10 Questions with Cathey Ryan

10 Questions with Cathey Ryan

Noises Off – 2018 – Cathey Ryan

Cathey is a relative newcomer to the Coaster Theatre stage with her first show, in the fall of 2017, Blithe Spirit. Her second romp on the Coaster Theatre stage is as Dotty Otley in the madcap mayhem of “Noises Off” this spring. But entertainment is not new to Cathey as she has been involved in the world of stage, film, TV and stand-up performances since age 16. She and her husband have both had wonderful experiences in the entertainment world from Los Angeles to Miami and are grateful for any and all experiences available at the Coaster Theatre.

Cathey and her husband Thomas (also an experienced actor and musician) retired to Seaside in early 2017. The Coaster Theatre family welcomed them in the fall of last year and they have performed in 2 shows (Blithe Spirit and Noises Off) and served as stage crew on another (A Christmas Carol: The Musical).

Cathey has also been able to join the Programming Committee (a sub-committee of the Coaster Theatre Board of Directors tasked with selecting the shows for each season) and is learning a lot about how the theatre works to provide great entertainment for the Oregon North Coast.

There is nothing like live theatre to touch the soul and Cathey hopes to remain an active member of The Coaster Theatre for many years to come.

Noises Off – 2018 – (left to right) Katrina Godderz, Katherine Lacaze, Cathey Ryan, Daric Moore

1. What is your present state of mind?
I am grateful. My world is full of delightful wonders from a hot shower and a potato peeler to my amazing, loving family and wonderful friends. I’ve been married to my best friend for 36 years and can’t imagine life without My Darlin’ Man, Thomas. And I am, of course, grateful to all at the Coaster Theatre for welcoming us with open arms and providing such a marvelous playground and playmates.

2. Who are your favorite playwrights?
Give me a playwright that can capture comedy like Michael Frayn,  Shakespeare, and Neil Simon, or a writer/writing team of musical theatre such as Sondheim, Cole Porter, Bernstein, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Kander, Ebb and Fosse and George & Ira Gershwin…. I could go on and on! You simply can’t beat comedy and music!!

3. Your favorite musician(s)?
Hands down, The Beatles. They changed music, they changed the world, they changed me. Their soul touching melodies and the poetry of their lyrics live in me and continue to touch and gather new fans even today. A world without their music would be a sad world, indeed.

4. Who are your favorite characters?
I’ve adored playing Miss Hannigan (Annie), Mame (Mame), and Nancy Twinkle (Little Mary Sunshine). Another favorite is Persimmon, my alter ego and my half of a stand up comedy act created with my husband Thomas… We are Wendell and Persimmon. And now, of course, I happily add Dotty Otley to the list of favorites because she is an absolute hoot to inhabit.

Blithe Spirit – 2017 – (left to right) Thomas Ryan, Katrina Godderz, Karen Martin, David Sweeney, Cathey Ryan

5. Who are your heroes in real life?
My parents were good, kind and gentle people with contagious laughs and positive outlooks. My first theatre coach, Billie Daniels, made me believe a short, fat kid could find a home on stage. And now I watch my children embrace life with humor, intelligence and determination and they knock my socks off. All are my real life heroes.

6. What natural gift would you most like to possess?
Athleticism. I think it would be amazingly grand to turn cartwheels at a moment’s notice, surf in the world’s oceans and hang glide from the tops of mountains and so much more.

7. What is your most marked characteristic?
This was a difficult question for me. I see myself as a kind and positive person most of the time but this answer from a friend (yes I asked for others opinions) struck me as THE answer. I have an openness to and appreciation of all that the world has to offer.

8. What do you most value in your friends?
I value kindness and a willingness to find the good in the world around them.

Blithe Spirit – 2017 – (left to right) Cathey Ryan, Ellen Jensen, Katrina Godderz, Thomas Ryan

9. If you could be anyone throughout history, who would you have been?
Let me be one of the world’s clowns that have brought so much needed laughter with them: Gilda Radner, Fanny Brice, Lily Tomlin, Charlie Chaplin, Lucille Ball, Robin Williams,  …… so many I cannot choose just one.

10. What is your motto?
My motto would have to be: “Every person and situation that enters my life brings a gift.” Granted, sometimes that gift comes wrapped in hideously ugly paper ….. But, there is always a gift to be found if I am willing to look for it.