Latest news with #RichardThomas
Washington Post
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
Richard Thomas dons wig and mustache to play icon Mark Twain in one-man play touring the US
NEW YORK — Richard Thomas has not one but two big shoes to fill when he goes out on the road this summer in a celebrated one-man show. The Emmy Award winner and Tony Award nominee is portraying the great American writer Mark Twain in a play written and performed for decades by the late Hal Holbrook.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Richard Thomas dons wig and mustache to play icon Mark Twain in one-man play touring the US
Richard Thomas has not one but two big shoes to fill when he goes out on the road this summer in a celebrated one-man show. The Emmy Award winner and Tony Award nominee is portraying the great American writer Mark Twain in a play written and performed for decades by the late Hal Holbrook. Thomas immediately accepted the offer to star in the 90-minute 'Mark Twain Tonight!' that tours more than a dozen states this summer and fall before wondering what he'd gotten himself into. 'I walked down to the street and I said, 'Are you crazy? What are you out of your mind?'' he says, laughing. 'I had to grapple with who's the bigger fool — the man who says, 'Yes, I'll do it' or the man that says, 'No, I won't'?' Holbrook portrayed the popular novelist and humorist for more than a half century starting in 1954, making over 2,300 performances to a collective audience of more than 2 million. He and Thomas were fond of each other and would see each other's work. The show mixes Twain's speeches and passages from his books and letters to offer a multidimensional look at an American icon, who toured the U.S. with appearances. 'I'm going to feel very much like I'm not only following in Hal's footsteps, but in Twain's as well,' says Thomas, who began his career as John-Boy Walton on TV's 'The Waltons' and became a Broadway mainstay. Thomas jokes that Holbrook had 50 years to settle into the role and he has only a year or so. 'I have the advantage on him that he started when he was 30 and he was pretending to be an old man. I'm 74 so I'm right there. That's the one area where I'm up on him.' 'It's time for Twain' The new tour kicks off this week in Hartford, Connecticut — appropriately enough, one of the places Twain lived — and then goes to Maryland, Iowa, Arkansas, North Carolina, Kansas, Tennessee, New York, New Jersey, Utah, California, Arizona, Alabama, Utah and Florida by Christmastime. Then in 2026 — the 60th anniversary of the Broadway premiere — it goes to Texas, Colorado, Wisconsin and Ohio. 'It's time for Twain, you know? I mean, it's always time for Twain, always. He's always relevant because he's utterly and completely us, with warts and all,' says Thomas. The actor will travel with a stage manager and a trunk with his costumes, but all the other elements will be sourced locally by the venues — like desks and chairs, giving each show local touches. 'There's something about doing a show for people in their own community, in their theater that they support, that they raise money for. They're not coming to you as tourists. You're coming to them.' Thomas has done a one-man show before — 'A Distant Country Called Youth' using Tennessee Williams letters — but that allowed him to read from the script on stage. Here he has no such help. ' One of the keys is to balance the light and the shadow, how funny, how outrageous, the polemic and the darkness and the light. You want that balanced beautifully,' he says. Twain represents America Other actors — notably Val Kilmer and Jerry Hardin — have devised one-man shows about the creator of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer, who still manages to fascinate. A new biography of Twain by Ron Chernow came out this year, which Thomas is churning through. Thomas sees Twain as representing America perfectly: 'He just lets it all hang out there. He's mean-spirited; he's generous. He's bigoted; he is progressive. He hates money; he wants to be the richest man in America. All of these fabulous contradictions are on display.' Thomas has lately become a road rat, touring in 'Twelve Angry Men' from 2006-08, 'The Humans' in 2018 and starring as Atticus Finch in Aaron Sorkin's adaptation of 'To Kill a Mockingbird' from 2022-24. Orin Wolf, CEO of tour producer NETworks Presentations, got to watch Thomas on the road in 'To Kill a Mockingbird' and says having him step into Twain will strengthen the theater community across the country 'It's so rare nowadays to have a true star of the road,' Wolf says, calling Thomas 'a breed of actor and artist that they rarely make anymore.' 'I'm delighted to be supporting him and delighted that he's chosen to do this because I think this is something he could also take on for hopefully many years,' he adds. After Twain, Thomas will next be seen on Broadway this spring opposite Renée Elise Goldsberry and Marylouise Burke in David Lindsay-Abaire's new comedy, 'The Balusters.' But first there's the eloquence and wry humor in a show about Twain that reveals he was often a frustrated optimist when it came to America. 'I think it reflects right now a lot of our frustration with how things are going,' says Thomas. 'Will things ever be better and can things ever better? Or are we just doomed to just be this species that is going to constantly eat its own tail and are we ever going to move forward?'
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Richard Thomas dons wig and mustache to play icon Mark Twain in one-man play touring the US
NEW YORK (AP) — Richard Thomas has not one but two big shoes to fill when he goes out on the road this summer in a celebrated one-man show. The Emmy Award winner and Tony Award nominee is portraying the great American writer Mark Twain in a play written and performed for decades by the late Hal Holbrook. Thomas immediately accepted the offer to star in the 90-minute 'Mark Twain Tonight!' that tours more than a dozen states this summer and fall before wondering what he'd gotten himself into. 'I walked down to the street and I said, 'Are you crazy? What are you out of your mind?'' he says, laughing. 'I had to grapple with who's the bigger fool — the man who says, 'Yes, I'll do it' or the man that says, 'No, I won't'?' Holbrook portrayed the popular novelist and humorist for more than a half century starting in 1954, making over 2,300 performances to a collective audience of more than 2 million. He and Thomas were fond of each other and would see each other's work. The show mixes Twain's speeches and passages from his books and letters to offer a multidimensional look at an American icon, who toured the U.S. with appearances. 'I'm going to feel very much like I'm not only following in Hal's footsteps, but in Twain's as well,' says Thomas, who began his career as John-Boy Walton on TV's 'The Waltons' and became a Broadway mainstay. Thomas jokes that Holbrook had 50 years to settle into the role and he has only a year or so. 'I have the advantage on him that he started when he was 30 and he was pretending to be an old man. I'm 74 so I'm right there. That's the one area where I'm up on him.' 'It's time for Twain' The new tour kicks off this week in Hartford, Connecticut — appropriately enough, one of the places Twain lived — and then goes to Maryland, Iowa, Arkansas, North Carolina, Kansas, Tennessee, New York, New Jersey, Utah, California, Arizona, Alabama, Utah and Florida by Christmastime. Then in 2026 — the 60th anniversary of the Broadway premiere — it goes to Texas, Colorado, Wisconsin and Ohio. 'It's time for Twain, you know? I mean, it's always time for Twain, always. He's always relevant because he's utterly and completely us, with warts and all,' says Thomas. The actor will travel with a stage manager and a trunk with his costumes, but all the other elements will be sourced locally by the venues — like desks and chairs, giving each show local touches. 'There's something about doing a show for people in their own community, in their theater that they support, that they raise money for. They're not coming to you as tourists. You're coming to them.' Thomas has done a one-man show before — 'A Distant Country Called Youth' using Tennessee Williams letters — but that allowed him to read from the script on stage. Here he has no such help. 'One of the keys is to balance the light and the shadow, how funny, how outrageous, the polemic and the darkness and the light. You want that balanced beautifully,' he says. Twain represents America Other actors — notably Val Kilmer and Jerry Hardin — have devised one-man shows about the creator of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer, who still manages to fascinate. A new biography of Twain by Ron Chernow came out this year, which Thomas is churning through. Thomas sees Twain as representing America perfectly: 'He just lets it all hang out there. He's mean-spirited; he's generous. He's bigoted; he is progressive. He hates money; he wants to be the richest man in America. All of these fabulous contradictions are on display.' Thomas has lately become a road rat, touring in 'Twelve Angry Men' from 2006-08, 'The Humans' in 2018 and starring as Atticus Finch in Aaron Sorkin's adaptation of 'To Kill a Mockingbird' from 2022-24. Orin Wolf, CEO of tour producer NETworks Presentations, got to watch Thomas on the road in 'To Kill a Mockingbird' and says having him step into Twain will strengthen the theater community across the country 'It's so rare nowadays to have a true star of the road,' Wolf says, calling Thomas 'a breed of actor and artist that they rarely make anymore.' 'I'm delighted to be supporting him and delighted that he's chosen to do this because I think this is something he could also take on for hopefully many years,' he adds. After Twain, Thomas will next be seen on Broadway this spring opposite Renée Elise Goldsberry and Marylouise Burke in David Lindsay-Abaire's new comedy, 'The Balusters.' But first there's the eloquence and wry humor in a show about Twain that reveals he was often a frustrated optimist when it came to America. 'I think it reflects right now a lot of our frustration with how things are going,' says Thomas. 'Will things ever be better and can things ever better? Or are we just doomed to just be this species that is going to constantly eat its own tail and are we ever going to move forward?'
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Old Glory Bank Named as the Fastest Growing Financial Service Provider to Watch in 2025 by CIO Insights Magazine
Leading Pro-America Bank Recognized for Its Unprecedented Growth, Underscored by Its Bold Mission and Cutting-Edge Digital Innovation ELMORE CITY, Okla., July 01, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Old Glory Bank, America's pro-freedom, pro-family, and pro-flag financial institution, is proud to be recognized by CIO Insights, a premier publication showcasing innovation and leadership in the financial technology sector. In the latest issue, CIO Insights describes Old Glory Bank as "a rising leader that has captured the attention of the financial world with its bold vision, rapid growth, and modern approach to banking." The article, titled "Old Glory Bank: Championing Financial Freedom through Innovative Products & Traditional Values," highlights the bank's commitment to serving customers who value faith, family, and freedom. It explores Old Glory Bank's leading-edge digital infrastructure, secure mobile banking platform, and bold stance against the politicization of financial services. Richard Thomas, Editor-in-Chief of CIO Insights, writes, "Old Glory Bank is setting a new standard for what modern financial services should look like." Thomas continues, "As we look toward 2025 and beyond, it is clear that Old Glory Bank is well positioned to not only continue its impressive trajectory but to help shape the future of the financial industry itself." "We are honored to be recognized by CIO Insights," said Mike Ring, CEO of Old Glory Bank. "This feature affirms that you don't have to compromise your values to grow a successful venture. We've built a financial institution that rivals the biggest banks in innovation, and still honors the values of hard-working, patriotic Americans." CIO Insights traces Old Glory Bank's origins over 100 years ago as the first state-chartered bank of Oklahoma, to its historic transformation in 2022, led by its patriotic co-founders Dr. Ben Carson, John Rich, and Larry Elder, to become a bank that stands up against debanking and overreaching government. This strong purpose has fueled Old Glory Bank's growth, which has gone from approximately $10 million in deposits when the first digital account was opened in 2023, to over $220 million in deposits. To achieve this growth of over 2,000%, Old Glory Bank has crafted the ideal formula of forward-thinking innovation and trust-inspiring personal service to its tens of thousands of customers. John Kingma, Chief Product, Technology, and Information Security Officer is highlighted in the CIO Insights feature for his leadership in building Old Glory Bank's groundbreaking technology stack. Kingma comments, "When our customers trust their bank will be there for them, they can focus on building businesses, and raising families, all the things that are foundational not only to an individual's life but to our country's future." As more Americans seek alternatives to politically motivated banking, Old Glory Bank stands at the forefront, delivering modern, secure, FDIC-insured banking services rooted in traditional American principles. To read the full feature, visit About Old Glory Bank Old Glory Bank is an FDIC-insured bank that offers the best mobile banking solutions for consumers and businesses, from sea to shining sea. Old Glory Bank is committed to protecting the Privacy, Security, and Liberty of all Americans and serving those who feel marginalized for believing in the greatness of our country. Old Glory Bank was co-founded by some of the leading voices representing freedom and patriotism, including former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Ben Carson; Radio and Television Host Larry Elder; country music superstar, TV host, entrepreneur, and songwriter, John Rich; and former two-term Governor of Oklahoma, Mary Fallin-Christensen. Visit We Stand with You. Member FDIC. Follow us on our social media accounts. X: @oldglorybank, Facebook: Old Glory Bank, Instagram: @oldglorybank, Truth: @oldglorybank, Rumble: @oldglorybank, YouTube: Old Glory Bank, LinkedIn: Old Glory Bank, View source version on Contacts For more information or to interview Mike Ring about ownership opportunities, contact media@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Wire
01-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Old Glory Bank Named as the Fastest Growing Financial Service Provider to Watch in 2025 by CIO Insights Magazine
ELMORE CITY, Okla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Old Glory Bank, America's pro-freedom, pro-family, and pro-flag financial institution, is proud to be recognized by CIO Insights, a premier publication showcasing innovation and leadership in the financial technology sector. In the latest issue, CIO Insights describes Old Glory Bank as 'a rising leader that has captured the attention of the financial world with its bold vision, rapid growth, and modern approach to banking.' The article, titled 'Old Glory Bank: Championing Financial Freedom through Innovative Products & Traditional Values,' highlights the bank's commitment to serving customers who value faith, family, and freedom. It explores Old Glory Bank's leading-edge digital infrastructure, secure mobile banking platform, and bold stance against the politicization of financial services. Richard Thomas, Editor-in-Chief of CIO Insights, writes, 'Old Glory Bank is setting a new standard for what modern financial services should look like.' Thomas continues, 'As we look toward 2025 and beyond, it is clear that Old Glory Bank is well positioned to not only continue its impressive trajectory but to help shape the future of the financial industry itself.' 'We are honored to be recognized by CIO Insights,' said Mike Ring, CEO of Old Glory Bank. 'This feature affirms that you don't have to compromise your values to grow a successful venture. We've built a financial institution that rivals the biggest banks in innovation, and still honors the values of hard-working, patriotic Americans.' CIO Insights traces Old Glory Bank's origins over 100 years ago as the first state-chartered bank of Oklahoma, to its historic transformation in 2022, led by its patriotic co-founders Dr. Ben Carson, John Rich, and Larry Elder, to become a bank that stands up against debanking and overreaching government. This strong purpose has fueled Old Glory Bank's growth, which has gone from approximately $10 million in deposits when the first digital account was opened in 2023, to over $220 million in deposits. To achieve this growth of over 2,000%, Old Glory Bank has crafted the ideal formula of forward-thinking innovation and trust-inspiring personal service to its tens of thousands of customers. John Kingma, Chief Product, Technology, and Information Security Officer is highlighted in the CIO Insights feature for his leadership in building Old Glory Bank's groundbreaking technology stack. Kingma comments, 'When our customers trust their bank will be there for them, they can focus on building businesses, and raising families, all the things that are foundational not only to an individual's life but to our country's future.' As more Americans seek alternatives to politically motivated banking, Old Glory Bank stands at the forefront, delivering modern, secure, FDIC-insured banking services rooted in traditional American principles. To read the full feature, visit About Old Glory Bank Old Glory Bank is an FDIC-insured bank that offers the best mobile banking solutions for consumers and businesses, from sea to shining sea. Old Glory Bank is committed to protecting the Privacy, Security, and Liberty of all Americans and serving those who feel marginalized for believing in the greatness of our country. Old Glory Bank was co-founded by some of the leading voices representing freedom and patriotism, including former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Ben Carson; Radio and Television Host Larry Elder; country music superstar, TV host, entrepreneur, and songwriter, John Rich; and former two-term Governor of Oklahoma, Mary Fallin-Christensen. Visit We Stand with You. Member FDIC. Follow us on our social media accounts. X: @oldglorybank, Facebook: Old Glory Bank, Instagram: @oldglorybank, Truth: @oldglorybank, Rumble: @oldglorybank,
