TORONTO – Missing: one “Phantom of the Opera” mask.
Irish-born stage star Colm Wilkinson says he can’t find the famous facial disguise he wore when he played the lead in the hit Toronto production of “The Phantom of the Opera.”
He isn’t sentimental about it, though.
“Actually, I think somebody stole it from the house. Well, it’s gone,” Wilkinson said in a recent telephone interview from his home in Toronto, where he’ll sing in concert next month at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.
“I have to say, I don’t hold on to a lot of stuff like that…. I don’t know where it is. Maybe it’s not stolen. Maybe it’s up in the attic somewhere.
“I don’t keep a lot of memorabilia around.”
Still, Wilkinson has plenty of reminders of some of his most famous roles, which include the Phantom, Jean Valjean in the hit musical “Les Miserables,” and Judas Iscariot in “Jesus Christ Superstar.”
He said one room in his house is filled with treasures made by his fans, including a giant mirror adorned with a Phantom mask and rose, and a heavy sculpture of the Phantom sitting down, looking at his mask and wearing an Aran Irish sweater.
He also has fan-made paintings depicting him in the role of Valjean, as well as crochet blankets and dolls.
“People were so generous to me, it was unbelievable,” said Wilkinson, who also played Lord Thomas Darcy in seasons 3 and 4 of “The Tudors.”
Wilkinson also reconnects with his past roles through various recordings and concerts.
Last October, he sang in the 25th anniversary performance of “Les Miz” at London’s O2 Arena, and last December he appeared in the Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium as part of the “Valjean Quartet.”
On Aug. 12 and 13 in Toronto, he’ll sing tunes from “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Les Miz” – among other songs – at “Colm Wilkinson in Concert: Broadway and Beyond.”
Dancap Productions is presenting the exclusive Canadian engagement of the show, which recently had a sold-out tour in Ireland.
Wilkinson will sing and play guitar with a nine-piece band that includes Susan Gilmour and Patricia O’Callaghan on backup vocals and solo numbers, and the musical director and conductor Steve Hunter.
“The show is going to be an Irish knees-up,” said Wilkinson, who has appeared on over 60 record titles through various musicals, solo albums, compilations and singles.
“I like people to participate and I like people to sing along with me, if I can get them.”
Many songs from the show are mined from his latest album, “Colm Wilkinson: Broadway and Beyond, the Concert Songs,” which is available on cdbaby.com and at Roy Thomson Hall.
The setlist includes a cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” “Where We Belong” from “An Officer and a Gentleman” and the Beatles tune “She’s Leaving Home.”
Wilkinson will also sing the two songs his fans insist he perform at all of his concerts: “The Music of the Night” from “Phantom” and “Bring Him Home” from “Les Miz,” both of which are on his album.
“If you don’t do certain songs, people come up to you – I’ve had this happen time and time again – they say: ‘You know, I came to hear you sing that song. You didn’t sing it.’ So you have to do a certain amount of the same songs all of the time,” said Wilkinson, who sang a duet with his singer-songwriter son, Aaron, on his previous album, “Some of My Best Friends Are Songs.”
“I can only do so many new songs, otherwise I’m in trouble.”
In 1989, he and his wife, Dierdre, relocated their family to Toronto so he could star in the Canadian premiere of “The Phantom of the Opera” at the Pantages Theatre. He played the role for four and a half years, winning a Dora Award for it, and has lived in Toronto ever since.
Wilkinson also created the role of Valjean in “Les Miserables,” first in London and then on Broadway, where he won the Helen Hayes Award and the Outer Critics Circle Award. He also was nominated for a Tony and a Drama Desk Award for the role.
In October, he’ll appear at a London 25th anniversary concert for “The Phantom of the Opera” alongside several other performers who’ve taken on the Phantom over the years. Among them will be Canadian actor Ramin Karimloo, who is now starring in the “Phantom” sequel,” “Love Never Dies.”
Karimloo has said many times that his passion for the Phantom traces back to 1990, when he saw Wilkinson play the role in Toronto.
Now, it’s Wilkinson who’s looking fondly on Karimloo’s performance as the masked outcast.
“I saw him do the sequel and he was just absolutely incredible in it,” said Wilkinson. “He’s just a really nice kid and he’s a great singer – great range.
“He’s going to be a force to be reckoned with, that guy.”
As for recent talk that another film version of “Les Miz” is in the works (Hugh Jackman has already said he’s thrown his hat into the ring to play Valjean, if the movie is made), Wilkinson is keen on the idea.
“I think it’s about time it was done,” he said. “Unfortunately it’s a bit beyond me now at this stage. Age-wise I would be too old for the part.”
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