Richard Thomas on Reviving Mark Twain Tonight! and His Love for Fort Worth

The Genesis of "Mark Twain Tonight!"

• 🎭 The performance piece "Mark Twain Tonight!" was the life's work of actor Hal Holbrook, who compiled Twain's stories, quotes, and satirical observations on politics and religion.
• 📞 Following Holbrook's passing, his estate contacted Richard Thomas, seeking to revive the show, a proposition Thomas enthusiastically accepted.

Richard Thomas's Connection to Mark Twain

• 🌟 Thomas felt a personal connection to the role, believing he was the right age and had an affinity for embodying the character.
• 🎭 He describes the show as a 90-minute reacquaintance with one of America's greatest satirical minds, known for his sharp wit sugarcoated with comedy.
• 🇺🇸 Twain is presented not just as a writer but as a reflection of America itself, embodying its contradictions and holding a mirror up to society from the mid-19th century into the 20th.

The Enduring Need for Satire

• 💬 Thomas emphasizes the current need for satire, humorously calling out for voices like Mark Twain and George Carlin.
• 🤝 Twain's satire is unique because he never talks down to the audience, admitting his own frailties and making the audience feel complicit rather than lectured.
• 😂 The performance offers a biting yet fun look at human nature, delivered with Twain's characteristic humor.

Appreciation for Fort Worth

• 🏛️ Thomas expresses a deep affection for Fort Worth, particularly its art museums like the Kimbell, Amon Carter, and Modern Art Museum, calling them pilgrimage sites.
• 👏 He recalls a wonderful and warm audience experience at Bass Hall during a previous visit and is thrilled to return.
• 🎶 Despite a tight schedule, Thomas is eager to return to Fort Worth, even bringing his signature white suit for the occasion.