Michael Burgess, Star of Canada's LES MISERABLES, Dies; King Street Theatres to Dim Lights in His Honour
By: Alan Henry Sep. 28, 2015
The BroadwayWorld Toronto team is saddened to report the passing of Michael Burgess, age 70, known to many as the star of LES MISERABLES both in Toronto and on the first Canadian National Tour. Burgess was also a staple at Toronto Maple Leaf games for many seasons, performing "O Canada".
He was also the first person to perform the Canadian national anthem at a World Series Baseball game in 1992. Burgess passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer in a hospice surrounded by members of his family.
David Mirvish will dim the marquees of both The Royal Alexandra Theatre and The Princess of Wales Theatre in honour of Burgess tomorrow, September 28th at 8 PM for two minutes.
Mirvish told BroadwayWorld in a statement provided Monday night, "Michael created the role of Jean Valjean in Les Miserables, which was one of the first international blockbusters to have its own production in Canada with a local cast, instead of a touring version. He was magnificent in the role and led the all-Canadian cast to great heights. He went on to play the role across the country to great acclaim becoming a bonafide star."
"But Michael's talent was multi-faceted. A few years later he played the title role in Man of La Mancha for us and excelled in that too. He was a very talented performer with a spellbinding voice and a truly arresting stage presence. In addition to his professional life, there was a great humanity to Michael. He cared about other people. He gave to charity and supported many causes through his talent. He was very kind to my parents in their time of illness and other elderly people we both new. He truly embodied the qualities of Jean Valjean in his daily life. His passing is a very sad occasion. Canada has lost one of its major artists. He will be sorely missed."
In the video, Burgess performs "Bring Him Home" with original Jean Valjean Colm Wilkinson in 1992 on a telethon benefiting the Toronto Sick Kids hospital.
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