Recent RFH Graduate Has a Lead Role in Local Production of South Pacific

Recent (RFH) graduate and Rumson resident Austin Dornan Ryan has been performing in school and community theatrical productions since he was ten years old and appeared in Carousel for Phoenix Productions. This week, he opened in South Pacific at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center as Lt. Joe Cable, the young Marine who falls in love with the daughter of Bloody Mary of Bali Ha’i.

At RFH, Austin Ryan played the lead in last year’s spring production of Fiddler on the Roof and won the Basie Award as “Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical” for his performance. This year, he played the title role in Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street and was again nominated for the “Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical” Basie Award. He received the “Best Lead Actor in a Musical” award for this production from the Mainstage Center for the Arts Act I Festival. The same organization gave him their “Outstanding Physicality in a Drama” award for his lead performance in Hunchback of Notre Dame, the fall 2010 production of the RFH Tower Players. Andrew De Prisco, Executive Producer of South Pacific, saw the RFHRHS production of Sweeney Todd and urged Austin to audition for the part of Lt. Cable. Austin is starting college this fall at Marymount Manhattan where he is going to major in musical theater.

The Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal presents top quality shows, and well-known Broadway performers are frequent headliners. Jose de la Cuesta, a professional director and choreographer, came in from New York to direct the production. His Broadway credits include A Chorus Line, Sugar Babies, West Side Story and 42nd Street.  

Ryan learned a great deal working on this production. He said, “I had heard that the director was straight from The City and was ‘one of the best in the field’; this was somewhat intimidating. However, working with Jose de la Cuesta has taught me many priceless lessons. He has taught me a new style of acting which will be most valuable in my future.”

Ryan added that he learned from working with other members of the production as well. “I have also learned a great deal from the musical director, Dr. Jeffery Unger. He has taught me many new vocal techniques which I was unaware of, and implementing them has done wonders for my voice.”

Dr. Unger has taught vocal music at Wagner College, NYU, the Freehold Regional Performing Arts High School and privately, and he has been musical director for more than fifty shows ranging from Cape Cod summer stock to colleges and many outstanding local productions. He has also performed in many musicals.

RFH was well represented at the opening night performance. Many of Ryan’s classmates and past castmates attended to cheer him on, and their enthusiasm was boundless when they congratulated him after the show. Also in the audience were members of the Ryan family and many close friends.

Suzanne Sweeney, RFH Drama teacher and Director of the Tower Players productions, was in Ryan’s thoughts before the show. “I am so appreciative of Mrs. Sweeney," he said. "She suggested that I do more community theatre and urged me to do a show during this summer before I start college. She taught me proper theatre etiquette such as being early and being observant, and her guidance has helped a lot.”

South Pacific will run for another week with performances on Sundays, July 17 and 24 at 3 pm and Thursday, July 21 at 8 pm. Tickets are available from the Box Office at 732-531-9106, extension 142 or online at www.axelrodartscenter.com The Axelrod Performing Arts Center is located at 100 Grant Avenue in Deal Park. Tickets are $27.00 for adults and $23.00 for seniors and students.

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