Colm Wilkinson News

If you haven't had the chance to catch up on your theater news, look no further than today's recap of all things theater - exclusive features, interviews, reviews and more! - around the Broadway World for the week of April 1!

Today we are talking to the originator of Jean Valjean in LES MISERABLES onstage and a preeminent Phantom (and the first to actually play the role) in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA who has clearly made a major mark with his performances in the theatre - not to mention his work on the original concept albums of EVITA and JEKYLL & HYDE - who now makes the leap to the big screen in his featured role in the super-successful feature film iteration of the Claude-Michel Schonberg/Alain Boublil musical based on the Victor Hugo novel - the titanically talented Colm Wilkinson. Opening up about his work in the original Royal Shakespeare Company production of LES MISERABLES and his collaboration with the creative team and cast of actors as well as his association with producer Cameron Mackintosh, director Trevor Nunn and more, Wilkinson details the finer points of creating one of the modern musical theatre's most memorable characters, from his first audition through to the West End, Broadway and beyond. Additionally, Wilkinson reveals all about shooting the feature film version, with Broadway/Hollywood superstar Hugh Jackman taking over the leading role and whether he would consider taking on another character in the show after having essaying Jean Valjean onstage and the Monsignor onscreen - maybe Javert? Plus, Wilkinson shares backstage stories involving fellow theatrical luminaries like Trevor Nunn, Tim Rice, Andrew Lloyd Webber and more in this career-spanning conversation with one of the mega-musical era's most major of stars - - all of that and much, much more awaits!

New BroadwayWorld.com Poll - What is your favorite JEKYLL & HYDE recording?

Ireland's Colm Wilkinson is best known as the original Jean Valjean and the Phantom, roles he created and embodied in London, Toronto and New York productions of LES MISERABLES and Phantom of the Opera. He played Jean Valjean in the 10th Anniversary Concert at the Royal Albert Hall (1995) and has gained many new fans since his guest appearances on both 25th Anniversary Concerts of Les Miserable at the O2 London (2010) and Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall (2011).

Now one of the most successful movie musicals of all time, LES MISERABLES triumphantly arrives on DVD and Blu-ray today, so it is an exceptionally apropos time to assess the many vaunted virtues and the legendary history of this spectacular mega musical and pay tribute to some of the best versions of some of its famous anthems now that we can, well, bring it home.

Jule Styne and EY Harburg's Darling of the Day premieres in the U.K. at London's Union Theatre, opening tonight, March 22, and starring Katy Secombe and Rebecca Caine.

Nicky Phillips has a very ambitious new adventure on her hands, having just launched a new company called 'Your Broadway Song' which she plans to expand within both Toronto and NYC. The company designs custom Broadway themed songs for various special occasions, and kicked off with a song written for Canadian legend Colm Wilkinson. BWW spoke to Nicky about how the idea for Your Broadway Song evolved, her feelings on Canadian Musical Theatre and her sources of inspiration.

The 'deluxe', 2 CD soundtrack version of Tom Hooper's film adaptation of the stage musical LES MISERABLES will be released today, March 18. See the track list below!

The four-time Tony nominated musical sensation JEKYLL & HYDE is celebrating its 200th performance at Chicago's Cadillac Palace as part of the show's pre-Broadway tour. Tony Award nominee Constantine Maroulis stars in the title dual role of Dr. Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde, alongside Grammy Award nominee and R&B superstar Deborah Cox as Lucy. Watch an exclusive video toast from the cast and creative team below!

Today in 1987, Les Miserables opened at the Broadway Theatre, where it ran for 6680 performances. 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. In January 2010, it played its ten-thousandth performance in London, at Queen's Theatre in London's West End. On 3 October 2010, the show celebrated its 25th anniversary with three productions running in the same city: the original show at London's West End; the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary touring production at the original home of the show, the Barbican Centre; and the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary concert at London's O2 Arena. The original Broadway cast included Colm Wilkinson as Jean Valjean, David Bryant as Marius, Judy Kuhn as Cosette, Michael Maguire as Enjolras, Frances Ruffelle as Eponine, Braden Danner as Gavroche, Donna Vivino as Young Cosette, Jennifer Butt as Madame Thenardier, Leo Burmester as Thenardier, Randy Graff as Fantine, and Terrence Mann as Javert.

One of Broadway's most distinctive voices, Ireland's Colm Wilkinson announced his 'Bring Him Home' tour today, set to play throughout the UK and Ireland beginning June 6. For the full listings of dates, check below!

The 'deluxe', 2 CD soundtrack version of Tom Hooper's film adaptation of the stage musical LES MISERABLES will be released on March 18, and the movie's UK Facebook page has just announced the track list. See the songs below!

According to reports, Colm Wilkinson will return to the West End on 24 June 2013 for a concert entitled 'Bring Him Home' at the Lyceum Theatre.

Broadway World Los Angeles Correspondents Michael Sterling and Jerry Evans of the JLE Media Group were once again on the red carpet Tuesday, February 12, 2013 for the much anticipated Los Angeles opening of the Four-time Tony Nominated Musical Sensation JEKYLL & HYDE. Watch BWW's opening night interviews below!

From Kristin Chenoweth to Deborah Cox to Idina Menzel to Barbra Streisand to Michael Crawford to the Ladies of THE VIEW to Adam Pascal, Patti LuPone, Raul Esparza, Alan Menken, Lea Salonga, Bernadette Peters, Laura Osnes, Victoria Clark, GLEE and Everything in Between - It's the BroadwayWorld.com 2013 Valentine's Day Special - It's the Biggest Ever!

Ramin Karimloo was first bitten by the theatre bug upon seeing Colm Wilkinson in the original production of The Phantom of the Opera in Toronto in the late 80s. Since then he has gone on to play the title role in both The Phantom and Love Never Dies in London's West End, and now will come home to Toronto for the first time in the Mirvish Production of LES MISERABLES which was just announced for their 2013-2014 season. BWW spoke with Ramin about how he feels about coming home, the pressures of the role of Jean Valjean, Sheytoons, protecting his voice and more.

The Nederlander Organization has announced that the four-time Tony nominated musical sensation JEKYLL & HYDE will play the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood for a limited 3 week engagement tonight, February 12 - March 3, 2013.

Unmissable BroadwayWorld reference included, last night's GLEE was a spectacular addition to the theme-show collective of FOX's hit musical comedy series thus far in its rich history, eighty-plus episodes in now in Season Four, with an exceptionally explosive episode directed by Paris Barclay and written by Brad Falchuk, 'Diva.' The leading ladies of legend acted as the foundation of the fodder for the fabulous episode - dramatically, musically, thematically and otherwise - with a music-heavy show featuring a plethora of memorable musical numbers and a generally fancy-free storyline ending in a shocking cliffhanger ending - Santana (Naya Rivera) moves to NYC to live with Rachel (Lea Michele) and Kurt (Chris Colfer), unbeknownst to them; suitcase in tow! Uh oh!

Nederlander Presentations, Inc., Independent Presenters Network, Chunsoo Shin, Luigi Caiola and Stewart F. Lane/Bonnie Comley have just announced the first preview, opening night and ticket on-sale dates for the new Broadway production of JEKYLL & HYDE, starring Tony Award nominee Constantine Maroulis in the dual title role of 'Dr. Henry Jekyll' & 'Edward Hyde' and Grammy-nominated R&B superstar Deborah Cox as 'Lucy'.

The New York Times reports that film producer Mike Medavoy ('Black Swan') and Rick Nicita of RP Media have teamed up to buy the film rights to the Broadway musical JEKYLL AND HYDE. The musical, with a book and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and music by Frank Wildhorn, is set to return to Broadway's Marquis Theater in Spring 2013 following a 25-week National Tour.