "get down" with the blues and rock and roll, a musical genre which was his first -- and continuing -- love.
And not too many individual performers can get a roomful of predominantly older listeners clapping in rhythm and singing (shouting) back responses in tunes associated with the late Ray Charles, who just happens to be a Wilkinson hero.
I have to say I do not think there is any kind of music that this man cannot sing ... and sing as well or better than anyone else.
Most artists presenting solo concerts opt for some kind of opening act. In a recent concert in Kalamazoo, Bernadette Peters made up the second half of the symphony concert. Ditto pop greats like Tony Bennett who share musical time with their instrumental ensembles.
Not so Mr. Wilkinson.
For 21/2 hours, minus a 15-20 minute intermission, he sang ... and sang ... and sang in a program so varied that it did, most certainly, provide something for every musical taste. And his six-member band supplied exactly the instrumental support he required.
Beginning with a theatrical entrance -- he came down the aisle in a long cloak carrying a turn-of-the-century lantern -- and opened with "Music of the Night," a certified show-stopper (and saved by most singers for their big finish) from a musical in which he originated the title role, "Phantom of the Opera."
Before the evening ended, he gave listeners the songs they expected -- "This Is the Moment" from "Jekyll & Hyde," his own Broadway highlights medley of "Some Enchanted Evening," "Somewhere" and "Old Man River," plus "The Impossible Dream" and "I, Don Quixote" from "Man of La Mancha,'' "Anthem" from "Chess," "Over the Rainbow" and, from "Les Miz," "Empty Chairs At Empty Tables."
In between, Wilkinson picked up his guitar -- yep, guitar! -- and put his own vocal stamp on "Tennessee Waltz," "Funny How Time Slips Away," "Red Sails in the Sunset" (a definitely up-tempo arrangement in honor of his parents who met while his dad was playing that tune), a quartet of Ray Charles songs, loud and fast and, followed immediately by a haunting rendition of "Danny Boy" which segued into a trio of "Irish drinking songs."
Among the show tunes in the second half was a burning version of The Animals' "House of the Rising Sun." "Momma Don't Allow No ....." was the official end of the concert, but instant standing ovations (and unending applause) brought the singer back for two encores including John Lennon's "Imagine."
Lest the crowd feared Wilkinson would bow finally without giving them his signature song, one written especially for him, the Irish-born Toronto resident returned in his red and blue "Les Miz" uniform, his Broadway costume, and delivered "Bring Him Home" with all the clarity and tone it deserved.
This after singing full out for more than two hours.
It was the most amazing performance I can remember.
And it wasn't over. After a short break, Wilkinson moved to the lobby where he signed his latest CD, "Some of My Best Friends Are Songs," and posed for pictures, then headed back into the auditorium where Goshen High School Crimsonaires and Goshen College theater students were waiting for a session of questions and answers.
The advice he gave was solid and designed to make those heading for a theatrical career aware that it often has more downs than ups but, if no other career option is viable, it is ultimately the most rewarding.
Top selling classical albums in Canada(For the week ending 30 May, 2004)the Chart |
Ago |
Week |
Week |
Artist Label |
JOSH GROBAN (WBR) |
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JOSH GROBAN (WBR) |
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QUARTETTO GELATO (LIN) |
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ANDRE RIEU (POLYGRAM) |
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SARAH BRIGHTMAN (EMI) |
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HAYLEY WESTENRA (DECC) |
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YO-YO MA (SNYC) |
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MAGNETO (AGRM) |
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ANDREA BOCELLI (PHL) |
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PROKOFIEV/SAINT-SAENS/BRITTEN (NXIN) |
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MASTER & COMMANDER (DEC) |
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COLM WILKINSON (OC) |
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