Photo Coverage: Colm Wilkinson in 'Broadway & Beyond' at Town Hall

Sunday, October 19, 2008; Posted: 01:10 PM - by Genevieve Rafter Keddy

The critically acclaimed 4th Annual Broadway Cabaret Festival is taking place this weekend October 17th, 18th and 19th when The Town Hall (123 West 43 Street) presents a three-day festival of Broadway stars and song. The festival is created, hosted and written by Scott Siegel for The Town Hall.

Colm Wilkinson, the world's original Jean Valjean, returned to the New York stage for "one day more" on Saturday, October 18th for the second show in the festival series, Broadway & Beyond. Presented by New York's famed Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street), the festival launched with A Tribute to Lerner & Loewe on October 17th at 8PM and concludes with Broadway Originals, where stars recreate the roles they originated in Broadway productions or revivals, Sunday, October 19th at 3PM .

Wilkinson sang an eclectic program ranging from Broadway favorites by Rodgers & Hammerstein and Andrew Lloyd Webber to popular standards by Ray Charles, Leonard Cohen, Muddy Waters and John Lennon. Les Miserables' Susan Gillmor reunited with Wilkinson as his special guest star. Wilkinson was backed by a nine-piece orchestra lead by music director Steve Hunter.

Beginning his career in his native Ireland in the 1970's, Wilkinson has become an internationally recognized vocalist. The celebrated Broadway star has spent years on the stage starring in Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera. His latest solo album Some of My Best Friends Are Songs (EMI Music Canada) is a selection of some of his favorite songs of all time. It includes three songs written by Wilkinson and a duet with his own son Aaron. Between musicals, solo albums, compilations and singles, Wilkinson has appeared in over 60 titles including Stage Heros (BMG), a solo album, where he performed with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and recorded at the historic Abbey Road Studios, in London, as well as the celebrated Highlight album of Jekyll and Hyde (BMG). This concert marked Mr. Wilkinson's Town Hall debut and his return to the New York stage.

The Song List for the concert can be found below;

ACT ONE

Phantom Overture (band)

Music of the Night

Tennessee Waltz

Some Enchanted Evening

World Goes Round/Maybe Next Tine-Duet between Susan Gilmour and Alana Bridgewater

Ray Charles Medley

Being Alive-Susan Gilmour

Stormy Weather/God Bless The Child-Alana Bridgewater

Danny Boy

Whiskey In The Jar