RICHARD THOMAS: Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir and More!
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Richard Thomas may be best known for his wholesome, Emmy-winning portrayal of “John Boy” on The Walton’s, but he’s also gained acclaim in the thrillers IT and The Americans. He’s ringing in the holidays in the PBS and BYUtv special Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir.
The program features Emmy-winning Thomas and Tony-winning star Kelli O’Hara as they celebrate Christmas with Grammy and Emmy Award-winner The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square in an Americana-themed program that exudes the warmth and peace the season can bring. Set against a backdrop of a country farmhouse and chapel, the visual and musical spectacle is distinctly different from those of years past and serves as a soulful tribute to the holiday traditions, songs, stories and individuals that have contributed to the rich cultural fabric that is uniquely American.
Richard Thomas with Kelli O’Hara
The music selections, which draw from a number of American musical traditions including folk, bluegrass, Broadway and African-American spirituals, highlight some well-known Christmas favorites, but the ones that really shine are the lesser-known carols and ballads from American composers. Highlights include a stirring rendition of “A Cradle in Bethlehem” (originally made famous by Nat King Cole) which O’Hara sings as a tribute to her late father, the showstopping “Jingle Bells” organ extravaganza played by Richard Elliott alongside the Cold Creek bluegrass band, and “Mary’s Little Boy Child” by African American composer Jester Hairston and made famous by Harry Belafonte. The full BYUtv version also includes a Rodgers and Hammerstein medley that allows O’Hara to revisit her Tony®-nominated roles in “The King and I” and “South Pacific.” Complementing the folk origins of much of the music, Thomas offers deeply touching readings from storied American authors including an adaptation of Pearl S. Buck’s “Christmas Day in the Morning” and Robert Frost’s beloved poem “Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening.”
Richard Thomas on The Waltons ( 1970’s)
Richard Thomas is best known for his leading role as budding author John-Boy Walton on the CBS drama The Waltons. He won an Emmy and two Golden Globes for that role. He also starred in the miniseries adaptation of Stephen King’s It and played Special Agent Frank Gaad on FX’s spy thriller, The Americans.
Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir A 60 Minute Version Airs Monday, December 14th at 9pm ET/PT On PBS. The Full 90 Minute Version Airs Thursday, December 17th at 8pm ET/PT On BYUtv And Streams for Free On the BYUtv App.
I spoke with Richard Thomas about the Christmas Special, what else he has been up to and why The Waltons resonate with us more now than ever.