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Wilkinson can't resist the sound of musicals
Syracuse Post July 08, 2005
By Joan E. Vadeboncoeur Staff writer
Colm Wilkinson is heading back to the forum that spawned his greatest fame - musical theater.
The actor and singer expects to return in a historical epic, "Pirate Queen," a saga of real-life Irish woman Grace O'Malley. Its score has been composed by Claude-Michele Schonberg, whose "Les Miserables" made Wilkinson an international star in the role of Jean Valjean.
But not before the multi-award winner notches his first-ever Syracuse engagement. The star tops the lineup of "Fresh Musical Revue," which Vineyard Players will stage 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Proceeds from the show will benefit Broadway Cares - Equity Fights AIDS.
Theatergoers will see and hear a new side of the performer. He'll be playing guitar, as well as singing his signature tune, "Bring Him Home" from "Les Miz," works from "Phantom of the Opera," in which he played the title role for four and half years in Toronto, and one from "South Pacific." In addition, he'll call upon his Irish heritage (born in Dublin) for the folk song, "Whiskey in the Jar."
In a phoneinterview, Wilkinson says he agreed to appear for Vineyard, a small, local theater company less than 2 years old, for two major reasons. One was his availability. The event fit easily into his touring schedule to promote his new album, "Some of My Best Friends Are Songs."
But the principal motive was drawing attention to AIDS. The disease receives only sporadic attention, he says. "It is not just epidemic, it's pandemic, and we need to be constantly aware of it."
Personally, the actor-singer-musician notes he has lost many of his friends in show business to AIDS. He grieves still over the loss of Alan Ecolsky. "He was my man, my dresser. It was my first personal loss."
The 61-year-old also is connected to the AIDS work being done to educate Africans through his wife Deirdre's aunt. "She is a missionary in Zimbabwe. She travels by truck from village to village with videos and African teachers to educate the young."
The tenor has been absent from the Broadway stage for several years, preferring, he says, to appear in concert where he savors the intimacy of the audience.
For a while, it seemed certain Wilkinson would return to the New York limelight in the dual title roles in "Jekyll & Hyde." Says the star, "Frank Wildhorn (the composer) would be on the phone every other day asking, 'When are you coming down?' He was like an insurance salesman."
The answer,not for that show, a decision he doesn't regret. When he checked it out on a New York visit, he says, "I didn't like the show. But the music, especially 'This Is the Moment,' is wonderful, and I thought Linda Eder (its leading lady) was very good."
Instead of Broadway, family considerations triumphed over the lure of adding yet another memorable portrait to his resume. The actor says at the point where Wildhorn was in hot pursuit, he had already purchased a home in Toronto where he, his wife and four children were ensconced.
"I was earning a decent salary in 'Phantom,' " and decided to remain in the city he terms "very clean and relatively safe and 11/2 hours from New York."
But now, Wilkinson has agreed to the male lead in "Pirate Queen." He says it will premiere in February in Ireland, then move to London and, probably, on to Broadway.
Grace O'Malley,the title character, the performer says, was a liberated woman. She was next in line for the Irish throne in the 16th century after the death of her father, the role he would create. In what he describes as "her complete emancipation," "she was able to plunder the seas."
A week or two ago, the star was in Manhattan to test the music and, while there, managed to see "Light in the Piazza," which he deems a fabulous show, although he feels most Broadway musicals are below the caliber of the years in which he reigned as king.
Admittedly, Wilkinson has missed New York and feels ready for a return to the Big Apple as well as musical theater. Besides, the timing is right. The Wilkinson brood are grown with all toiling in some arts arena. Blessedly, he says, all four are healthy and happy.
In fact, eldest son Aaron collaborated with his dad on one of the songs on the new album. In all, the actor contributed three tunes.
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