|
|
|
Tweet this article !
Shawn
Ryan Loves Coming Home to
Acclaimed by critics as one of the brightest
stars rising up in the cabaret/Jazz circuit today, Shawn Ryan is amazed at the
ride and where his career is taking him. Ryan feels so fortunate, because he is
doing what he dreamed of.
“I was always drawn to theatre all my life.” He credits that to his
parents and grandparents who loved music and theatre and were performers in
local productions while he was growing up. With theatre and performing “in his
blood,” 
so to speak, Ryan was eager to study acting at the
Being able to perform at the Plush Room one more
time is special to Ryan. He sees it as significant, because it was at the Plush
Room where he made his professional debut in 2000. He was eager to emulate all
the singers he met, such as Andrea Marcovicci, Linda Kosut, Lua Hadar and
others, who are now his friends.
The road to his cabaret debut was an unusual
one. Upon returning home to
“Kelly and I won the prize. But the restaurant
went out of business,” said Ryan. Undaunted by the unexpected 
obstacle, Park
encouraged Ryan to go forward just the same and find a venue in town to
perform. He reminisced that “back then I was so new and green to all of
this, that when I called the Plush Room to inquire about scheduling to put on a
show, I was told, ‘No one just calls up and schedules a show date, you must
audition.’” Ryan laughs about it now, but at the time, his venture into
cabaret performing was daring since he had little prior experience.
In just eight years, Ryan has managed to not
only sing in cabaret and jazz spots from coast to coast, but has appeared on TV
as a semi-finalist in the competition show “
Not yet 30 years old, Ryan has also appeared on
stage, on episodic TV and in films. His most recent acting work was an
appearance on the new ABC drama “Woman’s Murder Club.” He has recorded two CD’s,
and his latest, “Blue Skies,” has been well received.
His busy schedule would make any aspiring
performer envious, no doubt. Cabaret Exchange was in the audience for his
performance at the Plush Room. “Whether they call it the Empire Plush Room
or Razz Productions at The Plush Room, I just refer to it as the Plush Room,”
he told the audience that filled the long-standing venue on Saturday, January
12.
Ryan kept the audience laughing with clever
banter between each song. Yet behind the wit and humor, he does not take
any of his success for granted. He also expressed a bit of disappointment that
the Plush Room is no more. He was among the last scheduled performers to appear
at the Plush Room just before it shut down. Confessing his sentiments, he said
that earlier that day before the show, he just sat on stage, taking in its
ambiance. Looking up at
the rich design of the large stained glass window on
the ceiling above the audience, Ryan said, “Look at that ceiling, so beautiful, I am
going to miss that. The new owners say they want to serve food and turn the
Plush Room into a restaurant,” said Ryan. He was not alone in his
sentiments, as the audience agreed. Despite repeated attempts by the cabaret
community in SF to save the Plush Room, a new cabaret venue will emerge as The
Razz Room at the Hotel Nikko next month.
A standing ovation (the audience did not want
the show to end) led Ryan to oblige their affection, by giving them a few more
songs. Everyone lingered after the show, and there was a collective sigh of
sorts as it was clear that indeed, this was the closing night for a venue that
can trace its roots back to the roaring ‘20s. After all the music stopped, some
stood in line to greet Ryan and buy a copy of his “Blue Skies” CD. Many just wanted to sit and savor that last
drink.
Roberta Quick from the
For more information about Shawn Ryan and his
music visit:
And, to know more about The Razz Room at the Hotel Nikko visit: http://therrazzroom.com
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
