Michael Patrick Thornton, the acclaimed actor currently starring on Broadway, offers a raw and insightful perspective on navigating the city’s electric energy and finding its authentic heart. A three-time Broadway veteran, Thornton brings his passion for performance and unique viewpoint as a wheelchair user to his latest role in the highly anticipated revival of Samuel Beckett’s masterpiece, Waiting for Godot.
On Stage: A New Take on a Classic
Thornton is currently performing alongside film icons Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter in the limited-run play. The actor describes his role and the enduring appeal of the show in deeply human terms.
Bringing the Absurd to Life
Thornton currently plays “Lucky” in the production and notes, “I currently play ‘Lucky’ in Waiting for Godot. He doesn’t talk much, but once he does…oh boy.” For those unfamiliar with the iconic absurdist drama, he offers a beautifully existential summary: “Have you ever shaken your head and half-laughed/half-cried at how life often seems like one long joke of waiting for something profound to happen that rarely ever does? And, just before getting too sad, you found light in the fact that at least you have a good friend? Do you like men in beards and old-timey hats? Well, gather round, buster, cuz we have the show for you.”
When asked about his favorite aspect of the performance, Thornton emphasizes connection over spectacle: “The humanity. It radiates friendship and care.”
The Path from Chicago to Broadway
Thornton’s journey to the New York stage began unexpectedly after a setback. “I got cut from my high school baseball team in Chicago. Now that my dream of being a professional pitcher was less (way, way less) likely, that freed up some time to make other dreams.” After beginning in local theater, he found his way to three Broadway shows in three years: Macbeth, A Doll’s House, and his current role. “I hope that the 16-year-old version of me would be proud of me. I think so.”
The Insider’s Guide to New York City
Thornton shares his essential tips for navigating Manhattan, finding authentic spots, and discovering the core kindness of New Yorkers.
Essential NYC Survival Tips
Thornton’s first and most critical lesson for visitors is pure New York etiquette: “Don’t stop in the middle of the sidewalk.” For fellow wheelchair users, he offers vital advice on mobility: “If you’re a wheelchair user like me, check the MTA’s accessibility website before heading out that day, since this city evidently cannot get its elevators to ever reliably work.” He also advises visitors, “Do not enter an empty subway car.”
Favorite Haunts and Happy Places
When stepping out for an evening, Thornton keeps it close to his theater roots: “There’s no shortage of cute places in our neighborhood of Hell’s Kitchen—shoutout to Aria.” For sending friends and family to authentic spots, his list balances cozy bars with high-quality dining:
- Bars and Bites: Rudy’s Bar, McSorley’s (for “both beers”), Long Acre Tavern (for Guinness), Hibernia, Guantanamera, and the Westway Diner.
- Dining Gems: He recommends meatballs and the Cavatelli with hot sausage at Frankie’s Spuntino in Brooklyn, Birria tacos at Añejo, and Tulcingo.
- The Ultimate Meal: His happy place is a classic steakhouse order: “Bone-in ribeye. Creamed spinach. Shrimp & Lobster dumplings. Gallagher’s. That’s my happy place.”
The Kindness of New Yorkers
Thornton reflects on what he loves most about the city by recounting a personal experience with his late father: “Last May was my dad’s last trip to New York before he passed away in January. As we were crossing 9th Ave, the footplate of his wheelchair grounded out on an uneven paving of the street, tipping the chair and catapulting him into the street. Within seconds, a group of strangers who had only moments ago been walking quickly in their own interior worlds stopped, swooped to my dad, and got him up out of the street and back into his chair. They flocked to him instantaneously, like birds. And the moment they knew he was safe, they dispersed, scattering back to their own individual journeys. That’s what I love about New Yorkers. Are they the friendliest people? No. But they may very well just be the kindest.”
