THOMAS SANDERS
Thomas Sanders
We live in a world in which Pokemon capture is a sort of reality. Social media platforms have become entwined into our daily narratives and to the folks who are often confused by these sort of things, there’s nothing more confusing than the rise of the internet star. This might be due to a series of essentially “modern” events. Think a resurgence in ludditism, rapidly-evolving technologies, per-capita accessibility to the tools-of-the-trade… in general, things are way different today than they were a decade ago. One of the bigger misunderstandings that befuddle and further compound the problem is how the general assumption towards internet celebrity-dom rises out of a “no-talent” ideology – which in a way is true but for a few, it isn’t.
Thomas Sanders, with 7.9 million followers on Vine, is a maestro of the six-second loop, an astute observer of Americana, and a young man imbued with genuine charm. For the Florida native, it doesn’t hurt that he embodies the physical and aesthetic appeal of a Disney prince and has the stamina to maintain an almost too-personal connection with his fans, no easy task given the largesse of his followers across his platforms.
Sanders’ greatest quality, one that seems fake at first glance, is that unlike others in the field, he doesn’t mine the crude and crass for comedic effect. Sanders is one of those rare gems with actual talent and on-screen charisma. Now embarking on a tour showcasing his skills in a variety show format and capitalizing on his incidental catchphrase “Story Time,” the Ultimate Storytime is a culmination of his Vine work’s catalyst for his self-admitted “nerdy and theatrical side.” It might be content aimed at a younger crowd, but the good-nature of his comedy and the genuine appeal of his smile might be enough to win over those in a different bracket who are having troubles adjusting to the modern world. That folks, is good, old-fashioned entertainment.
The Ultimate Storytime with Thomas Sanders at 8:30pm on Saturday, August 13 at the Kelsey Theater, 700 Park Ave, Lake Park. General admission $30. thomassanders.com.
~ Abel Folgar
