Tony award nominee and actor Colton Ryan received the key to his native city of Lexington during a ceremony Friday.
Ryan was nominated last year for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his role as Jimmy Doyle in the Broadway adaptation of New York, New York.
He’s also known for his roles in the film adaptation of Dear Evan Hansen, television show The Girl From Plainville and Apple TV’s Little Voice.
He was recognized by Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton and Lexington Theatre Company co-founder Lyndy Franklin Smith during a presentation at the Lexington Opera House.
Smith said she and the Theatre Company got to see Ryan’s development as an actor firsthand.
“When those Tony nominations were announced, I'm pretty sure the shouts of joy from here in the Bluegrass echoed all the way to the Big Apple,” Smith said. “Pride, excitement, joy, happy tears. We and all of Lexington were overjoyed for him and this incredible achievement.”
Ryan credited the city’s arts and education institutions, like the Lexington Theatre Company and the School for the Creative and Performing Arts, for his success during the presentation.
“They saw me, completely, before I could even see myself,” Ryan said. “Arts education, luckily, in my household, was accessible by right – actually, by force. It has been the greatest luxury of my life. I don't believe it should be a luxury, I believe it should be by right for all children. And thankfully this town believes that mission too.”
During his visit, Ryan will be performing at this year’s edition of the Theatre Company’s Concert With The Stars, an annual cabaret-style concert of show tunes. The performance is scheduled for Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Lexington Opera House.
