Shawn Ryan trotted out the big book of musical variety shows and threw it at his adoring fans in this one-night extravaganza at the Herbst Theatre. This would be the history manual of shows like The Judy Garland Show, The Dean Martin Show, even Sonny and Cher, for Ryan included most of the elements of those old-time variety hours: backup singers (featuring the new queen of cabaret Terese Genecco), seven backup dancers, the 14-piece Kelly Park Orchestra, audience schmoozing and plenty of feather boas. Did I mention this show had a decidedly pink flavor?

Shawn Ryan is indeed very talented and quite personable. He's an all-around performer with a genuine comfort level that endears him to his audiences. Even in the large Herbst Theatre, Ryan draws you in with the power of his adorable factor. He reminds me of a young Dick Van Dyke in that regard, only much, much gayer. You can count on less than one hand how many out performers there are to see how important Ryan is to both his "people," and the cabaret scene in general.

Ryan's song selection rarely dipped into the Great American Songbook ("Wouldn't It Be Lovely" and the Harold Arlen/Yip Harburg "Down With Love") instead focusing on material wonderfully suited to his voice and delivery ("Everybody Loves a Lover," "Everybody's Boy [Girl]," "A Wink and A Smile" and "C'est Ci Bon"). Ryan closed the 1st set with a "Are You Having Any Fun" featuring Kelly Flynn, a very young and talented member of Ryan's Young Actor's Theatre Camp (no pun intended). A perfect number for Ryan that displays all his best attributes.

The arrangements by Kelly Park and some outstanding solos turns by bassist Daniel Fabricant, and the horn section of Rich Armstrong on trumpet, Jim Grantham on tenor sax, Doug Beaver on trombone, and Tony Malfati on alto sax and flute added to the richness of the sound. A bizarre standup comedy break by comic writer Bruce Villanch, while breaking up the continuity of the 2nd act, could not diminish what Ryan set out to accomplish in this, as Ed Sullivan would say, his "big shoe." I grew up on mid 60s/early 70s variety shows and if Shawn Ryan wants to bring it back, I say fine.

Steve Murray
Cabaret Scenes
August 24, 2007
www.cabaretscenes.org