Summary
Aaron John Walpole (born March 7, 1979) is a Canadian actor and singer, who placed third on the third season of Canadian Idol.[1] He is best known for playing the role of Lonnie in the 2010 Toronto run of Rock of Ages and Annas in the 2012 Broadway run of Jesus Christ Superstar.[2][3] He appeared in the 2014 Broadway revival of Les Misérables, as a part of the ensemble.[1]
Aaron Walpole | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Aaron John Walpole |
| Born | March 7, 1979 London, Ontario, Canada |
| Genres | Musicals, Rock Opera, Rock, Blues |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, Guitar |
Early life edit
Walpole was born in London, Ontario, and has two siblings.[4] When he was 10 years old, he saw a production of Jesus Christ Superstar with his family, which inspired him to pursue musical theatre.[5]
Walpole attended Parkside Collegiate Institute, where he played football and acted.[6] He appeared in a high school production of West Side Story as Tony. In 2001, Walpole graduated from the musical theatre program at Sheridan College.[7]
Career edit
Canadian Idol edit
In 2005, Walpole auditioned for the third season of Canadian Idol. He went to the auditions to support a friend, but was forced to register to audition so he could stay in line with her.[8] Walpole advanced through the audition stages, but was eliminated in the top 32 round. However, he was chosen to compete in the wildcard round where he received enough votes to advance. Walpole finished in third place, behind runner-up Rex Goudie and winner Melissa O'Neil.[9]
Performances and results edit
| Week | Theme | Song | Artist | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top 32 | Free Choice | " Try" | Blue Rodeo | Eliminated |
| Wildcard | Free Choice | "Drift Away" | Dobie Gray | Advanced |
| Top 10 | Canadian Hits | " You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" | Bachman–Turner Overdrive | Safe |
| Top 9 | Stevie Wonder | "You Haven't Done Nothin'" | Stevie Wonder | Safe |
| Top 8 | The 80s | "Working for the Weekend" | Loverboy | Safe |
| Top 7 | Standards | "I Can't Believe That You're in Love with Me" | Dean Martin | Bottom 2 |
| Top 6 | Classic Rock | "Hot Blooded" | Foreigner | Safe |
| Top 5 | Burton Cummings & The Guess Who | "These Eyes" | The Guess Who | Safe |
| Top 4 | Elvis Presley | "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear" " Love Me Tender" |
Elvis Presley | Safe |
| Top 3 | The Barenaked Ladies | "Break Your Heart" " Enid" |
The Barenaked Ladies | Eliminated |
Theatre edit
Walpole had his Broadway debut in 2012, as Annas in the 2011 revival of Jesus Christ Superstar.[10] The production had previously played at the Stratford Festival and the La Jolla Playhouse, before it was moved to the Neil Simon Theater in New York.[10] The production ultimately closed after only four months on July 1, due to bad ticket sales.[11]
In 2014, he joined the cast of the 2014 revival of Les Misérables.[1] Besides playing Champmathieu, Brujon, Loud Hailer in his ensemble track, he was an understudy for the role of Jean Valjean.[1] He previously was in the American 25th Anniversary tour and Canadian productions
Television and film edit
Walpole's first major acting role was in the television movie, Deacons for Defense. Since then, he has appeared in several television shows.[7] He also starred in the 2011 movie Silent But Deadly as Rob.
Personal life edit
On October 4, 2014, Walpole married Stefanie Oechslin. They have one child, a son named Eli.[8]
Credits edit
Theatre edit
| Year | Production | Role | Location | Category | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Guys and Dolls | Angie the Ox / Master of Ceremonies | Festival Theatre | Regional / Stratford Festival | |
| 2004 | Anything Goes | Quartet Tenor #2 | Avon Theatre | Regional / Stratford Festival | |
| 2010–2011 | Rock of Ages | Lonny | Royal Alexandra Theater | Canadian production / Mirvish Productions | [12] |
| 2011 | Camelot | Sir Lionel | Festival Theatre | Regional / Stratford Festival | |
| 2011 | Jesus Christ Superstar | Annas | Avon Theatre | Regional / Stratford Festival | [13] |
| La Jolla Playhouse | Pre-Broadway engagement | [13] | |||
| 2012 | Neil Simon Theatre | Broadway | [13] | ||
| 2013–2014 | Les Misérables | alt. Jean Valjean | Princess of Wales Theatre | Pre-Broadway engagement: Toronto | [14] |
| 2014–2016 | Imperial Theatre | Broadway | [14] | ||
| 2015–2017 | Kinky Boots | Don | First National Tour | [8] | |
| 2017 | Rock of Ages | Lonny | Dunfield Theatre | Regional / Drayton Entertainment | |
| 2018 | The Little Mermaid | Chef Louis | Huron Country Playhouse St. Jacobs Country Playhouse |
Regional / Drayton Entertainment | |
| 2018 | Man of La Mancha | Sancho Panza / Cervantes' Manservant | Dunfield Theatre | Regional / Drayton Entertainment | |
| 2021 | Jesus Christ Superstar | Annas | Tokyu Theatre Orb | Concert staging: Tokyo, Japan | [15] |
| 2022 | It Runs in the Family | Police Sergeant | Hamilton Family Theatre Huron Country Playhouse |
Regional / Drayton Entertainment | |
| 2023 | Evita | Ensemble | Hamilton Family Theatre | Regional / Drayton Entertainment | |
| 2023 | Fiddler on the Roof | Mendel/Russian Soloist | Hamilton Family Theatre | Regional / Drayton Entertainment | |
Television edit
| Year | Show | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Deacons for Defense | Jimmy | TV movie |
| 2005 | Canadian Idol | Himself | 3rd-place finalist |
| 2011 | Breakout Kings | Skip Blax | Episode S1.E10: "Paid in Full" |
| 2021 | In the Dark | Security Guard | Episode S3.E4: "Safe and Sound" |
| 2021 | The Hot Zone | Security Guard | Episode S2.E2: "Hell's Chimney" |
| 2023 | Accused | Bailiff #2 | Episode S1.E13: "Samir's Story" |
Film edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Silent but Deadly | Rob |
Discography edit
References edit
- ^ a b c d Peterson, Tyler. "At This Performance: LES MISERABLES' Resident 'Valjean' Cover Aaron Walpole!". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
- ^ "Aaron Walpole Theatre Credits, News, Bio and Photos". www.broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
- ^ Gans, Andrew (11 May 2010). "Rock of Ages Opens in Toronto May 11". Playbill. Archived from the original on 2018-04-17. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
- ^ "Aaron Walpole: From Paynes Mills to Broadway". St. Thomas Times-Journal. February 10, 2012. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
- ^ "Aaron Walpole: From Paynes Mills to Broadway". St. Thomas Times Journal. 10 February 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ Bunnell, Eric (2 December 2013). "Now appearing in Toronto production, Aaron Walpole to join Broadway run". St. Thomas Times Journal. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ a b Ahearn, Victoria (July 10, 2011). "Producers flocking to Stratford's 'Jesus Christ Superstar': actor Aaron Walpole". Winnipeg Free Press.
- ^ a b c Cohen, Mike (4 January 2017). "Canadian Idol alumni Aaron Walpole stands out in spectacular touring version of Kinky Boots". The Suburban. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ Wilkes, Neil (8 September 2005). "Latest 'Canadian Idol' results". Digital Spy. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ a b "Paul Nolan to Lead Broadway Resurrection of Jesus Christ Superstar; Full Cast Announced". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
- ^ Hetrick, Adam (1 July 2012). "'It Is Finished': Jesus Christ Superstar Revival Closes On Broadway July 1". Playbill. Archived from the original on 2016-03-06. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
- ^ Gans, Andrew; Jones, Kenneth (11 May 2010). "Rock of Ages Opens in Toronto May 11". Playbill. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ a b c Ahearn, Victoria (23 March 2012). "'Jesus Christ Superstar"s Aaron Walpole calls Broadway run 'a dream come true". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ a b Peterson, Tyler (17 March 2015). "At TLes Miserables' Resident 'Valjean' Cover Aaron Walpole". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ McPhee, Ryan; Meyer, Dan (12 July 2021). "Jesus Christ Superstar Concert, Starring Ramin Karimloo, Michael K. Lee, Telly Leung, Begins July 12 in Japan". Playbill. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ "Canadian Idol - High Notes". Discogs.
- ^ "Aaron Walpole – Aaron Walpole". Discogs. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
External links edit
- Aaron Walpole at IMDb