Lucky Man: A Warrior’s Journey

Victoria L. Dammer
June 12, 2025
heartbreakwaites, Openingnight.Reviews, thomasgwaites, victoriadammer

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Any day of the year, you can read stories about the rise and fall of Hollywood actors. Alcohol, drugs, and messed-up relationships with lovers and directors are just a sample of the struggles in theatrical life. Don’t forget the internal struggles we all have as humans.

So, writer, actor, and director Thomas G. Waites brought his happiness, pain, and redemption to the stage in Lucky Man, A Warrior’s Journey at the Gene Frankel Theatre.

Here’s a quick preview:

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His guitar and the three-piece band Heartbreak Waites accompanied him as he expressed his pain and glory through words and song. The performance resonates with the audience’s soul through this personal journey that some of us have experienced.

Waites had early success, starring as the scout Fox character in the 1979 action thriller The Warriors. But the director fired him, removing his name from the credits. A cult classic, the franchise spun off video games and a comic book series. Fortunately, Waites said he received payment and gained international recognition. He remarked he was still receiving dividends from his performance in the movie.

In 1979, Waites had another supporting role alongside Al Pacino in And Justice For All. He wasn’t fired, and his credits were on the movie site. Waites improvised an impressive impression of Pacino and shared that he received the nickname “One Time Tommy” for his talent in performing his lines in one take, much to the director’s delight and budget.

In 1982, Waites had a supporting role in John Carpenter’s successful horror film The Thing. Like The Warriors, the movie has become a cult classic, thanks to Carpenter’s genius and willingness to delve into the horror genre.

Thomas G. Waites. Courtesy thomasgwaites.com

Waites’ life went into the abyss after his performance with Carpenter. Waites said, “It (The Thing) was one moment that will alter the course of your life forever.” The movie certainly did that for the audience who followed it.

As painful as it was, Waites shared his domestic uncoupling and his eventual reconciliation with the wife he loved and then unloved. Alcohol ruined most of his life, and finally, being sober enhanced his life.

Waites shared his insight, which all should embrace.

“I ought to write a book about Hollywood – ‘What not to do by Thomas G Waites.”’

After his performance, it will be a bestseller.

See this engaging performance. It will pull you in. You will rejoice in redemption. You will believe in second chances.

John Goodman and Evan Azriliant present Lucky Man, written and performed by Thomas G. Waites. Featuring music by the band Heartbreak Waites. Directed by Joe Danisi. A limited engagement at the Gene Frankel Theatre through June 22.