For the 16th year, the Richmond Ermet Aid Foundation will be staging "Help Is On the Way for the Holidays," a Christmas extravaganza followed by an even bigger afterparty, all for the best of causes. REAF's mission is to raise funds for HIV services, hunger programs, and support for homeless and disenfranchised youth. REAF was co-founded by bereaved moms Barbara Richmond and Peggy Ermet, who envisioned a world without AIDS.
This year's holiday show takes place on Mon., Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m. at the Marines Memorial Theater. A silent auction will begin at 6 p.m. prior to the show. This year's beneficiaries are Larkin Street Youth Services and Project Open Hand. Performers include San Francisco's very own Gregangelo, along with cast members from the hit Disney musical "Aladdin," currently playing at the Orpheum Theater.
The evening's bill also includes singer Shawn Ryan, an openly gay semi-finalist on "America's Got Talent," who told the B.A.R. he was delighted to be supporting the mission of REAF and "Help Is On the Way" XVI.
"The organization does so much great work for so many different charities," Ryan said. "The audiences are so wonderful, the demand for funds will never cease. We have the ability to support our fellow man, and it's important that we do that."
Ryan is a fan of "Aladdin," and he's thrilled to be sharing the stage with its cast members. "I'm excited to see what they bring to the table."
This isn't the first time Ryan has worked with Broadway casts at REAF shows. "I've met some of my dearest friends working at REAF," he said. "I've worked with performers from 'Kinky Boots' and 'Newsies.' I got to be a Newsie for a night, which was thrilling."
In doing AIDS fundraisers, Ryan wants the younger generations to be aware of the fact that HIV is still an issue. "AIDS awareness is crucial, as is STD awareness," he said. "Prep does not cure all. Millennials are really in a tough situation in terms of needing education. I grew up not even knowing that you could have sex without a condom."
While HIV remains an issue, Ryan assures us that being an out gay man in the cabaret world is a total non-issue. "It was never a decision I had to make," he explained. "My parents were insanely supportive. I feel so fortunate."
Ryan is so out that he was dubbed "the Other Queen of Cabaret" by his close friend, cabaret superstar Andrea Marcovicci, who's often been called the Queen of Cabaret. "Andrea still calls me the Other Queen of Cabaret," he said with a laugh. "I take the title graciously and wear the crown."
Ryan is still putting his REAF act together, but shared that he might be performing "Santa Claus Got Stuck in My Chimney," a somewhat naughty Christmas ditty that has been recorded by jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald. "It takes on a whole new meaning when a gay man sings it," he said.
Ryan hopes that his fans will also come out to see him at his solo show on Dec. 17 at the Sound Room in Oakland. "It's a twisted holiday show," he promised. "It's all the holiday tunes you thought you knew. There's going to be some pretty out-there material."
Ticket info: www.reaf-sf.org.
Cabaret artist Shawn Ryan: "We have the ability to support our fellow man." Photo: Courtesy REAF