Matthew James Elwyn Thomas(born 3 March 1988), also occasionally credited asMatthew Thomas,[2]is a British actor who has made appearances in television, film, and theater. He is known for his television roles includingThe Lost Prince,and theITVdrama-musical show,Britannia High.In the U.S., Thomas is best known for having played the title role in the 2013 Broadway revival ofPippin,[3]which received aTony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.He was also a late addition to the U.S. national tour ofPippinin 2014.[4]He had hisBroadwaydebut in 2010 playingPeter ParkerinSpider-Man: Turn Off the Dark[5]directed byJulie Taymor,with music byU2'sBonoandThe Edge.
Matthew James Thomas | |
|---|---|
| Born | Matthew James Elwyn Thomas[1] 3 March 1988 |
| Alma mater | Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1999–present |
In 2013, Thomas was nominated for anOuter Critics Circle Awardfor Outstanding Actor in a Musical for his performance in the title role inPippin,[6]and, in 2015, he was nominated for aHelen Hayes Awardfor Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical for his performance as Fenwick in theBarry Levinson-produced musical,Diner.[7]In 2016 he performed the role of Riff inWest Side Storyat the Hollywood Bowl with the LA Philharmonic orchestra, conducted byGustavo Dudamel,alongside fellow Broadway actorsJeremy JordanandKaren Olivo.[8]
Early life and education
editThomas trained at theSylvia Young Theatre Schoolin London[9]and later at theItalia Conti Academy of Theatre Artsalso in London.[10]He grew up largely inBuckinghamshire,England.[4]His first professional acting job came at the age of eight when he played Kipper in a production ofOliver!in theWest End.[9][10]As a child, he also appeared as Simon inBilly Elliotand inAbout a Boy,starringHugh Grant.[3]Additionally, Thomas made frequent appearances on numerous British television shows, includingWonderful You,The Bill,Bad Girls,andStephen Poliakoff'sThe Lost Prince,among others.[11]
Career
editFor much of his early career, Thomas worked on the screen and stage in films, television shows, musicals, and plays. Prior to coming to Broadway, Thomas acted in numerous London-based and West End plays. He had a featured role as Clarence inAndrew Lloyd Webber's musical version ofWhistle Down the Wind.[12]Other UK roles include: Schlomo inFame,directed by Karen Bruce, Wayne in an adaption of Ben Elton's Novel –Popcorn,directed by Lee Morgan at the Landor Fringe Theatre,Romeo and Juliet,andDick Whittington,directed by award-winning directorGillian Lynne.[11][13][14][15]
In 2008, Thomas was cast as Jeremy (Jez) Tyler in theITVtelevision drama musical,Britannia High,created byArlene Phillips.Over 3,000 people auditioned for roles as one of the six lead characters on the show. The series ran for nine episodes in the latter half of 2008.[16]Less than a year later, Thomas earned the title role in the musical adaptation ofOscar Wilde'sThe Picture of Dorian Gray.The musical ran from 2 July to 2 August 2009 at theLeicester Square Theatre.It was directed by Linnie Reedman and the music composed by Joe Evans.[17]
In 2010, Thomas appeared in an episode of the ITV series,Midsomer MurdersalongsideJohn Nettles,Sylvestra Le Touzel,Lydia Wilson,andRichard Fleeshman.[18]Also in 2010, Thomas ventured to New York City and Broadway where he earned a role as the alternate lead inJulie Taymor'sSpider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.Thomas played Peter Parker/Spider-Manfor two performances each week whileReeve Carneytook on the role six times per week.[19]The play was staged at theLyric Theatre,which, at the time, was known as the Foxwoods Theatre. In November 2011, Thomas was injured backstage during a Wednesday matinee performance. The injury was not considered serious.[20]
Thomas' final performance as Spider-Man was on 10 November 2012. He left the show to perform in the lead role in theAmerican Repertory Theater's revival ofPippin,directed byDiane Paulus.[21]In 2013, the show moved fromCambridge,Massachusetts to theMusic Box Theatreon Broadway. It officially opened at the Music Box on 25 April 2013.[9]During the show's Broadway run, Thomas starred in eight shows each week, alongside co-starsPatina Miller,Terrence Mann,andAndrea Martin.[22]Pippinwon theTony Awardfor Best Revival of a Musical in 2013.[3]
In 2013, Thomas released a three-trackEPof original songs entitled,No Sound at All.The album was produced byDuncan Sheik.[11]In early 2014, it was reported that Thomas was in contention for the lead role in the upcoming film,Star Wars: The Force Awakens.[23]At the end ofPippin's Broadway run in 2014, Thomas joined his parents inMaltafor their anniversary celebration. Almost immediately after arriving, he received a phone call asking him to reprise his role as Pippin for the U.S. national tour, which was opening inDenverin eight days. Kyle Selig, the actor originally hired to play Pippin for the tour, had been put onvocal rest.[4]Thomas filled in and continued in the role for later dates on the tour, including those for Los Angeles and San Francisco.[24]
In late 2014 and early 2015, Thomas starred as Fenwick in a musical adaptation of Barry Levinson's 1982 film,Diner.The play was produced by Levinson and Scott Landis, and the music was written bySheryl Crow.The musical was developed at theSignature TheatreinArlington,Virginia and was directed byKathleen Marshall.[25][26][27]The play was well-received and sold out its entire run at the Signature Theatre.[28]
In March 2015, Thomas appeared as Henry Paine in a pilot episode for a planned HBO drama series,The Devil You Know,co-created byOrange Is the New Blackcreator Jenji Kohan, but the series was not picked up and the pilot went unaired.[29][30]In 2017 he appeared in the main cast of another pilot episode, for a planned medical drama,Shelter,created by Law & order veteranWarren Leight,but the series was again not picked up.[31]
Recognition and awards
editThomas played the title role inPippin,which won the 2013 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. The musical was nominated for a total of 10 awards and won 4.[32]Thomas' performance inPippinearned him a nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical by the Outer Critics Circle Awards.[6]In 2015, Thomas was nominated for theHelen Hayes Awardfor Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical (HAYES Production) for his performance inDiner.[7][33]
List of credits
editTelevision
edit| Year | Title | Role | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Wonderful You | Joe, Henry's nephew | Mini-series | |
| The Bill | Karl Drake | ITV |
Series 15 episode 25"Look Away Now" | |
| 2000 | Bad Girls | Tom Fenner | ITV |
Series 2 episode 3"Visiting Time" |
| Care | Brian | Drama | ||
| 2002 | Spooks | Demonstrator | Series 1 episode 4"Traitor's Gate" | |
| 2003 | The Lost Prince | Prince John(older) | BBC One |
Drama |
| Trevor's World of Sport | Toby | BBC One |
Mini-series | |
| 2004 | Shane | Spotty kid | ITV |
Series 1 episode 2 |
| 2005 | Afterlife | Bardo's Lawyer | ITV |
Series 1 episode 2 "Lower Than Bones" |
| 2007 | Desperados | Gary Black | Series 1 episode 10 | |
| Doctors | Mickey Carly | BBC One |
Series 9 episode 39 "Victim Support" | |
| Genie in the House | Dave | Series 2 episode 22"Mr Write" | ||
| 2008 | Britannia High | Jez Tyler | ITV |
Main cast |
| 2010 | Casualty | Gary Yates | BBC One |
Series 24 episode 24"Love Is A Battlefield" |
| Midsomer Murders | Orlando Guest | ITV |
Series 13 episode 5"Master Class" |
Theatre credits
edit| Year | Title | Role | Theatre | Director(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | The Picture of Dorian Gray | Dorian Gray | Leicester Square Theatre | Linnie Reedman | |
| 2010–12 | Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark | Peter Parker/Spider-Man(alternate) | Foxwoods Theatre | Julie Taymor | |
| 2012 | Pippin | Pippin | American Repertory Theater | Diane Paulus | |
| 2013 | Music Box Theatre | ||||
| 2014 | U.S. National Tour | [34] | |||
| 2015 | Diner | Fenwick | Signature Theatre | Kathleen Marshall | [35] |
| 2016 | Delaware Theatre Company | [36][37] | |||
| 2016 | West Side Story | Riff | Hollywood Bowl | Gustavo Dudamel | |
| 2017 | Time and the Conways | Robin Conway | American Airlines Theatre | Rebecca Taichman |
Film
edit| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | The Blind Date | Matthew Davey |
| Billy Elliot | Simon | |
| 2002 | About a Boy | Candy thrower |
Discography
edit- Overrated Life(2005)
References
edit- ^"@matthewjethomas"onTwitter
- ^"Matthew James Thomas".IBDB.com.Internet Broadway Database.Retrieved16 April2015.
- ^abcHalterman, Jim (1 November 2013)."Matthew James Thomas On" Pippin "And His Own Music".The Backlot.Retrieved16 April2015.
- ^abcMoore, John (20 September 2014)."The 'Pippin' Profiles: Matthew James Thomas on being shot out of a cannon".Denver Center for the Performing Arts.Retrieved16 April2015.
- ^Healy, Patrick (16 November 2010)."Wary of Demanding Lead Role, 'Spider-Man' Producers Eye Use of Backup".The New York Times.Retrieved16 April2015.
- ^abCox, Gordon (22 April 2013)."'Pippin' Hot With Outer Critics Circle Nominators ".Variety.Retrieved28 April2015.
- ^ab"2015 Helen Hayes Awards nominations".The Washington Post.26 January 2015.Retrieved17 April2015.
- ^"Jeremy Jordan and Karen Olivo Set for West Side Story at the Hollywood Bowl".TheaterMania.com.Retrieved23 July2017.
- ^abcEvans, Suzy (26 March 2013)."6 Acting Lessons From 'Pippin's' Matthew James Thomas".Backstage.Retrieved16 April2015.
- ^abBarrett, Hannah (1 July 2013)."Matthew James Thomas is EXTRAORDINARY".Broadway Master Chat. Archived fromthe originalon 5 March 2016.Retrieved16 April2015.
- ^abcGans, Andrew (19 June 2013).""No Sound at All," New EP from Pippin's Matthew James Thomas, Now Available ".Playbill.Retrieved16 April2015.
- ^Sweetbriar, BeBe (15 July 2013)."Broadway's 'Pippin' sounds off with 'No Sound at All'".Edge Media Network.Retrieved16 April2015.
- ^"Win tickets to see Dick Whittington at Sadler's Wells".The Independent.12 December 1999.Archivedfrom the original on 12 May 2022.Retrieved7 May2015.
- ^"Cast & Creative".Fame The Musical.Retrieved7 May2015.
- ^"Projects – Fame".Ian H Watkins.Retrieved7 May2015.
- ^Osborn, Michael (24 October 2008)."'Fame' recalled in Britannia High ".BBC News.Retrieved16 April2015.
- ^Amer, Matthew (28 May 2009)."Leicester Square return for Dorian Gray".Official London Theatre.Retrieved16 April2015.
- ^"Spider-Man's Matthew James Thomas Pays a Visit to Pal Richard Fleeshman at Ghost".Broadway.com.10 July 2012.Retrieved16 April2015.
- ^Gans, Andrew (5 November 2010)."Will Matthew James Thomas Share Title Role in Spider-Man With Reeve Carney?".Playbill.Retrieved16 April2015.
- ^Gans, Andrew (10 November 2011)."Spider-Man Star Matthew James Thomas Injured Backstage at the Foxwoods Theatre".Playbill.Retrieved16 April2015.
- ^Gilbert, Ryan (12 November 2012)."Spider-Man's Matthew James Thomas Takes Off Spidey's Mask to Put on Pippin's Crown".Broadway.com.Retrieved16 April2015.
- ^Lewis, Casey (19 August 2013)."Meet 'Pippin' Star Matthew James Thomas, Broadway's Biggest New Talent".Teen Vogue.Retrieved16 April2015.
- ^Kroll, Justin (12 March 2014)."'Star Wars Episode VII': Actors Battle for Lead Role (EXCLUSIVE) ".Variety.Retrieved16 April2015.
- ^"Matthew James Thomas to Continue as Lead for PIPPIN's LA and San Francisco Premiere; Kyle Selig on Vocal Rest".Broadway World.2 September 2014.Retrieved16 April2015.
- ^Lloyd Webber, Imogen (4 November 2014)."Matthew James Thomas, Derek Klena & More to Star in World Premiere of Sheryl Crow's Diner".Broadway.com.Retrieved16 April2015.
- ^Marks, Peter (18 March 2014)."Sheryl Crow, Barry Levinson to bring musical 'Diner' to Washington".The Washington Post.Retrieved28 April2015.
- ^Kaufman, Sarah (9 December 2014)."How 'Diner' director Kathleen Marshall plans to fend off fanboys".The Washington Post.Retrieved28 April2015.
- ^Smith, Tim (31 December 2014)."Musical 'Diner' sells out entire run at Signature Theatre [Update]".The Baltimore Sun.Retrieved28 April2015.
- ^"Pippin Star Matthew James Thomas Joins New HBO Pilot by Orange Is the New Black Creator".Theater Mania. 13 March 2015.Retrieved16 April2015.
- ^Petski, Denise (13 March 2015)."HBO Pilot 'The Devil You Know': Ever Carradine & Damien Molony Among Additions".Deadline Hollywood.Retrieved28 April2015.
- ^Petski, Denise (24 February 2017)."'For God & Country' NBC Pilot Casts Hadi Tabbal; Warren Leight-Paul Haggis Pilot Adds 2 ".Deadline Hollywood.Retrieved23 July2017.
- ^"Tony Awards 2013 winners and nominees: Complete list".Los Angeles Times.30 April 2013.Retrieved17 April2015.
- ^Markowitz, Joel (6 April 2015)."Here Are The Recipients of This Year's 2015 Helen Hayes Awards – in Order of Presentation With 2 Videos".DC Metro Theater Arts.Retrieved17 April2015.
- ^Gans, Andrew (2 September 2014)."Matthew James Thomas Will Step into Title Role for Launch of Pippin Tour".Playbill.
- ^"Signature Theatre Announces Cast for Sheryl Crow's DINER Musical; Whitney Bashor, Bryan Fenkart & More Set to Star!".Broadway World.4 November 2014.
- ^Hetrick, Adam (6 November 2015)."Exclusive: Latest Incarnation of Sheryl Crow Musical 'Diner' Will Star Derek Klena, Matthew James Thomas and Noah Weisberg".Playbill.
- ^Simoes, Monica (10 December 2015)."Onstage Pics! Delaware Theatre Company Serves Up the New Sheryl Crow Musical Diner".Playbill.