Thomas Raynor has distinguished himself one of the entertainment industry’s brightest young PR talents, including extensive experience in live theater. With a keen understanding of media, an envied network of contacts and a deft hand dealing with talent in front of and behind the curtain, Raynor has helped launch and/or promote the biggest productions on Broadway, including Gore Vidal's The Best Man; The Gershwin's Porgy & Bess with Audra McDonald; Tony Award-winning revival of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?; Glengarry Glen Ross with Al Pacino; The Anarchist with Patti LuPone and Debra Winger; Tony Award-winning revival of The Glass Menagerie; The Bridges of Madison County; All the Way with Bryan Cranston; Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill starring Audra McDonald; You Can't Take It With You; Wolf Hall: Parts 1 & 2; and The King and I starring Kelli O'Hara. In addition, he worked off Broadway on Papa Woof Dada Hot, Kill Floor, The Royale, Her Requiem and the critically acclaimed world premiere of Turn Me Loose starring Emmy Award-winner Joe Morton. As founder of Raynor Shine agency, he continues representing clients throughout the industry, achieving marquee placements across all media, including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Vanity Fair and many other platforms. He is a graduate of the State University of New York at Fredonia with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Musical Theater, and is a proud member of The Association of Theatrical Press Agents & Managers.
My definition of heaven is … a white sand beach and a private cabana with an endless supply of ice-cold margaritas.
One thing I never leave home without are … my headphones. Having studied music and worked for so long in the Broadway scene I have become quite the audiophile. Music feeds my soul in ways I cant even begin to articulate.
First thing I do in the morning is … take the dog on a walk and make a cup of coffee so strong it resembles tar.
Favorite travel accessory is …. a leather toiletry case that my mother found for me at a little leather shop in Brooklyn. Not only is it practical, but gorgeous!
My personal style is … very simple - some might say tech-nerd sheik. Give me a nice cotton t-shirt and dark wash jeans with sneakers and I am totally set. That said, when it comes to dress clothes sky’s the limit! Personal favorite pieces in my wardrobe include my Hermes Apple Watch and Gucci loafers
Favorite designer is … Hermes. Timeless, classic and investible!
What I wore today was … perfectly inline with my personal style - cotton -t-shit from Urban outfitters, Levis jeans and my Hermes Apple Watch
Favorite musician is … too hard to say. With an eclectic music palette that ranges from Top 40 to Oldies and Broadway to Opera, there is no simple answer here.
Ski or après ski? Ski! And if I am feeling adventurous maybe some snowboarding.
Favorite scent and the memory it triggers … has to be the small of pachouli. I know its often associated with the hippy crowd, but for me it brings back memories of my grandma’s house. Joanie LOVES her pachouli.
Favorite drink … Markers Mark Manhattan, Up
Favorite destination … London. By far my favorite city in the whole world!
The best meal I’ve ever had … has to be the porterhouse steak at M. Wells in Long Island City. Amazing food within a beautifully renovated car garage
When I go to a five star hotel, the first thing(s) I do is … test the bed and shower.
Personal motto … what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger
Last book I read … the one I have in my head about my time working on the Great White Way… oh the gossip!
My favorite movie quote … “There’s no crying in baseball” Tom Hanks in A League of Their Own
Best thing to do on a rainy Saturday night … cuddle up with the dog, a good movie and fabulous bottle of Pino Noir.
I most often dream about ... having unlimited resources to simply travel and explore all the world has to offer
My guiltiest guilty pleasure is … sleep. Despite being a hard worker with a “go get ‘em” attitude, I love to sleep in whenever possible. My bed is one of my happy places, for sure