Plays

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Produced work

2022

Backing Track
World Premiere directed by Rebecca Wright
Arden Theatre, Philadelphia, PA

The Folks at Home
World Premiere directed by Stevie Walker-Webb
Baltimore Center Stage, Baltimore, MD

Crying on Television
World Premiere directed by Reg Douglas
Everyman Theater, Baltimore, MD

2020

Safe Space
World Premiere directed by B Kleymeyer
Single Carrot Theatre, Baltimore, MD
2021 Lambda Literary Award finalist

2019

Mrs. Harrison
Pulley and Buttonhole Theatre Company, Jenkintown, PA

Every once in a (great) while, a new work in Philadelphia premieres with such power and promise that it demands to be seen by a much wider audience. That play is Mrs. Harrison at Azuka Theatre. That playwright is R. Eric Thomas.

Jim Rutter, Philadelphia Inquirer

2018

Mrs. Harrison
World Premiere directed by Kevin Glaccum
Azuka Theatre, Philadelphia, PA
2018 Barrymore Award nominee

Click here to read the play on the New Play Exchange

“Thomas proved adept with unique characters and timely issues in his Barrymore Award-winning Time Is On Our Side, but Mrs. Harrison adds levels of danger and mystery that show this playwright gaining power.” -Mark Cofta, Broad Street Review Full review here

2017

Time Is On Our Side
Midwest Premiere directed by Megan Carney
About Face Theatre, Chicago, IL

2016
Time Is On Our Side
World Premiere directed by Jarrod Markman
Simpatico Theatre Project, Philadelphia, PA, Allen Radway Artistic Director
Developed with PlayPenn, Paul Meshijian, Artistic Director

Click here for a summary and excerpt on the New Play Exchange

WINNER: BARRYMORE AWARD for BEST NEW PLAY, Theatre Philadelphia, 2016
WINNER: VIRIGINIA BROWN MARTIN PHILADELPHIA AWARD, Theatre Philadelphia, 2016

This is the kind of work I want to see so much more of. Inclusive, fearless, professional, loving, humble

Bonaly Reviews

PRESS FOR TIME IS ON OUR SIDE
“A superbly crafted two-hour mystery… Thomas creates an entire world with seeming room for all of humanity’s hopes and dreams, foibles and longings.” –Jim Rutter, The Philadelphia Inquirer. Full review here.

“A funny, poignant, and uplifting Philly-centric show that considers the intersection of the city’s history with gay rights.” –Deb Miller, Phindie. Full review here.

“[D]elivers thoughtful, clear storytelling drama that new plays frequently lack.” -Howie Shapiro, Newsworks. Full review here.

“Thomas has created some complex and appealing characters whose issues provide for thoughtful, intelligent conflict.” –Tim Dunleavy, DC Metro Arts. Full review here.

“A warm-hearted tale reveling in Philadelphia’s gay life — past, present, and hopeful future.” –Mark Cofta, Broad Street Review. Full review here.

“Thomas’ script is intimately epic, recreating a Philadelphia that is vivid even for those who have not spent a day there in many years, in which queer millennial characters have messy reactions as they discover just how little they know of the history of gay and lesbian life before the AIDS crisis, before Stonewall, in a city that is neither New York nor San Francisco, when “queer” was still exclusively a slur, when the closet was often the safest choice even for people who knew exactly who they were and whom they loved. It’s not just a question of whether they have a right to unearth the past: Can they even understand it fully?” -Ian Thal, Washington City Paper. Full review here.

2015

Human Resources
City Theatre, Miami, FL
Finalist: City Theatre National Short Playwriting Award
Final 30: The Samuel French Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival

Published: City Theatre Anthology 2015 (purchase here)

But nothing is more brilliantly bonkers than R. Eric Thomas’ Silicon Valley satire Human Resources, with Wahl as a startup drone frustrated by the new hires his company installed in a merger — all of whom happen to be puppets.
–Miami New Times

2014
When You Put It Like That It Just Sounds Ridiculous
Finalist: City Theatre National Short Playwriting Award

Always the Bridesmaid: a solo romantic comedy about God, gays and baked goods
Directed by Jarrod Markman
Philadelphia, PA

[A] seamless synthesis of stand-up comedy and storytelling with the narrative structure of a one-act rom-com.
–Phindie

2013
It’s Not Gossip If I Say It To Your Face
Commissioned by the Park School of Baltimore

(in)voluntary commitment – co-writer/performer.
Quince Productions, Philadelphia, PA

2012
Always the Bridesmaid
GayFest!, Philadelphia, PA

Overexposed: A Slightly Awkward Peepshow
Quince Productions, Philadelphia, PA

2011
Will You Accept This Friend Request?
First Person Festival, Philadelphia, PA

2003
The Spectator
Run of the Mill Theater, Baltimore, MD

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