Ride the Cyclone

Music, Book & Lyrics by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell

In this hilarious and outlandish story, the lives of six teenagers from a Canadian chamber choir are cut short in a freak accident aboard a roller coaster. When they awake in limbo, a mechanical fortune teller invites each to tell a story to win a prize like no other – the chance to return to life. Through a wondrously funny and touching series of songs, the teen contestants argue that they should be the ones to be saved. Told with moving insights into adolescence as well as dark comedic style benefiting the outrageousness of its premise, Ride the Cyclone is a memorable and original musical. What makes a life well-lived? Who deserves to have a second chance? Which are the memories that we will treasure? All these questions and more are answered in Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell’s stunning work.

Licensed by: Concord Theatricals

Director: Todd Mathenia

Auditions: TBA

Run Dates: 

November 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28 (Friday & Saturday Evenings @7pm)
November 15, 22, 29 (Sunday Matinees @2pm)

Cast

• THE AMAZING KARNAK – Male, 35-50. Non-singing role; the narrator; a mechanical fortune-telling machine.
• OCEAN O’CONNELL ROSENBERG – Female, 18-25. The leader of the group, relentlessly competitive, sometimes cruel, though she sees herself as a virtuous person. High Broadway mix, with a pop quality; big range.
• MISCHA BACHINSKI – Male, 18-25. Adopted from the Ukraine as a teenager; he has thick Ukrainian dialect and a lot of rage; he is obsessed with Gangsta Rap and an enormous fan of Auto-Tune but has a hidden, soulful romantic side. Baritenor with the ability to sing lyrical Ukrainian folk music as well as rap.
• NOEL GRUBER – Male, 18-25. The only gay kid in Uranium; never had a relationship; obsessed by French New Wave cinema, he has fantasies of dying a tragic death. Must be able to sing in the style of a French chanteuse.
• RICKY POTTS – Male, 18-25. Ricky Potts is a mute boy with an overactive imagination. He gains the ability to speak in the afterlife and talks about his fantasies of the Zolarian galaxy. Baritone rock voice; basic accordion and/or tumbling a plus.
• CONSTANCE BLACKWOOD – Female, 18-25. Overweight, and outwardly okay with it, but also has a very deep self-loathing. Will do anything for Ocean’s friendship and allows herself to be used as a doormat; dubbed “the nicest girl in town,” a title she secretly despises. Very likable comic actress; alto belt with a rock edge.
• JANE DOE – Female, 18-25. She was decapitated in the accident, and no one claimed her body, even though she isn’t headless in the piece (but often carries around a headless doll). She reacts in a literal way and largely without emotion, almost robot-like; the other characters are totally freaked out by her. Classically trained soprano with a flexible coloratura upper range and some grit and meat in the lower register.
• VIRGIL THE RAT – The rodent chewing on the wires of Karnak that will ultimately lead to their demise. He also plays the bass guitar.
• TALIA – Natalia Muruska Bolinska, better known as Talia, is Mischa’s online fiancée, who regularly leaves mostly positive comments on Mischa’s “Bad Egg” YouTube videos. She represents the love and longing of Mischa, who is separated from her in the afterlife due to the roller coaster accident.

Production:

Assistant Director – Barbra Black
Stage Manager – Ethan Willett
Lights – TBA
Sound – TBA
Choreography – Cynthia Peralta
Music Director – Rebecca Keele
Producer – TBA
Set Construction – TBA
Set Decor – TBA
Costumes – TBA
Signage – TBA