Daniel Thomas is a 2008/2009 Ovation Nominee for Music Direction for THE PRODUCERS at Musical Theatre West.
If you’d like to add a congratulatory message for Daniel (or any other Nominee or Nominated Company), to the Ovation Awards commemorative poster (distributed to all nominees and all attendees at the Ceremony), click here!
As an Ovation Award Nominee, LA Stage asked Daniel the following questions:
What was the moment that first inspired you to pursue working in the theatre?
I had dabbled in theater through high school, and then, on the opening night of my senior musical, during the bows the audience leapt to their feet and my teeth buzzed from excitement.
What do you feel made the production you were nominated for particularly successful, either overall or for you specifically?
It was not only one of the most talented groups of artists I have been involved with, including actors, directors, designers and musicians, but also one of the warmest and nicest groups.
What project or projects are you currently working on?
I just finished MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS for Musical Theatre West and A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING for the Norris Theater, and am looking forward to whatever 2010 brings!
What do you love most about theatre in Los Angeles?
It’s a very large circle and a very small circle at the same time. Whether it’s opening night or margarita night, you’ll always run into a bunch of people you know and love, some of whom you saw last week, and some whom you haven’t seen for 10 years.
What’s your dream project?
I don’t know if I have one particular dream project; I’ve been fortunate in that almost every project I’ve done has fulfilled some goal of mine and allowed me to grow as an artist.
Biography: DANIEL THOMAS” regional musical direction credits include THE PRODUCERS, MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE and THE PAJAMA GAME for Musical Theatre West; the West Coast Premieres of A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD (International City Theatre) and PARDON MY ENGLISH; the Los Angeles premiere of BIG: THE MUSICAL (West Coast Ensemble); A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE and 70, GIRLS, 70 for the Norris Theatre; FOREVER PLAID, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE, A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING and SATURDAY NIGHT. Daniel received a Corwin Grant for his vocal compositions based on texts of Lewis Carroll, and his vocal arrangements, particularly of Christmas music, have been heard nationwide on television, radio and in live performances. In the midst of this Daniel has managed to tour Europe with a chamber choir, play bass in an acoustic ska band in seedy Hollywood bars, sing with the Dapper Dans of Disneyland and, after claiming he could play the accordion, organ and ukulele in order to book gigs, learned to play the accordion, organ and ukulele. Daniel resides in Long Beach with his wife Anne Fraser Thomas.
For a full list of Ovation nominees, or for information about the Ovation Awards Ceremony on January 11th, click here!
