By Denny Patterson
Grammy-nominated recording artist and actor Marty Thomas, who has built a dynamic career spanning stage, film, and television, will be bringing his talent and good looks to Fort Lauderdale’s Sunshine Cathedral November 29, 2024.
From winning Star Search at age 12, beating a then-unknown Britney Spears, and performing in Broadway hits like Wicked, to touring internationally and releasing three full-length albums, Thomas is a versatile performer who continues to shine across all entertainment platforms.
He took some time to talk more about his upcoming South Florida visit and illustrious journey as a LGBTQ+ artist.
Denny Patterson: Marty, how excited are you to perform at South Florida’s Sunshine Cathedral?
Marty Thomas: I’m very excited to perform at Sunshine Cathedral for a lot of different reasons. One, I love visiting the Fort Lauderdale/Miami area because it’s beautiful, I have so many friends there, and I always have such a good time. However, I’ve never done a concert in South Florida before. Little pop ups and private parties here and there, but never a full set. So, I’m thrilled!
Denny Patterson: Sunshine Cathedral has a mission to bring people together to celebrate the performing arts, and especially artists who are members and friends of the LGBTQ+ community. How meaningful is that to you?
Marty Thomas: When somebody or an organization makes a concerted effort to reach out to the community at large, especially to the LGBTQ+ community, it’s such a blessing and an honor. I’m still mildly shocked by it because I came up as an artist in a time when you had to call on Scratch to find performance venues and to build an audience. Now, to have a venue of any kind embracing my community and embracing queer artists, especially a venue like a church, it’s such an incredible sign of how far we’ve come.
Denny Patterson: Can you give us a hint as to what we can expect from your set?
Marty Thomas: I’m a Broadway baby, so you’ll definitely hear a lot of show tunes. Some songs will be from shows that I’ve done, and some songs will be from shows I dream of doing. I also grew up around country and gospel, so you’ll hear those types of songs, as well as a little bit of opera. I like to think of my shows as an eclectic experience because I don’t like to be put in a box, so I don’t put my audiences in a box.
Denny Patterson: And what do you always hope audiences take away from a Marty Thomas production?
Marty Thomas: I always love when I hear from an audience after a show that they feel like they’ve gotten to know me a little bit and we had a conversation. To me, that is the true sign of a great experience.
Denny Patterson: You have been in this industry since you were 11 years old, making your Broadway debut as Colin in The Secret Garden. How did you discover that the arts were your passion?
Marty Thomas: You know, I discovered it when I was even younger. I was raised in a church, and I found performance and art at such a young age. I started performing and traveling professionally when I was six, and I think a lot of it was that I grew up in a very tiny town. My dad’s a farmer, and I’m grateful for that background, but I was not meant to be a farmer (laughs). At a very early age, I figured out that art and music were my way to broader horizons, and I learned so young that I was going to be able to travel, meet new people, and do exciting, fun things if I continued to work on my craft. I think that was my earliest motivator, aside from just enjoying the thrill ride of being on stage and creating an experience. I loved music and performing so much, and I’m grateful that it’s still what I’m able to do for a living.
Denny Patterson: What do you enjoy the most about performing for a live audience? What do you feel every time you step out on stage?
Marty Thomas: It’s interesting because, like all performers, I get my minor stage fright when stepping in front of a large group of people, which I think is completely normal. There’s no way of knowing, and there’s no rhyme or reason as to whether an audience is going to respond well or poorly to you. There’s so many factors at hand, and I just try to remind myself that this is not an experience to be frightened of. This is an opportunity to meet a thousand new friends and connect with a thousand new people, spreading the only mission that you have, which is love and light. I have the opportunity to make people feel something and allow them to get to know me better, and I get excited about the experience.
Denny Patterson: How would you say you stand out from several other LGBTQ+ artist who are doing the same kind of work?
Marty Thomas: For me, it’s never been a game of standing out since art is the one commodity that we can’t get enough of. There’s so much music inundating the market every day. When I started promoting myself as a LGBTQ+ artist, I got dropped by several managers and agents. Back in the 90s and 2000s, being an out artist was not financially smart, but it was always very important to me to live authentically. These gay venues that have served our community for so many years, I’ve been performing in them since they opened. I’ve been around a long time, and I’m authentic and legit. I’m not trying to change anyone’s mind, but I am trying to have a conversation. I do feel like a lot of younger LGBTQ+ artists can be on the militant side, fighting the good fight, and I respect that. I respect that journey, but it’s not how I choose to start the conversation. I am just living authentically, both within my career and in my personal life, and I like the two can interweave fairly easily.
Denny Patterson: Other highlights of career include being nominated for a Grammy Award, releasing three full-length albums, and singing with the several magnificent artists like Billy Porter, Grace Jones, Patti LaBelle, Barry Manilow, and Kristen Chenowith. What has it been like to share the stage with so many greats?
Marty Thomas: Oh my gosh, it’s such a blessing. I’ve sung background vocals and opened for so many cool artists, when I look around, I’m just trying to take in the experience and remember the moment. Once it’s over, it’ll never happen again in exactly the same way. I’ve been very fortunate to stand on stage with my idols and heroes.
Denny Patterson: Do you have any music projects currently in the works?
Marty Thomas: Yes! I’ve been working on a standard album for the last few years, which will include some jazz music, some country music, and some showtunes, but all songs that have helped shape and guide my career. Kind of like a map.
Denny Patterson: What are some other future goals you hope to accomplish with your career?
Marty Thomas: I look forward to returning to Broadway someday. I’m not actively pursuing that at the moment because I’m traveling and doing concert work, but like I said, I’m a Broadway baby. I’ll always return to that Broadway stage, and I look forward to getting back there one of these days. Other than that, I want to do more TV and film, but I’m sort of just living the life I want to be living in this window of time. I’m traveling the world, meeting new people every day, singing all the time, and sharing my music.
Denny Patterson: Before we wrap up, are there any other upcoming projects or anything else you’d like to mention or plug?
Marty Thomas: I’m just looking forward to my upcoming concerts. I love performing at sea on cruise ships, but it’s such a different game to perform on land, and my next land concert is Fort Lauderdale. So, I hope to see you there!
Stay up-to-date and connect with Thomas by following him on Instagram, or visit MartyThomas.com. For more information and to purchase tickets for his upcoming Fort Lauderdale engagement, visit SunshineCathedral.org.
