Colm Wilkinson

Birth Place: Dublin, IRELAND

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Colm Wilkinson BIO

Colm Wilkinson has spent years on the stage, mesmerizing audiences with his starring roles in Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera. With the release of his new album, Broadway And Beyond The Concert Songs, and his accompanying stage show of the same name, he is set to do a concert tour and entertain audiences once again.
Starting his career in the 1970s, when he performed around his native Ireland with one of the best Irish bands of the era, The Action, Wilkinson has gone on to become one of the most celebrated performers of our time. He has had several pop hits in Ireland on the Release label as C.T. Wilkinson, and in 1972 took on the role of Judas Iscariot in the Dublin and London productions of Jesus Christ Superstar. In 1976, he also played the part of Che Guevara on the original white album of the musical Evita.
From there, he furthered his international stature by taking on the role of Barach, the Shylock character in the London production of Fire Angel, the musical rendition of Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice. His performance was so impressive that Great Britain's National Theatre invited Wilkinson to join as an actor.
In 1977, Wilkinson's phenomenal talent was revealed when his self-titled L.P. shot to #1 in the Irish charts and stayed there for eight weeks. His composition, There Was a Dream, went on to become a chart topping hit in Ireland. With intense focus on composing, Wilkinson competed in numerous song contests, achieving great success. Having tested the waters of stage musicals, cabaret, records, radio, and television, Colm Wilkinson spread his talents as singer and composer to viewers in over twenty countries worldwide when he represented Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest in Paris in 1978 with Born to Sing.
The early eighties recognized Wilkinson as one of the finest singers of popular song. He still was not satisfied, however, and craved the part that would test his abilities as both singer and actor. Wilkinson went on to achieve international fame when he created the role of Jean Valjean in the hit musical, Les Misérables. He instinctively knew that this was the role he'd been waiting for. "I knew that I was a part of something very special," explains Wilkinson.
Wilkinson also created the role of The Phantom in the workshop of The Phantom of the Opera in Sydmonton. After finishing in Les Misérables, he then went on to star in the Toronto production of The Phantom of the Opera for four and a half years, giving 1,653 performances and earning nightly standing ovations from more than 3.5 million theatre-goers. Wilkinson earned the Dora Mavor Moore award for his portrayal of the Phantom in 1989-90. He also received the Dora award for the role of Valjean in 1998-99 in Toronto.
Between musicals, solo albums, compilations and singles, Wilkinson has appeared on over 60 titles, including Stage Heroes (BMG), a solo album, where he performed with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and recorded at the historic Abbey Road Studios in London, England, as well as the celebrated Highlight album of the Broadway hit Jekyll and Hyde (BMG). Wilkinson's recording, entitled Some of My Best Friends Are Songs, is a selection of some of his favourite songs of all time. It includes three self-penned compositions and a duet performed with his own son, Aaron, on Cat Stevens', Father and Son.
Colm Wilkinson's latest CD Broadway And Beyond The Concert Songs as well as his previous CD Some of My Best Friends Are Songs are available now online at CD Baby.

Colm Wilkinson Photos

Colm Wilkinson STAGE CREDITS

[US Tour]
2nd National Tour, 1988
Jean Valjean [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1987
Jean Valjean

[West End]
Original London Production, 1985
Jean Valjean


Colm Wilkinson Movies

[1976]The Ritz singer

[1989]Behind the Mask The Phantom

[2010]Les Misérables in Concert: The 25th Anniversary Jean Valjean

[2011]The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall The Phantom - Finale

[2012]Les Misérables Bishop


Colm Wilkinson TV Shows

The Tudors Lord Darcey

Colm Wilkinson Videos

Colm Wilkinson News


Chilina Kennedy and Constantine Maroulis Will Lead Reading of ALL THE RAGE Musical

A one-night-only reading of the musical All The Rage will be held as part of Spark Theatre Festival this March. The reading will star Broadway's Chilina Kennedy and Constantine Maroulis.

Review: Norm Lewis at Theatre Raleigh

Within the past few months, Theatre Raleigh has brought Broadway stars Norbert Leo Butz, Rachel Bay Jones, and Ariana DeBose down to the Triangle area for one-night-only concert performances. On November 3rd, they brought down Tony-nominated actor Norm Lewis to their De Ann S. Jones Theatre.

Kevin Walsh Pays Tribute To Meat Loaf With Cover 'Not A Dry Eye In The House'

Discover Kevin Walsh's heartfelt tribute to Meat Loaf with his emotional cover of 'Not A Dry Eye In The House'. Experience the powerful vocals and dramatic production that bring new life to this beloved classic.

Take a Look Back at 30 Years of The Princess of Wales Theatre

On May 26, 1993, when the Princess of Wales Theatre officially opened, it solidified Toronto’s growing status as a major urban centre. Take a look back at the theatre's 30 year history!

Photos: Inside Rehearsal For Bardic Theatre's EVITA

Bardic Theatres' production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's rock opera EVITA opens next week on Friday 5th May at Bardic Theatre, Donaghmore for a very limited run. Check out rehearsal photos here!

Bardic Theatres Presents EVITA

Bardic Theatres' production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's rock opera EVITA opens next week on Friday 5th May at Bardic Theatre, Donaghmore for a very limited run.

The Friday 5(+1) on Wednesday: The Cast of Street Theatre Company's ORDINARY DAYS

Nashville's Street Theatre Company begins its residency at The Barbershop Theatre this weekend with their production of Ordinary Days, running March 17-April 1. Today, the musical's four castmembers - Angela Madaline-Johnson, Sachiko Nicholson, Grant Weathington and Alan Smith - take on our Friday 5(+1) questions to offer you some insight and to tell you why they think you should come see their show.

Kevin Anderson, Ben Gulley & Alanis Sophia to Star in THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME at Skylight Music Theatre

Skylight Music Theatre announced the full cast for the Wisconsin premiere of Dennis DeYoung’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame, running May 20 through June 12, 2022. Performances take place in the beautiful Cabot Theatre at the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway, in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward.

Trevor Dion Nicholas, Natalie McQueen & More to Join Frank Wildhorn's FRANK & FRIENDS

Fourth Wall Live and Frank Wildhorn have announced that West End stars Trevor Dion Nicholas, Natalie McQueen, John Owen-Jones, Christine Allado, Natalie May Paris, Frances Mayli McCann, Jordan Luke Gage and The Arts Ed Choir will be joining the composing icon on stage for  FRANK & FRIENDS – The Music of Frank Wildhorn.

Kerry Ellis, John Owen-Jones, and More Announced as Special Guests For FRANK & FRIENDS

West End stars Christine Allado, Kerry Ellis, John Owen-Jones, Natalie McQueen and Kayi Ushe will be joining the composing icon on stage for  FRANK & FRIENDS – The Music of Frank Wildhorn at the Cadogan Hall on Sunday 16 January 2022 at 6.30pm.

FRANK AND FRIENDS Will Bring the Music of Frank Wildhorn to Cadogan Hall in January

Fourth Wall Live has announced FRANK & FRIENDS – The Music of Frank Wildhorn, starring Frank Wildhorn himself at the piano alongside special guests at the Cadogan Hall on Sunday 16 January 2022 at 6.30pm.

VIDEO: On This Day, June 5- Happy Birthday, Colm Wilkinson!

On this day we're celebrating the birthday of Broadway legend, Colm Wilkinson!

LISTEN: Ramin Karimloo Discusses His Journey to Broadway on THE THEATRE PODCAST WITH ALAN SEALES

Ramin Karimloo has joined the latest episode of The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales! From Iran to Italy to Canada and finally to London, he forged a path uniquely his own, knowing the only failure is not trying. 'When someone puts a seed in my head, I'll dive in not knowing how deep it is, but I'll just go for it and just see what happens.'

UN DÍA COMO HOY: LES MISERABLES se estrenaba en Broadway

El 12 de marzo de 1987 LES MISERABLES subía el telón por primera vez en Nueva York en el Broadway Theatre. Tras ocho semanas de previas en la Opera House del Kennedy Center en Washington D.C, el musical se estrenaba en Broadway con un presupuesto de 4,5 millones de dólares, de los que recuperó cuatro solo con la preventa.

VIDEO: On This Day, March 12- LES MISERABLES Opens On Broadway

Written by Claude-Michel Schonberg, based on the novel by Victor Hugo, Les Miserables is set in early 19th-century France. The plot follows the stories of many characters as they struggle for redemption and revolution.

Theater Stories: AIN'T TOO PROUD, The Premiere of PIPPIN, The Debut of Mary Martin & More About The Imperial Theatre

This week's Theater Stories features the Imperial Theatre. Learn about the stars and shows to have graced the theatre's stage, including Ethel Merman in Annie Get Your Gun and Gypsy; the Broadway premiere of Mary Martin; the theatre's current show, Ain't Too Proud, and much more!

Angelwalk Theatre Presents BACKSTAGE TEA With Alene Degian and Danny Sylvan

Angelwalk Theatre will bring some musical theatre fun to the fall lineup with its brand-new online series Backstage Tea, airing every Tuesday at 5:30 pm (EST) starting October 20th and available until 11:59 pm (EST) the following Monday. The series will run for a total of 9 episodes, with the final episode airing on December 15th.

Lockdown Viewing: Watch These Fantastic Musical Theatre Documentaries

Why not use the lockdown period to catch up on your musical theatre history? From the making of iconic shows to fascinating backstage tales and industry insight, these documentaries help to fill the stagey void.

BWW Exclusive: Ben Rimalower's Broken Records QuaranStreams with Hey, Mr. Producer; Guest Richard Jay-Alexander

In this very special QuaranStreams, Ben and Daniel talk to Broadway producer and director Richard Jay-Alexander about 'Hey, Mr. Producer!' the 1998 concert honoring Cameron Mackintosh. The concert featured performances by Bernadette Peters, Lea Salonga, Elaine Paige, Colm Wilkinson, Judi Dench, Jonathan Pryce, Ruthie Henshall, Ellen Greene, Michael Ball, Tom Lehrer and many more, including Julie Andrews as host. Richard Jay-Alexander served as Executive Director for the NYC office of producer Cameron Mackintosh and ran the North American operation for over a decade. Richard's recent directorial credits include 'Les Misérables' and 'Guys and Dolls,' both at the Hollywood Bowl. He has also staged concerts for superstars such as Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Bernadette Peters, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and Kristin Chenoweth.

VIDEO: Watch West End Stars and Irish Youth Musical Theatre Sing 'You'll Never Walk Alone'

A number of West End stars came together to perform 'You'll Never Walk Alone' from Carousel.

Colm Wilkinson FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Colm Wilkinson has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.

Colm Wilkinson has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.

Colm Wilkinson's first West End show was Les Miserables which opened in 1985

Colm Wilkinson has been nominated for several awards, including Outstanding Lead Actor, Non-Resident Production at the Helen Hayes Awards for "Andrew Lloyd Webber Music of the Night," Outstanding Actor - Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for "Les Miserables," Outstanding Lead Actor, Non-Resident Production at the Helen Hayes Awards for "Les Miserables," Best Debut Performance at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Les Miserables," Performance at the Theatre World Awards for "Les Misérables," Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Les Misérables," and Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actor in a Musical at the Olivier Awards for "Les Miserables, RSC."

Colm Wilkinson has won the following awards: - Outstanding Lead Actor, Non-Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Les Miserables - Best Debut Performance (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Les Miserables - Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Les Misérables.

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