Duplex's Broadway Downtown Features Ric Ryder on April 24

The Duplex Cabaret is pleased to continue our celebrated BROADWAY DOWNTOWN series on Monday, April 24th at 7pm, when we welcome Ric Ryder to our stage for a one night only concert event. There is a $15 cover charge, as well as a two-drink minimum. Credit cards are accepted, and no one under 21 will be permitted. The Duplex Cabaret Theatre is located at 61 Christopher St., in the heart of New York's West Village. For reservations, please call 212.255.5438.

Broadway Downtown, now its second year, is an acclaimed series of The Duplex Cabaret Theatre, featuring one night only concerts from some of our favorite Broadway performers. Past participants have included Judy Blazer (Titanic), Kristy Cates (Wicked), Darius DeHaas (Rent), Barrett Foa (Avenue Q), Trent Armand Kendall (Into the Woods), Michael Longoria (Jersey Boys), Karen Mason (Mamma Mia!), Sally Mayes (Steel Magnolias), Christiane Noll (Jekyll and Hyde), Anne Runolfsson (The Phantom of the Opera), Kate Shindle (Jekyll and Hyde), Marty Thomas (Wicked) and Barbara Walsh (Hairspray).

Ric Ryder made his Broadway debut in the original company of Senator Joe in 1989, directed by the legendary Tom O'Horgan. Immediately following, he was cast in the original company of the Tony-nominated Starmites. In 1994, Mr. Ryder replaced Shawn Cassidy in the smash hit Blood Brothers, starring opposite singer/songwriter Carole King and then Helen Reddy. In 1996, he was seen as "Doody" in the revival of Grease! starring Rosie O'Donnell, until it's closing in 1998. In 2002, Mr. Ryder joined the company of the hit revival of The Music Man, directed by Susan Stroman.

Off-Broadway, Mr. Ryder starred in the 1999 New York premier of the stage adaptation of the famous Al Jolson film The Jazz Singer at Jewish Rep. Variety called him ".a truly thrilling singer. in his boyish attitude and appearance he recalls Donald O'Connor." The NY Daily News said ".a pretty potent singer. With a powerful tenor, Ryder brings the house down at least once when he pulls out all the stops." and TimeOut New York said "Ric Ryder has a sweet, brassy voice that flows out into the auditorium like a river of honey." Also off-Broadway; he appeared as "the Priest" in William Finn's A New Brain directed by Graciella Daniele at Lincoln Centre, the 1992 revival of Chess and starred as "the narrator" in the 1989 Lamb's Theatre annual production of The Gifts of the Magi by Mark St.Germain and Randy Courts.

In the 1995-96 season, Mr. Ryder received glowing reviews as "Doody" in the national tour of Grease! starring Sally Struthers, Jon Secada and many others. The LA Times said that ".the most notable moments in Grease! come from Ric Ryder blasting the chord changes in the mock anthem 'Those Magic Changes'." The Star Tribune of Minneapolis said ".stand-out, driven by vocal chords, Ric Ryder has an innocent, fresh-faced presence a la Rickey Nelson," and The Kansas City Star said ".Ric Ryder is very nearly a show-stopper." In the 1990-91 season, Mr. Ryder toured the country in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Starlight Express. Other touring credits include the 2001 revival of Leader of the Pack, starring former Supreme Mary Wilson. Also on tour, he played the role of "the boy" in the 30 year anniversary tour of The Fantasticks with Tom Jones reprising his role as "the old actor" and Harvey Schmidt at the piano.

On Film, Mr. Ryder can be heard as one of the "Henchman" in Walt Disney's animated feature Hunchback of Notre Dame.