BWW Reviews: Singer Joan Ryan Brings Smashing On the Edge to Catalina Jazz Club

On Sunday June 1 Joan Ryan brought her 2013 BWW award-winning show to the Catalina Jazz Club. The show was recently retitled On the Edge. The evening was a benefit for the Trevor Project and brought a special guest star to the stage Will and Grace's Eric McCormack.

Ryan played to a sold-out house and knocked it out of the park, essaying "Shall We Dance?", "Bring Him Home", Sondheim's "Move On" and Schwartz's "Mealowlark", as well as career highlights from Ruthless and a very funny medley which defined her definitively as a beltaholic. Paired with McComack, Ryan scored triumphantly with "Suddenly Seymour" from Little Shop of Horrors. The duet was hysterical. McCormack then lit up the stage with a lesser known but dynamic song made famous by Burton Cummings the lead singer of The Guess Who: "Dream of a Child". He rocked and should perform more frequently in cabaret. The incomparable Todd Schroeder was at the piano as musical director and Tim Christensen accompanied on bass, Jack LeCompte on drums, Bill Brendle on keyboard and Rob Kyle on sax. Quite an electric ensemble of musicians! Andrew MacBean served skillfully as director of On the Edge.

Needless to say, the evening was a tremendous success and Ryan, the consummate singer, remains one of the best around, especially in a cabaret setting where her range, personality and warmth may be thoroughly appreciated.

(Photo Credit: Aimee Curameng)