It was a Tuesday night during the pre-Broadway run of Les Mis in Toronto, when I was just getting ready to play Valjean, Colm Wilkinson walked into the dressing room and sat on the sofa. He said, ‘may I sit and chat with you a while?’ to which I replied, ‘uh…ya!’ He continued to tell me Les Mis stories of his own from years ago when he originated the role of Valjean. I couldn’t believe how candid and wonderfully friendly he was, especially, to a young man who has idolized him since the age of eleven. Colm was there to shadow the Bishop as he had agreed to perform the role for a one-time charity event later that week. He proceeded to watch the show from the wings. Colm Freaking Wilkinson watched me perform as Valjean from side stage for the entire show.
Aaron Walpole (via bluepeets)










