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Emmy-Award® winning Actor and 2025 Theater Hall of Fame Inductee Richard Thomas brings to life "the nation's one true comic genius" (The New York Times) in Mark Twain Tonight!, written and originally performed by Hal Holbrook. Join the millions who have cheered for the legendary one-man show, bursting with Twain's "uproariously funny" and "pungently wise" (Time Magazine) humor.
Most recently seen on Broadway in Our Town, on tour as Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, and on Netflix's Ozark, Richard Thomas will return to Broadway in Spring 2026 in David Lindsay-Abaire's The Balusters, directed by Kenny Leon. Beloved to generations as John-Boy Walton, Richard Thomas is the first and only actor authorized to perform Mark Twain Tonight! since the original.
It was fun to see Hal Holbrook. He's a marvelous actor. We were disappointed in the performance because we would have enjoyed more humor and less of the serious government speeches and references.
I could not pass up the opportunity to see American classic, Hal Holbrook, play American classic, Mark Twain. No one should. Undoubtedly, I could have had a better view of the performance on video but it was magic to be there. The material seems timeless. Holbrook does the same justice to Twain that he did to Wilder in "Our Town," 33 (gulp) years ago. What a privilege it was to see this icon in action! Thank you.
Difficult to understand what was being said. Possibly acoustics but more likely style of delivery.
If you can, search the internet far and wide for a performance of MARK TWAIN TONIGHT! near you. Holbrook as Mark Twain - the first of the one person shows - is a marvelous and engaging experience. Mr. Holbrook's timing and his use of the pause are supurb, a masters course for any aspiring actor - and many working ones as well. At times, Holbrook - even at 86 - literally holds the audience in the palm of his hand, and some of the silences simply take your breath away. If you have the chance, GO! We will not see his like again. A true American treasure.
Hal Holbrook has been performing this routine since the 50's and has only gotten better with age! I saw him do this routine when I was 10 and 16 years later it is still side-splitting funny. Political commentary that sounds like it's from today's headlines when it's really from Mark Twain's era. He covers human nature, personalities, and behavior like a very entertaining version of your grandfather telling stories by the fire.
Halbrook was truly amazing...as if we all were transported back in time. He was also hilarious and had some very thought-provoking statements. It's hard to believe Halbrook has done this for 55 years. Great performance!!
What a wonderful evening to travel back to simpler times, when people spoke their minds and didn't apologize for doing so! Hal Holbrook as Mark Twain is the embodiment of my imagination. The first half of the show was full of warmth, whimsy and enveloping laughter from the audience. The second half was more serious and seemed to wander a bit, but Mr. Holbrook's protrayal is so bespelling, you were disappointed when the end of the show came all too soon.
I am unable to attend many events,so I select very carefully the ones that I will attend. I made a Great choice in selecting this event. It is amazing how Hal Holbrook has captured the real Samuel Clemens. I have always been amazed by the wit of Mr Clemens. When I have been asked who would you like for the past to be able to speak with. I would pick Mark Twain and last night I felt like I was in the presents of the man himself. I was sorry that he was only here in Ames for only one night. I wish many of my friends and family could have had a chance to attend the performance. Hal Halbrook has for many years been able to bring Mark Twain alive to our generation. His performance will live in my memory.
The last time I saw Holbrook doing Twain was 34 years ago, and that was one of the most wonderful evenings of theater I've ever enjoyed. Last night presented quite a different selection of Twain's writings and speeches, but--if anything--even better and more memorable. Holbrook doing Twain doing Huck doing Pap was just amazing. Not to be missed!!
What can be said about Hal Holbrook that hasn't already been said? His accomplishments run far and wide! I was amazed by how the content of the show could be applied to todays society and how the issues of the day haven't changed much in 100 years...perhaps just worse. We may never see a philosopher like Mark Twain again.
Hal Holbrook , held the audience in the palm of his hand. My husband and I felt the evening went to fast. I began to place the people he spoke of in my history. Amazing night.
The show was great. One would expect this from a show in which the actor has refined it for 50 year. Wow!
Excellent show and Mr. Holbrook's capture of what we believe to be Mark Twain is wonderful. It was slightly slow at times, but still I would recommend it to anyone who wants to 'see' Mark Twain the humorist.
A very uneven performance. It had a few good moments, but much of it was excruciatingly slow and rambling.
Hal Holbrook's performance as Mark Twain is not to be missed. Mr. Holbrook's knowledge of the material is encyclopedic and the deliver and timing are superb. Of course, his resemblence to Twain enhances the experience. I vividly recall seeing this performance in 1967 and it has worn well over the intervening 42 years. If you have not seen Mr. Holbrook, you should and if you don't you will miss a thoroughly enjoyable and memorable production.