Though he won his highest honors as a choreographer and theater director, Thommie Walsh will also be remembered locally as a talented dancer by those who saw his first recitals.

Walsh, 57, died Saturday at a family home near Owasco Lake following an illness.

The Auburn native brought some glitz to the city by winning two Tony awards for directing and choreographing - the first for the play “A Day in Hollywood/Night in Ukraine” in 1980 and another for “My One and Only” in 1983.

His family and friends will celebrate his life from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, at the Springside Inn, followed by a musical tribute at 7 p.m. by his friends in the theater.

While he began dancing when he was 5, he hit it big in Broadway in 1973 in the original role of Bobby in “A Chorus Line.” He was the last original cast member to leave the show, a fact he was proud of, childhood friend Tom Woods said.

Walsh also was in the film version of “Jesus Christ Superstar.”

Walsh contributed lines and stories toward the creation of his character. Walsh later co-wrote a book about the musical called “On the Line.”

Now a theater critic for The Citizen, Woods shared a love for theater with Walsh, who lived up the road from Woods' cousins.

“I remember when he came back for my cousin's wedding and he brought a young lady with him, she was another dancer. They put on a show on the dance floor,” Woods said.

While he lived in New York City, Walsh would often come back to area to see family and friends.

He continued to work and reminders of his career are all around the state. Recently, “Lucky Stiff” opened in Syracuse, a play Walsh directed when it first opened off-Broadway.

“He never lost the ability to be a child, to lose yourself completely in what you were doing. I think that's what made him a good (performer),” Woods said.

Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 267 or

jessica.soule@lee.net