Thommie Walsh
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Thommie Walsh (March 15, 1950 – June 16, 2007) was a Tony Award-winning American dancer, choreographer, and director.
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[edit] Early life and career
Born as Thomas Joseph Walsh III in Auburn, New York, he was interested in dance from the age of five[1], but seriously considered foregoing it as a career when he was rejected by Juilliard. He enrolled in the Boston Conservatory of Music but departed during his junior year to tour with Disney on Parade. Following that he joined the national tour of Applause, departing to accept a small role in the film version of Jesus Christ Superstar.
[edit] A Chorus Line
Walsh made his Broadway debut in the chorus of Seesaw in 1973, the same year in which he appeared in the disastrous Broadway flop Rachael Lily Rosenbloom (And Don't You Ever Forget It), which starred Ellen Greene and Anita Morris.
In 1975 Walsh was invited by choreographer Tony Stevens to participate in a series of frank conversations among Broadway dancers, known as "gypsies," about their experiences, hopes, and dreams. The result was Michael Bennett's A Chorus Line (1976), in which he originated the role of Bobby. The role of Bobby was in large part, based on his life and also used material from a comedy stand-up routine he used at the time. He co-wrote a book with Baayork Lee, another Chorus Line cast member, about the musical's origins and evolution, entitled On the Line, which was published by William Morrow in 1990.[2]
[edit] Choreography and Direction
Walsh soon abandoned his dancing career to concentrate on choreography, musical staging, and direction. His credits include The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1978) with Chorus cast member Pam Blair, A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine (1980), with Chorus cast member Priscilla Lopez, Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up? (1982), Nine (1982), My One and Only (1983) with Chorus cast member Ron Dennis, Marilyn: An American Fable (1983), and My Favorite Year (1992).
He also directed Donna McKechnie's one-woman show Inside the Music (2002).
At the time of his death, he was preparing a musical adaptation of A Tale of Two Cities for a Broadway opening. Much of his best work was done in collaboration with Tommy Tune including The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
[edit] Awards and nominations
- 1983 Tony Award for Best Choreography (My One And Only, winner)
- 1983 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical (My One And Only, nominee)
- 1983 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Choreography (My One And Only, winner)
- 1982 Tony Award for Best Choreography (Nine, nominee)
- 1980 Tony Award for Best Choreography (A Day in Hollywood / A Night in the Ukraine, winner)
- 1976 Theatre World Award for Ensemble Performance (A Chorus Line, winner)
[edit] Death
Thommie Walsh died on June 16, 2007 at his home from lymphoma, aged 57. [3]
[edit] Sources
- On the Line: The Creation of a Chorus Line by Robert Viagas, Baayork Lee, and Thommie Walsh, published by William Morrow (1990), ISBN 0-688-08429-X
