"The work of John-Richard Thompson (remember that name) is impossible to classify. His creative imagination dazzles...Transitions from dark to frivolous, from surrealistic to silly, are handled with complete mastery, with never a false note or moment - a triumph of stylization..."

                                                     							- BackStage

"There's no easy way to categorize the work of John-Richard Thompson, nominated again for a MAC Award for one of his unique theater pieces."

                                                    							 - Theatremania.com

"I would love to know what inspires Thompson's unusual work. It is quite charming, in a curiously surreal way. "

                                                     							- New York Post

Before taking up the pen, John-Richard Thompson was an actor in New England and Great Britain; a Captain of a charterboat service in the Caribbean; and a worthless no-account vagabond, traveling through Asia, South America and Africa. Now based in New York City, he draws on his many unusual experiences to form a body of work that has received critical acclaim and garnered several awards. John-Richard Thompson is an author/playwright and advocate for individuals with disabilities. He is co-author of two non-fiction books and has won several awards for his work in the theatre.

Following is a history of recent works:

BOOKS

THE CHRISTMAS MINK: DECEMBER TALES FROM THE NORTH WOODS – with Illustrations by Jon Robyn.

Published by Osiail Publishing, 2009

The Christmas Mink and Other December Tales from the North Woods brings the spirit of the season alive. In this whimsical collection of Christmas stories and poems from the snowy north woods of New England, see the season in a new light and find the holiday spirit in unlikely places in Siberia, from the tail of the Christmas Comet, or even a tree in your own yard. In the title tale, The Christmas Mink, young Will, worried about finding a gift for his generous mother, receives a miraculous gift courtesy of a talking mink. In Coal, hapless elves must travel to Siberia to gather Santa s supply of coal for his list of VBKs (very bad kids). Join curmudgeonly old woodsmen, living ornaments, a congress of talking animals, a horde of helpful mice, and one grandiose moose in these rousing December tales certain to please both cynic and celebrant alike.

 

A SPECIAL MOTHER – Co-Author with Anne Ford, daughter of Henry Ford II.

Published by Newmarket Press, 2010

A Special Mother: Getting Through the Early Days of a Child's Diagnosis with Learning Disabilities and Related Disorders, published by Newmarket Press in 2010 

 

LAUGHING ALLEGRA – Co-Author with Anne Ford

Published by Newmarket Press, 2003

Laughing Allegra, a blend of memoir with self-help, tells a story about the struggle and triumph of raising a child with learning disabilities. Published by Newmarket Press in 2003 (paperback published 2004), Laughing Allegra received a starred review from Library Journal, and was designated as a finalist for a “Books for a Better Life” Award. Publishers Weekly called it “a poignant, intimate portrait”, while Bookreporter.com wrote: “I cannot recommend a book more highly than this. Halfway through I found myself making lists of people who would enjoy it. I encourage you to pick it up --- and then spread the word.”

ON THEIR OWN – Co-Author

Also written with Anne Ford, On Their Own is a guide to the special challenges faced by parents of learning-disabled children as they enter adulthood. Now in its second printing by Newmarket Press, On Their Own was also designated as a finalist in the 2008 “Books for a Better” Life Award. As co-authors, John-Richard Thompson and Anne Ford have appeared around the country speaking about their books and learning disabilities at conferences, corporations and parent groups. The books and their authors have been highlighted on numerous television and radio programs, including NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, NPR’s Diane Rehm Show, the Mitch Albom Show, as well as articles in Newsweek, USA Today and Detroit Free Press.

THEATER

ANGEL MOUNTAIN – Playwright

Produced in 2006 by AndHow Theater Company, Angel Mountain takes place in the Adirondack Mountains in 1945. The New York Times called it “a surprising, absorbing drama”, and finished their review with the quote from Arthur Miller “Attention must be paid.” Time Out New York wrote: “While John-Richard Thompson draws on staples of classic melodrama, Angel Mountain is constructed with an original artistry—smart, suggestive dialogue; unexpected character notes; telling detail and imagery—that makes the material fresh again. The work’s insights are often surprising, even disturbing..."

WATER SHEERIE - Playwright

A two-act comedy set on a moonlit night in the woods of Maine. Water Sheerie had two separate productions in 2000, one with the New Hampshire Shakespeare Festival and a second with New Hampshire’s Encore Productions, and a 2004 production in New York City with AndHow Theater Company. Off-Off Online said, “the entire experience becomes a magical return to a free-spirited childhood” and Off Off Broadway Review said, “It was enchanting, delightful, charming and magical. It was also a very shrewdly calculated piece of theater, well wrought by John-Richard Thompson.”

A LIGHTENING OF FIREFLIES – Playwright

Produced by AndHow Theater Company in 2005, the play was performed in a public garden in Manhattan.

INDIGO RAT - Playwright (book) and Director

Set in Berlin between 1921-1941, the musical revue Indigo Rat ran in New York City for two years, 2000 through 2001. Winner of the 2001 M.A.C. Award and BackStage Bistro Award, as well as three separate awards from Theatremania.com.

RAIN HOUSE - Playwright

A two act drama which explores the need for roots and home and the conflicting desire to escape from both. Set in the Caribbean with a cast of sailors and American ex-patriots. Rain House was produced at the Pantheon Theatre on 42nd Street in New York City in September, 1999

ERIK AND THE SNOW MAIDENS - Playwright and Director

A musical fantasia set in Finland during World War I. In 1998, John-Richard Thompson won the BackStage Bistro award for his work, along with two nominations from the Manhattan Association of Cabaret Awards. “Erik” was further developed in a workshop setting by the Manhattan Class Company, directed by Robert Lupone.

FRUIT BAT SAFARI CAMP - Playwright

A comedy set in Africa, Fruit Bat was first produced as a one-act at the Village Gate in New York, and has had several readings featuring Robert Lupone, Julie Halston and Sally Mayes.

THE GLASS BIRD - Playwright

A play set in 1930’s New England. First seen at New York’s Writer’s Theatre as part of their Plays-in-Progress Series. In 1996, The Glass Bird was the premiere production of the Exonia Theatre Company in Exeter, N.H.

That's the Professional Stuff. For more about me, see JTinNYC