Thomas Joseph "Thommie" Walsh III (March 15, 1950 – June 16, 2007) was an American

dancer Dance is a performing art form consisting of sequences of movement, either improvised or purposefully selected. This movement has aesthetic and often symbolic value. Dance can be categorized and described by its choreography, by its repertoi ...

choreographer Choreography is the art or practice of designing sequences of movements of physical bodies (or their depictions) in which motion or form or both are specified. ''Choreography'' may also refer to the design itself. A choreographer is one who cr ...

, director, and author.

Biography

Thommie Walsh was born in

Auburn, New York Auburn is a city in Cayuga County, New York, United States. Located at the north end of Owasco Lake, one of the Finger Lakes in Central New York, the city had a population of 26,866 at the 2020 census. It is the largest city of Cayuga County, the ...

, and began to study dance at age five at the Irma Baker School of Dance. When Irma retired, Thommie traveled to Syracuse NY weekly to continue his dance training under David Shields. After high school, he majored in Dance and minored in Musical Theater at the

Boston Conservatory of Music Boston Conservatory at Berklee (formerly The Boston Conservatory) is a private performing arts conservatory in Boston, Massachusetts. It grants undergraduate and graduate degrees in dance, music, and theater. Boston Conservatory was founded ...

from 1968 - 1971, but left during his junior year, with an associates degree, to tour with ''Disney on Parade''.Barran, Kathleen
"School to honor Auburn's Walsh"
'' The Auburn Citizen'', May 12, 2008 He joined the national tour of ''

Applause Applause (Latin ''applaudere,'' to strike upon, clap) is primarily a form of ovation or praise expressed by the act of clapping, or striking the palms of the hands together, in order to create noise. Audiences usually applaud after a performance ...

'', starring

Lauren Bacall Lauren Bacall (; born Betty Joan Perske; September 16, 1924 – August 12, 2014) was an American actress. She was named the 20th-greatest female star of classic Hollywood cinema by the American Film Institute and received an Academy Honorary Aw ...

, and the company of ''The Ann-Margret Las Vegas Show''. He was in the film version of ''

Jesus Christ Superstar ''Jesus Christ Superstar'' is a sung-through rock opera with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. Loosely based on the Gospels' accounts of the Passion, the work interprets the psychology of Jesus and other characters, with ...

'' as the apostle Thaddeus. Walsh made his Broadway debut in the chorus of ''

Seesaw A seesaw (also known as a teeter-totter or teeterboard) is a long, narrow board supported by a single pivot point, most commonly located at the midpoint between both ends; as one end goes up, the other goes down. These are most commonly found a ...

'' in 1973. Also in 1973 he appeared in the flop ''

Rachael Lily Rosenbloom (And Don't You Ever Forget It) ''Rachael Lily Rosenbloom (And Don't You Ever Forget It)'' is a musical with a book by Paul Jabara and Tom Eyen, music by Jabara, and lyrics by Jabara, David Debin, and Paul Issa. The convoluted plot revolves around the misadventures of the tit ...

'', which starred

Ellen Greene Ellen Greene is an American actress and singer. She has had a long and varied career as a singer, particularly in cabaret, as an actress and singer in numerous stage productions, particularly musical theatre, as well as having performed in many ...

and

Anita Morris Anita Rose Morris (March 14, 1943 – March 2, 1994) was an American actress, singer and dancer. She began her career performing in Broadway musicals, including '' Jesus Christ Superstar'', ''Seesaw'' and ''Nine'', for which she received a Tony Aw ...

, and did not officially open on Broadway after 7 previews.

''A Chorus Line''

In 1975 Walsh was invited by choreographer

Tony Stevens Tony Stevens (born 12 September 1949) is an English musician, best known as the bassist with the bands Foghat, Savoy Brown, and Nobody's Business. Career Stevens joined the British blues-rock band Savoy Brown in 1968, and contributed to ...

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 ''A Chorus Line'' is a 1975 musical with music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Edward Kleban, and a book by James Kirkwood Jr. and Nicholas Dante. Set on the bare stage of a Broadway theater, the musical is centered on seventeen Broadway dancers ...

'', in which he originated the role of Bobby. The musical opened on Broadway on July 25, 1975. 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. (Samples: "I thought about killing myself, but then I realized to commit suicide in Buffalo is redundant." and "I used to break into people's houses. I didn't steal anything; I'd just rearrange their furniture.") He co-wrote a book with

Baayork Lee Baayork Lee (born December 5, 1946) is an American actress, singer, dancer, choreographer, theatre director, and author. Early life and career Lee was born in New York City's Chinatown, to an Indian mother and Chinese father. She started dancing ...

, another ''Chorus Line'' cast member, about the musical's origins and evolution, entitled ''On the Line'', published by William Morrow in 1990.

Choreography and direction

Walsh soon left his dancing career to concentrate on choreography, musical staging, and direction. His credits include ''

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas ''The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas'' is a musical with a book by Texas author Larry L. King and Peter Masterson and music and lyrics by Carol Hall. It is based on a story by King that was inspired by the real-life Chicken Ranch in La Grange ...

'' (1978 and 1982) with ''Chorus'' cast member Pam Blair, ''

The 1940's Radio Hour ''The Radio Hour'' is a musical by Walton Jones. Using popular songs from the 1940s, it portrays the final holiday broadcast of the Mutual Manhattan Variety Cavalcade on the New York radio station WOV in December 1942. Plot A little New York Cit ...

'' (1979), ''

A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine ''A Day in Hollywood / A Night in the Ukraine'' is a musical comedy consisting of two essentially independent one-act plays, with a book and lyrics by Dick Vosburgh and music by Frank Lazarus. Additionally, songs by other composers are incorporat ...

'' (1980), with ''Chorus'' cast member

Priscilla Lopez Priscilla Lopez (born February 26, 1948) is an American singer, dancer, and actress. She is perhaps best known for creating the role of Diana Morales in ''A Chorus Line''. She has had the distinction of appearing in two Broadway landmarks: one o ...

, ''

Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up? ''Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?'' is a novel published in 1975 by author John R. Powers. It was subsequently adapted into a Broadway musical and a screenplay. Film in development Director and author Ken Kwapis (''Sisterhood of ...

'' (1982), ''

Nine 9 is a number, numeral, and glyph. 9 or nine may also refer to: Dates * AD 9, the ninth year of the AD era * 9 BC, the ninth year before the AD era * 9, numerical symbol for the month of September Places * Nine, Portugal, a parish in the ...

'' (1982), '' My One and Only'' (1983) with ''Chorus'' cast member Ron Dennis,"Thommie Walsh Broadway"
''Playbill'', accessed June 26, 2016 '' Marilyn: An American Fable'' (1983), and ''

My Favorite Year ''My Favorite Year'' is a 1982 American comedy film released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, directed by Richard Benjamin and written by Norman Steinberg and Dennis Palumbo from a story written by Palumbo. The film tells the story of a young comedy write ...

'' (1992). He received the

Tony Tony may refer to: People and fictional characters * Tony (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters * Gregory Tony (born 1978), American law enforcement officer * Motu Tony (born 1981), New Zealand international rugby leagu ...

and

Drama Desk Awards The Drama Desk Award is an annual prize recognizing excellence in New York theatre. First bestowed in 1955 as the Vernon Rice Award, the prize initially honored Off-Broadway productions, as well as Off-off-Broadway, and those in the vicinity. Fo ...

for his choreography in ''

'' and '' My One and Only'' which also earned him a Tony nomination for best direction. He went on to direct ''

Lucky Stiff ''Lucky Stiff'' is a musical farce. It was the first collaboration for the team of Lynn Ahrens (book and lyrics) and Stephen Flaherty (music). The show is based on the 1983 novel ''The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo'' by Michael Butt ...

'' Off-Broadway in 1988 the musical ''Always'' in 1997 (West End debut), and ''A Broadway Baby'' at

Goodspeed Opera House Goodspeed Musicals is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and advancement of musical theater and the creation of new works, located in East Haddam, Connecticut. A distinctive feature of the view from the Connecticut River, th ...

in 1984. With such a developed reputation in the industry, Walsh was brought in as a show doctor on many of Broadway's shows during the 1980s, such as ''The Grand Tour'', ''Black and Blue'', ''The Tap Dance Kid''; he also choreographed many numbers in ''

Grand Hotel A grand hotel is a large and luxurious hotel, especially one housed in a building with traditional architectural style. It began to flourish in the 1800s in Europe and North America. Grand Hotel may refer to: Hotels Africa * Grande Hotel Beir ...

''. Walsh has also directed and staged musical numbers for

Chita Rivera Chita Rivera (born Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero Anderson; January 23, 1933), is an American actress, singer and dancer best known for originating roles in Broadway musicals including Anita in ''West Side Story'', Velma Kelly in ''Chica ...

Sandy Duncan Sandra Kay Duncan (born February 20, 1946) is an American actress, comedian, dancer and singer. She is known for her performances in the Broadway revival of ''Peter Pan'' and in the sitcom ''The Hogan Family''. Duncan has been nominated for thr ...

Mitzi Gaynor Mitzi Gaynor (born Francesca Marlene de Czanyi von Gerber; September 4, 1931) is an American actress, singer, and dancer. Her notable films include '' We're Not Married!'' (1952), '' There's No Business Like Show Business'' (1954), '' The Birds ...

Donna McKechnie Donna McKechnie (born November 16, 1942) is an American musical theater dancer, singer, actress, and choreographer. She is known for her professional and personal relationship with choreographer Michael Bennett, with whom she collaborated on ...

Whoopi Goldberg Caryn Elaine Johnson (born November 13, 1955), known professionally as Whoopi Goldberg (), is an American actor, comedian, author, and television personality.Kuchwara, Michael (AP Drama Writer)"Whoopi Goldberg: A One-Woman Character Parade". ' ...

Lorna Luft Lorna Luft (born November 21, 1952) is an American actress, author, and singer. She is the daughter of Judy Garland and Sidney Luft and the half-sister of Liza Minnelli. Early life Luft was born on November 21, 1952, at Saint John's Health Cent ...

Joel Grey Joel Grey (born Joel David Katz; April 11, 1932) is an American actor, singer, dancer, photographer and theatre director. He is best known for portraying the Master of Ceremonies in the musical '' Cabaret'' on Broadway as well as in the 1972 fi ...

Barbara Cook Barbara Cook (October 25, 1927 – August 8, 2017) was an American actress and singer who first came to prominence in the 1950s as the lead in the original Broadway musicals ''Plain and Fancy'' (1955), ''Candide'' (1956) and ''The Music Man'' (19 ...

, and Julie Budd. Walsh also directed and choreographed many commercials such as the NY Lottery, Perdue Chicken, Crush, and MCI. Walsh's last direction and choreography before his death was the national tour of ''The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas'' starring

Ann-Margret Ann-Margret Olsson (born April 28, 1941) is a Swedish–American actress, singer, and dancer. As an actress and singer, she is credited as Ann-Margret. She is known for her roles in ''Pocketful of Miracles'' (1961), ''State Fair'' (1962), ''B ...

and

Gary Sandy Gary Lee Sandy (born December 25, 1945) is an American actor. He is best known for playing program director Andy Travis on the television sitcom ''WKRP in Cincinnati'' (1978-1982). Early life and education Sandy was born in Dayton, Ohio, the ...

. At the time of his death, he was working on a musical adaptation of ''

A Tale of Two Cities ''A Tale of Two Cities'' is a historical novel published in 1859 by Charles Dickens, set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution. The novel tells the story of the French Doctor Manette, his 18-year-long imprisonment in the ...

'' as choreographer, for a Broadway opening." 'A Tale of Two Cities' to Debut at Sarasota's Asolo Theatre in October"
broadway.com, March 5, 2007 Much of his work was done in collaboration with

Tommy Tune Thomas James Tune (born February 28, 1939) is an American actor, dancer, singer, theatre director, producer, and choreographer. Over the course of his career, he has won ten Tony Awards, the National Medal of Arts, and a star on the Hollywood Wal ...

, including ''The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas''. He also was a judge for Miss America, Danny Hoctor's Dance Caravan and Stars of Tomorrow in conjunction with the Professional Dance Teachers Association. The last show Thommie directed was Greetings from Yorkville, which opened off Broadway on October 4th, 2007 and ran through November 11, 2007, post Thommie's death in June.

Personal life

Thommie Walsh died on June 16, 2007 at his

home from lymphoma at age 57.Gans, Andrew
"Thommie Walsh, Tony-Winning Choreographer, Dead at 57"
''Playbill'', June 17, 2007 On Friday May 18, 2018 Thommie became the first person inducted posthumously into the Auburn Alumni Hall of Distinction. Thommie is survived by his sister Barbara Walsh, who is also an avid supporter of the arts. Thommie's hometown theater, The Rev Theater Co. (formerly the Finger Lakes Musical Theater Festival at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse) created the Thommie Walsh Memorial Scholarship in 2018. The scholarship is given to an Auburn native who wishes to pursue a career in the performing arts. The theater has brought in friends of Thommie's, including Julie Budd, Michele Lee, Lucie Arnaz, and Tommy Tune, who have performed concerts to raise money for the scholarship fund.

Awards and nominations

;Awards * 1976

Theatre World Award The Theatre World Award is an American honor presented annually to actors and actresses in recognition of an outstanding New York City stage debut performance, either on Broadway theatre, Broadway or Off-Broadway. It was first awarded for the 1945� ...

for Ensemble Performance – ''A Chorus Line'' * 1980 Tony Award for Outstanding Choreography – ''A Day in Hollywood /A Night in the Ukraine'' * 1980 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Choreography – ''A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine'' * 1983 Tony Award for Outstanding Choreography – ''My One And Only'' * 1983 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Choreography- ''My One And Only'' ;Nominations * 1982 Tony Award for Outstanding Choreography – ''Nine'' * 1983 Tony Award for Outstanding Direction of a Musical – ''My One And Only''

Bibliography

References

External links

Thommie Walsh official websiteInternet Broadway database
* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Walsh, Thommie 1950 births 2007 deaths American choreographers American male dancers 20th-century American memoirists American theatre directors Deaths from lymphoma Drama Desk Award winners Artists from Auburn, New York Tony Award winners Deaths from cancer in New York (state) 20th-century American dancers