Richard Thomas was adored across America playing John-Boy in The Waltons on CBS. After The Waltons Thomas has stayed a very successful actor starring in many movies, commercials and theatrical productions. Thomas told us during the above video interview that this will be his 51st year on Broadway. Richard is now starring in the new David Mamet production RACE with James Spader, David Alan Grier and Kerry Washington.
Fun Fact: When you see a Mercedes-Benz commercial on TV, listen closely. Thomas has been the voice over talent for commercials recently.
With such a successful career as an actor, we asked Thomas what advice he has for young people. Thomas said that actors just have to get out there and do the work. Thomas stressed that actors should do as much work as they can because learning is in doing.
Watch the video above to see what Thomas thinks of David Mamet directing RACE.
BROADWAY MAGAZINE – The new Broadway musical ROCK OF AGES celebrates its official Broadway opening tonight. With American Idol star Constantine Maroulis in the cast, will other Broadway American Idols arrive on the red carpet. Broadway.tv will be there to see if Clay Aiken, Taylor Hicks, Fantasia, Diane Degarmo or any other idols will walk the Broadway red carpet. Check out all the video and get an overview of the reviews right here on Broadway.tv. Will Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider show up? How about John Bon Jovi? Asia? We’ll see.
From the hit independent film and successful Broadway Musical comes one of the most anticipated shows of the season, the musical Billy Elliot. With a cast that includes three young men rotating in the title role of Billy Elliot, this musical tells the story of a boy from a mining town who wants to pursue his dream to become a dancer. Set against the backdrop of a miners’ strike, Billy Elliot The Musical is a family friendly, powerful musical. Elton John wrote the music for the show and Lee Hall wrote the book and lyrics. Enjoy a look inside the world of Billy Elliot The Musical from the 2008 Broadway on Broadway concert in Times Square.
Sure to be the Holiday hit of the season, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (is there any other version of White Christmas out there?) takes its inspiration from the hit film and song by Broadway legend Irving Berlin. The production has previously toured the US, and earned praise for its size and grandeur. The show promises a beautiful holiday card of sound and sentiment, with solid performances and excellent staging. Word from critics across the country is that the show delivers even more than it promises. Many of the stars of the upcoming Broadway production at the Marquis Theater have toured with the show in the past. Take a look at the performance of great holiday songs featured in the production. Let it snow!
Did you hear the applause? Thunder. If you want a ticket to Wicked, you may need the help of a Wizard. The hit musical is always popular, and as this performance of “The Wizard and I” from the show at the 2008 Broadway on Broadway concert shows, it makes sense that the musical is a hit. Here is a little surprise footage celebrating the show’s performance at the 2008 Broadway on Broadway concert.
Having opened this summer, title of show is a unique take on the old “let’s put on a show” model. A musical within a play within a musical within a play within a…it’s far less complicated that it seems, and easier to enjoy than to explain. Loaded with inside Broadway humor, title of show is a no-frills look at a musical in progress within a play within a…never mind. Here is a touch of the musical number Montage from the cast at this year’s Broadway on Broadway concert in Times Square.
Fan favorite and new Broadway star Bailey Hanks makes a huge hit with the Broadway on Broadway audience during her electric performance of the show-stopping number “So Much Better.” Who would’ve thought that a Broadway casting session on MTV could turn out so well. Enjoy a bit of Bailey as she brings down the house with her performance of “So Much Better.” You may have seen it before, but never quite like this performance from the Broadway on Broadway concert. Check out that finale!
Nothing pleases a crowd like Mamma Mia! ABBA’s hit Broadway show Mamma Mia! is loaded with memorable songs, and The Winner Takes It All remains powerful both as a ballad and as it relates to the story of the Broadway musical. This has been the year of Mamma Mia! with huge crowds on Broadway and a hit movie breaking records as well. Meryl Streep sang the song for the film, and here we have the unforgettable Carolee Carmello and Christopher Shyer who perform on Broadway. Take a look at some of The Winner Takes It All from the 2008 Broadway on Broadway concert.
One of the new Broadway musicals en route to Broadway, Pure Country is a new musical based on a hit film. The show has solid Country Music bona fides including music by Steve Dorff who’ hits include Every Which Way But Loose and Kenny Rogers’ Through The Years, and lyrics from John Bettis who’s hits include Slow Hand (he also wrote Madonna’s Crazy For You and Michael Jackson’s Human Nature). If the fun of Broadway is being transported to another time and place, then Pure Country could well be another huge Broadway hit. Check out this highlight from the Broadway on Broadway concert in Times Square.
The hit Monty Python musical Spamalot takes its starting point from the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The song “Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life” was actually featured in the film Life of Brian when the Python troupe first brought it out to the public. The song is pure Eric Idle. On a Python Broadway musical side note, rumor is that John Cleese is working on a musical of A Fish Called Wanda, after having signed away participation in royalties for the global hit musical Spamalot. Always look on the bright side of life…check out this Spamalot highlight from the 2008 Broadway on Broadway concert in Times Square.
