“My parents chose me and my brothers,” the playwright said. The only TV shows the kids were allowed to watch were on Maryland Public Television. As children, each boy had his own tiny desk set up in the living room where they did homework. His two brothers also have thrived he said one is an elementary school principal and the other works in cybersecurity. In February, he was presented with the key to his hometown by Baltimore City Council President Nick Mosby. Thomas’ young adult novel, ”The Kings of B’More,” was published in late May by Penguin Books.
A production of his “Crying on Television” is running through June 26 at Everyman Theatre, performed by a quartet of gifted actors that includes local theater standout Erika Rose. Thomas, who now lives in Philadelphia, is an author who writes books, television screenplays and openhearted comedies for live theater. But the bubble built by the Thomas family was strong enough to float Eric and his two brothers to safety. So great was the contrast that the Thomas family ironically referred to their home as “Bubbleland.”īubbles appear fragile, popping at the merest touch. “Inside, our futures were brimming with possibilities and our backs were straight and we had as many choices available to us as any of our contemporaries.”