Richard Thomas to bring Mark Twain Tonight! to New York and 38-city 2027 tour

Richard Thomas will play a one-night-only benefit performance of Mark Twain Tonight! at New York City’s Town Hall on Nov. 2 before launching a 2027 national tour to 38 cities across 35 states. The run follows a first season that drew more than 55,000 theatergoers in 46 cities.

Why it matters: - Mark Twain Tonight! is expanding from a successful first season into a broader national run, with a New York stop that doubles as a benefit for The Entertainment Community Fund. - The 2027 tour will bring the production to 35 states, broadening access to a classic American one-man show built around Twain’s humor and commentary.

What happened: - Richard Thomas will perform Mark Twain Tonight! at New York City’s Town Hall on Nov. 2, 2026. - The Town Hall engagement is one night only. - The performance will benefit The Entertainment Community Fund. - A post-show talkback with author Ron Chernow is planned. - The New York date comes on the eve of the 2026 midterm elections. - Thomas will then launch a 2027 national tour running from January through May. - The 2027 tour is scheduled to visit 38 cities.

The details: - The first season of the production played 74 performances in 46 cities across North America. - The run drew more than 55,000 audience members. - Cities on the first season itinerary included Washington, DC, Detroit, Cleveland, Denver and San Francisco. - The first season launched in August 2025 in Hartford, Connecticut, the site of Mark Twain’s family home. - The 2027 tour will include Fort Worth, Hershey, Philadelphia, Albuquerque and Dallas. - The production will reach a total of 35 states nationwide. - Thomas is the first and only actor authorized to perform the play, which was written and originally performed by Hal Holbrook. - The creative team includes Michael Wilson, Brian Prather, Sam Fleming, Anthony Pearson, Shannon Slaton and Luc Verschueren for Campbell Young Associates. - The production team includes Brian L’Ecuyer and Ryan Parliament. - Hannah Rosenthal is executive producer. - Current engagements and more information are available at TwainPlay.com. - Tickets for the New York engagement are available at The Entertainment Community Fund.

Between the lines: - The New York stop functions as a homecoming before the next national chapter begins. - The production is leaning on Thomas’ broad recognition from The Waltons, Ozark and stage work to extend the show’s reach beyond traditional theater audiences. - The one-night benefit format suggests the New York engagement is designed as both a showcase and a fundraising event.

What's next: - Thomas will continue into the 2027 tour after the Nov. 2 New York performance. - More city-by-city engagement details are available on the production’s website. - Additional ticketing and schedule updates are likely as the 2027 run approaches.

The bottom line: - Mark Twain Tonight! is moving from a strong first year into a larger national footprint, with Richard Thomas anchoring a 2026 New York benefit and a 2027 tour across 38 cities.