Thomas & Me: Life Is a Comedy. Even When It Isn’t

Post author:Jacqueline Parker
Post published: October 15, 2026
Reading time:3 mins read

Thomas & Me
Life Is a Comedy. Even When It Isn’t

The Frank Shiner Theatre at the Sheen Center, NYC, September 25, 2026

Reviewed by Jacqueline Parker

The titular Thomas here is Thomas Ellenson, a not-yet 30-year-old man who was born with cerebral palsy. You may not remember his name, but you might recall press and TV coverage of him as he was growing up and of his father who created the device through which he speaks, which was fairly revolutionary at the time. Thomas explained to us from his wheelchair—and with the help of that device—what his life has been like up to this point and how his love of Broadway musicals and their messages of hope and determination— especially “Tomorrow” from Annie (Charles Strouse/Martin Charnin) have sustained him. The set, designed by Michael Fitzgerald, included projections of Ellenson’s favorite shows as part of the backdrop testified to his devotion to musicals.

His parents made sure he got a proper education, and it paid off handsomely. He graduated with honors having studied what he loved. The result is his story subtitled Life Is a Comedy. Even When It Isn’t, which he wrote, co-directed with Stephen Santa, and starred in. Quite an accomplishment for a fellow with so many cards stacked against him!

He did have some help with this project, notably by Douglas J. Cohen who supplied the music and lyrics that skillfully carried the audience through some of the emotionally charged spots. Mairéad O’Neill, as his girlfriend Michelle, set a breezy tone at the top of the show with “I Am Not a Morning Person.” She later sang “Caring,” in which she described her love for Thomas. This song in particular was reminiscent of the songsof Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt. Their signature tenderness in composition so keenly felt in The Fantasticks and I Do! I Do! is the same simple yet powerful magic at work in Cohen’s work. It’s no easy task to tap into emotions many of us would choose to ignore, but these three make that effort a painless and even cathartic experience. Sujin Kim-Ramsey handled musical direction skillfully throughout.

One had to reflect that musicals are a source of inspiration and empowerment for so many of us. Thomas’ life is one that relies on assistance from someone for even the simplest of everyday tasks, here portrayed by Tyler Austin White. But what he relies on most strongly is the music of Broadway, and don’t we all, to some extent? Next time you’re down or fall in love, take note of the song that might be running through your head; I’d bet it would be a Broadway show tune!

Thomas triumphs over adversities like severe illness with a grace that is startling and enviable. And who is the titular “Me?” It’s anyone who sees this show and falls in love with Thomas just the way we did.

Tags: Thomas Ellenson, Martin Charnin, Clubs, composer, Douglas J. Cohen, I Do! I Do!, American Songbook Association, ASA, Sujin Kim-Ramsey, Jacqueline Parker, Cabaret Reviews, Thomas & Me, Life Is a Comedy Even When It Isn’t, The Frank Shiner Theatre at the Sheen Center, cerebral palsy, Stephen Santa, Mairéad O’Neill, I Am Not a Morning Person, Caring, Tyler Austin White, Tom Jones, Cabaret Scenes, Broadway, Cabaret, Broadway Musicals, The Fantasticks, Harvey Schmidt, American Songbook, Lyricist, Charles Strouse, NYC, CD, Tomorrow, Annie, Reviews

Jacqueline Parker

Like Ethel Merman, lifelong New Yorker Jacqueline Parker began her career as a stenographer. She spent more than two decades at the city's premier public agency, progressing through positions of increased responsibility after earning her BA in English from New York University (3.5 GPA/Dean’s List). She won national awards for her work in public relations and communication and had the privilege of working in the House of Commons for Stephen Ross, later Lord Ross of Newport. In the second half of her career, Jacqueline brought her innate organizational skills and creative talents to a variety of positions. While distinguishing herself in executive search, she also gave her talents to publishing, politics, writing, radio broadcasting and Delmonico's Restaurant. Most recently, she hosted Anything Goes! a radio show that paid homage to Cole Porter and by extension the world of Broadway musicals and the Great American Songbook. Other features of the show were New York living, classical music, books, restaurants, architecture and politics. This show highlighted the current Broadway scene, both in New York and around the country through performances and interviews with luminaries including Len Cariou, Charles Strouse, Laura Osnes, Steve Ross and Joan Copeland. Her pandemic project was immersion into the life, times and work of Alfred Hitchcock, about whom she has written a soon-to-be-published article. Jacqueline has been involved in a myriad of charitable causes, most notably the Walt Frazier Youth Foundation, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Sisters of Life, York Theatre, and the New Jersey Shakespeare Festival. She is a proud Founder of Hidden Water. Her greatest accomplishment is the parenting of her son, a lawyer specializing in mediation. She has many pretend grandchildren, nieces and nephews, on whom she dotes shamelessly, as well as a large circle of friends to whom she is devoted. Her interests in addition to theater and cabaret are cooking, entertaining, reading, and spending time on Queen Mary 2.