Performers!

Amy Dunlap Beane is a middle-aged Oak Park mom with several secret(ish) identities. She is an actor with a BFA from Boston University’s College of Fine Arts who has spent over 20 years on Chicago stages. She loves performing new work, awkward comedy, and embraces invitations to sing. Amy is also a certified Martha Beck Wayfinder Life Coach. She would welcome a conversation with you about what that means. Thanks to Jonathan and Dan for including her in the Meyer/Gourlay Cabaret! 

Dan Fox is an east coast transplant who has fully embraced the culture and patois of the great Midwest. A serial musical monogamist, Dan has left a trail of rock and roll bands in his wake, but is experimenting with an open relationship--playing guitar and singing with Oak Park stalwarts LoveHouse and Ian Leith's many musical ensembles. The Meyer Gourlay Cabaret marks his first theatrical work since Bethesda Chevy Chase High School's 1993 production of Fiddler on the Roof. When not performing music, Dan is a husband (Susan) and father (Adam, age 12), son and uncle, a video producer and an intermittent tinkerer. 

Kristin Gourlay hails from Oak Park. This is her first cabaret but hopefully not her last. She has been a singer since she can remember, in musicals, in a Bulgarian women's choir, a Georgian choir, in a ukulele trio, and even her block's band. By day she's a writer. She has two children and a husband, who is the lyricist (which gives her bragging rights).

Ryan de Ryke, praised for his versatility and rich musicality, has appeared at Aldeburgh, Aix-en-Provence, and Edinburgh festivals, with acclaimed roles in oratorio, opera, and art song. He’s an alumnus of prestigious institutions including the Peabody Conservatory and Royal Academy of Music. Read more about Ryan and pre-order his latest CD here.

Jonathan Gourlay (lyrics) started writing lyrics in class with poet Marvin Bell at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. He’s the author of a little non-fiction book, Nowhere Slow. Recent publications include Archetype magazine and a short story in the collection Across the Moors and Tides. He is married to fabulous writer and singer Kristin Gourlay and has two children. Ask him about his inter-disciplinary PhD in Humanities sometime. Then back slowly away while he talks about sea cucumbers.

Dan Meyer (piano / music) lives with his 9-year-old son in Baltimore where in 2009 he founded and continues to direct the Dan Meyer Choir – a choir that only sings the music he wrote. His church music is published by GIA Publications. In his spare time, Dan enjoys hiking, biking, reading and being the full-time choral director at Parkville High School.

Brian Kinyon is a brilliant sound engineer. Bobby’s Eastside (and Robert’s Westside) supports local artists. Thanks to Donnie Biggins and all the support staff.