Christopher Ryan

Director Christopher Ryan has done a marvelous job of coordinating and blocking all the action.  The cast remains on the sidelines and enters the action when needed.  At times, the entire cast is onstage with movements or dialogue or both in what seems like perpetual motion, all performed flawlessly.

-DOUG IDEN (LEAGUE OF CINCINNATI THEATRES)

This is the ideal show to perform in such an interesting space. Despite a steep audience rake and lower acoustics, director Christopher Ryan masterfully stages this production. It’s a tall order he handles well, from large ensemble movements to quieter, more intimate vignettes.

-NOAH MOORE (LEAGUE OF CINCINNATI THEATRES)

It has been a very long time since I have been moved to muffled sobs during a theatre performance.  Actually, I’m struggling to remember if I have ever been that moved.  Crying? Yes, I am easily moved to tears, but not sobbing. …Truly it was spectacular.

-DIANA MCGILL (PROVOST, NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY)

This Herod, who, surrounded by glamor-girls, steps onto the stage from a bathtub, was an absurd Jewish king by the Roman graces, whom Jesus accused of being a phony. I don’t know why this quirky character most reminds me of a rockstar like Iggy Pop.  Oh wait, yes I do: he delivers a star performance.

-SARA INSAGG (AUGSBURGER INTERNET-ZEITUNG)

Christopher Ryan is compelling as Caiaphas and compels laughter as Herod, who, at first, lounges in a golden bathtub then slips into a towel and some blue jellies to cut the rug with his harem.

-LAURA TÜRK (AUGSBURGER ALLGEMEINE)

Next I must pay tribute to the performance of the high priest: Christopher Ryan, as Caiaphas, shows real vocal edge.  He has a wonderful, clear stage presence and reveals, in his interpretation of the character, not a moment of hysteria, instead delivering a calculating high priest.  Without becoming vocally strident, he lends his text concise strength.  Absolutely superb!  

He was also able to skilfully demonstrate his vocal qualities, as Herod. This number had the audience laughing and applauding, at the premier. This was due, in addition to the excellent offering of the instrumentalists and the clever choreography, not lastly, in part to a whimsical but never farcical Herod.

-JULIA STOEHR (STOEHR.SCHLOSSER.INFO)

Of particular note, within the nearly 100 person ensemble, is Christopher Ryan as Caiaphas/Herod (what a booming bass!) 

-RICHARD MAYR (ALLGÄUER ZEITUNG 1.7.2019)

Small but of particular note, the performance of Christopher Ryan as the nastily-cynical Herod in a bubblebath. 

-BAUMILLER-GUGENBERGER (A3KULTUR)

Especially noteworthy here, is Christopher Ryan who received much applause for his humorous delivery as Herod. 

-(PRESSE-AUGSBURG.DE)

Christopher Ryan rolls, as the fabulously bizarre (fairytale-)Narrator, with a distinctive Jewish-flare, in a black floor-length coat and a wolf tophat, on a hoverboard through the action.

-RAINER NOLDEN (VOLKSFREUND.DE)

Christopher Ryan as Jekyll/Hyde has...alternating functions.  With, at times, only minimal changes in his body language and inflection, he makes it clear in every moment, in which function he is operating, and his acting is convincing at every turn.  Especially as Hyde, he brings an unbelievably intense physical energy to the stage.  He also demonstrates himself to be vocally malleable, and whether he's underlining Jekyll's softer side or Hyde's animalistic aggression, he finds the corresponding vocal application.

-THOMAS WAGNER (KULTURPOEBEL.DE)

The concept of the musical {Jekyll & Hyde} as an intimate piece, captivates through the transcendent voices of the three protagonists... Of particular note is Ryan's transformation from Jekyll to the murderous Hyde... 

-CHRISTIAN SPIELMANN (JOURNAL.LU)

A world class version of this world classic {Jekyll & Hyde}! ... This version of the show strains at borders and stirs passions.

-(SZENIK.EU)

Absolutely convincing is...the integration of the nosy neighbor Marge and her husband Charlie in the goings-on.  ...a completely persuasive parody of the small-town gossip mill, and Christopher Ryan's dry humor makes it all the more successful.

-SYLKEWOHLSCHIESS (MUSICALSPOT.DE)

The neighbors, Christopher Ryan (Charlie) and Conny Hain (Marge), deliver a hilarious couple, their dialogue oozes with comedy and provides for the majority of the evening's laughs, thanks to the two actors' impecibale comedic timing.

-STEPHAN HUBER (KULTURPOEBEL.DE)

At the end, only the Emcee remains (Christopher Ryan) ...With a drawn-on marionette face, he is much more the other-worldly puppet master, and overarching director, ubiquitous through the course of the piece.

-STEFANIE BRAUN (VOLKSFREUND.DE)

Always composed...and with perfectly harmonized vocals: Caiaphas (Christopher Ryan).

-MECHTHILD SCHNEIDERS (VOLKSFREIND.DE)

As “Mark” ...Christopher Ryan...was especially moving in the second act when he sang “Halloween”.  One could sense his sorrow, as he sold his film material and, therewith, his soul.

-BETTY (Time4Musical)

...most enthralling at the premiere was the ethereally floating voice of Christopher Ryan...

-RAIMUND MEISENBERGER (PASSAUER NEUE PRESSE)

More impressive than his physicality is his voice – flawless and excellent. Simply put. And, on top of that, he plays the saxophone.

-F. WEILER (DA HOG'N)

The soaring tenor of the juvenile Anthony Hope (Christopher Ryan) shines with great expression over the proceedings.

-HERWIG SLEZAK (LANDSHUT WOCHENBLATT)

Multifaceted. -MECHTHILD SCHNEIDERS (VOLKSFREUND.DE)

Christopher Ryan presents an outwardly introverted and blundering hireling, whose antics bring a grin to one's face and with whom one is simply compelled to empathize.

-R. IMPING (MUSICAL1.DE)

Christopher Ryan plays Seymour, the schmuck, quite charmingly .  His voice is one of the...highlights of the performance.

-SARAH DICKEL (LIVEKRITIK.DE)

...although his success as a "botanical genius," thrusts Seymour into the spotlight of public interest, his fundamental character doesn't change.  Ryan responds consequently with quiet modesty, even less demonstrative, and thereby achieves a very moving and believable performance...The Bari-Tenor doesn't leave you wanting vocally either.  He demonstrates great vocal ease as equally in his solos as in the ensemble numbers!

-SYLKE WOHLSCHIESS (THATSMUSICAL.DE)

Christopher Ryan pleases in both his vocal and emotional performance as Seymour.  The involuntary hero of the story, a "botanical genius" who "doesn't even have a GED," earns instead a great deal of empathy from the audience.

-GERHARD KECK FREUNDENSTADT (SCHWAELDER-BOTE.DE)

The soloists presented beautifully expressive voices that were a living ad-campaign for the musical theatre scene here.

-GK (PASSAUER NEUE PRESSE)

Christopher Ryan plays the shy Seymour and sings his way,...into my heart.  It sounds cheesy, I know, but he simply touched me.

-NICOLE RENSMANN (BLOG.NICOLE-RENSMANN.DE)

Ryan...was the absolute audience favorite.  As Audrey's tender lover ("Suddenly Seymour") or as Mushnik's soon-to-be adopted son ("Mushnik and Son"), he reveals a silky tenor voice.

-IMME LOHMEYER-LOREK (LÜBBECKE)