Ride the Cyclone is a one-act dark comedy musical with a book and lyrics written by Brooke Maxwell and Jacob Richmond, the second installment in the “Uranium Teen Scream Trilogy.” The story is about six high school choir students from Uranium City, Saskatchewan, who pass away in a tragic roller coaster accident. In the afterlife, they meet a mechanical fortune teller, “The Amazing Karnak,” who offers one of the members a second chance at life by bringing them back. Throughout a series of songs and monologues, each character shares their story, their hopes, regrets, and identity. In the end, each member has to band together to decide who deserves to return to the living. Ride the Cyclone originally premiered in 2008 at the Atomic Vaudeville theater in Victoria, British Columbia. However, the most notable and popular production was the 2016 Off-Broadway run at the Lucille Lortel Theater in New York City, NY. The 2016 production opened on November 30, 2016, and closed soon after on December 28th of the same year. The character list includes Ocean O’Connell Rosenberg, Mischa Bachinski, Noel Gruber, Ricky Potts, Constance Blackwood, and Jane Doe.
Track List:
- “Karnak’s Dream of Life”
- “The Uranium Suite”
- (Fun Fact: This is one of FOUR versions of this song! The other versions include “Fall Fair Suite,” “Waiting for the Drop,” and “Tragic Fact.”)
- “Jane Doe’s Entrance”
- “What the World Needs”
- “Noel’s Lament”
- “Every Story’s Got a Lesson”
- “This Song is Awesome”
- “Talia”
- “Space Age Bachelor Man”
- “The Ballad of Jane Doe”
- “The New Birthday Song”
- “Sugar Cloud”
- “It’s Not a Game / It’s Just a Ride”
Ride the Cyclone is a musical that got me back into them after I was not too interested in them. After discovering it through a clip of Emily Rohm (who plays Jane Doe) singing “The Ballad of Jane Doe,” I instantly fell in love with it. The overall aesthetic of the musical is what truly drew me in as well. The intricate, yet simple, stage design is to die for, as well. One major plus about the musical is its character design and how each character is thought out to be. The clashing personalities, such as Noel and Ocean, as well as those who linger behind, such as Jane Doe and Constance, each character has a distinct personality and musical style, making them feel real rather than just characters on a stage. With music styles, the music keeps the audience entertained as each character’s song is played, spreading through a wide list of genres. For example, “Talia,” Misha’s solo, shows his softer, less dominating side through a traditional Ukrainian sound. However, Constance’s solo, “Sugar Cloud,” is a fun pop song that shows Constance’s confidence rise as she finally begins to accept her passing and realizes that she’s at peace with it. The show’s way of exploring heavy topics of death, regret, and the meaning of life is tied perfectly with the dark comedy and absurd humor used throughout. Each character has one-liners that are absolutely hilarious, but each character also knows when to be serious and let emotions out. The balance between humor and seriousness is fleshed out in a sensible way. One of my favorite tracks, “The Uranium Suite,” has an incredible blend of genres, fun lyrics, and amazing harmonies. The way each actor’s voice blends together creates such a pleasant experience for the listener. I especially enjoy how they blend so well while still being able to hear each person’s distinct voice. Another hilarious point of this show is the cast album. Throughout the track “Welcome…,” The Amazing Karnak welcomes you to the album and makes multiple jokes that break the fourth wall, talking about how “Yes, this is the talking part of the album that you will remove from the playlist in future rotations.”
If I were given the opportunity to be in this musical, I would love to play the roles of Constance or Ocean. Both characters are best friends with one another; however, they both have very different personalities. Ocean is loud and confident in who she is and isn’t afraid to let people know that she’s better than them. Her solo, “What the World Needs,” pokes fun at every single person with her in limbo, and at the end, she stands at the top of the human pyramid they make. The song is full of hilarious lyrics, and her development throughout the musical is very refreshing. Similarly, I would like to play Constance, as her lines are some of my favorites throughout the show, and her character development as she comes to terms with her death is so beautiful. Her solo, “Sugar Cloud,” is one of my favorite songs throughout the entire tracklist.
Overall, I would 100% recommend this musical. If you’re someone who enjoys musicals that balance dark humor with deep, emotional storytelling, is a fan of musicals that span multiple genres, or just wants a musical that is fun to watch throughout, this musical would be an amazing addition to your list.
