Ride the Cyclone
Ride the Cyclone
#1Ride the Cyclone
Posted: 4/1/15 at 3:57pm
Has anyone heard or seen this show, Ride the Cyclone?
It's getting a try out in Chicago later this year, with plans to bring it Off Broadway sometime next year.
It follows a teen choir who dies in a freak roller coaster accident. I'm assuming there's more to the plot than that.
The show's been a big hit in Canada where it originated, so it will be interesting to see what the reaction is when it comes to Chicago.
#2Ride the Cyclone
Posted: 4/1/15 at 4:14pm
Yeah, I'm friends with a number of people who have been involved with it over the years (it started here in Victoria.) I've seen about three of the various revisions, and it has been very successful on the touring circuit here--and certainly as far as Canadian quirky musicals go I wouldhave expected it to go Off-Broadway before Nevermore... (Though I think the last revision was espcially good, I admit, I don't love it as much as some of its rabid fanbase does.)
There's not ALL that more to the plot than that, really. Think Cats or something :P (OK that's not at all apt, but each character has their moment, there's pastiche, there's a vague sorta fortunetellercarnival Genie wish fulfillment story, etc.)
If you're interested, youtube has a TON of clips of its various incarnations (mostly with the same cast over the years--it feels like I first saw a very basic version nearly a decade back,) as well as local news interviews, etc. Here's a long clip of the tour from 3 or so years back in Edmonton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51m2_AwSJXo
Updated On: 4/1/15 at 04:14 PM
#2Ride the Cyclone
Posted: 4/1/15 at 4:56pm
I saw it a few years ago in Toronto and yeah, it is mostly each of the characters singing a song about their story (a little like A Chorus Line in that sense). I remember it being pretty engaging and enjoyable overall, though nothing that makes it stand out as a masterpiece.
Updated On: 4/1/15 at 04:56 PM
#3Ride the Cyclone
Posted: 10/15/15 at 7:21am
Ride the Cyclone has opened in Chicago to rave reviews. New York producers have flown in to see the production. It is an interesting pastiche show with 6 main characters. Great performances and production values. Could have a life Off-Broadway. Check below for info, pics and video.
https://www.chicagoshakes.com/plays_and_events/cyclone
If you are in Chicago between now and November 8 do not miss.
Updated On: 10/16/15 at 07:21 AM
#4Ride the Cyclone
Posted: 10/15/15 at 7:35am
I saw the original tour up here in Vancouver several years ago, my friend did the costume design for the production at the time. A truly incredible show, even back then there were murmurs of New York, so glad to hear it may finally be headed that way. It's an incredible show.
MVintheheartland
Featured Actor Joined: 11/19/13
#5Ride the Cyclone
Posted: 10/15/15 at 7:58am
Thanks for posting this. Looks interesting. I live in Chicago, hope to catch it before it closes.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#6Ride the Cyclone
Posted: 10/15/15 at 10:02am
Sounds a bit Hands on a Hardbody to me.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
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RippedMan
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/14/05
#7Ride the Cyclone
Posted: 10/15/15 at 11:02pm
I feel like those kinds of shows can be super hit or miss (Hit: Spelling Bee) (MIss: Hands on a Hardbody)
broadwayindie
Featured Actor Joined: 10/3/14
#8Ride the Cyclone
Posted: 10/15/15 at 11:17pm
Just saw this show! I don't want to get into specifics, but this show is unbelievable. The show is so polished and the book is so complex for a show that is so simplistic on the surface. The cast was incredible and they should all transfer, if they want to. These are truly some of the best musical theatre Chicago actors. I'm still blown away and I'm not typically this amazed by a show. Once again I can get into specifics, but part of the beauty of the show is not knowing what to expect once you are in there.
As for previous comments I think this is a far better show than Spelling Bee, it's a lot darker, more complex, creative and frankly funnier. It's also a lot more polished than Spelling Bee ever was, and I am actually a fan of Spelling Bee, I just thought Cyclone was a much better show, it you want to compare the two.
#9Ride the Cyclone
Posted: 10/16/15 at 12:10am
Reviews:
http://www.theatreinchicago.com/ride-the-cyclone/reviews/7927/
Updated On: 10/16/15 at 12:10 AM
ARTc3
Broadway Star Joined: 8/5/13
#10Ride the Cyclone
Posted: 10/26/15 at 7:39am
Just got back from Chicago and seeing, Ride the Cyclone. Its good. New World Stages good. The current Chicago cast is superb at times making the material soar. The book is enjoyable and very funny, but doesn't quite hit its mark if its about mass tragedies as one interview with its authors suggested. I can definitely see this having a successful Off-Broadway run. Curious to see if it moves.
ARTc3 formerly ARTc. Actually been a poster since 2004. My name isn't Art. Drop the "3" and say the signature and you'll understand.
#11Ride the Cyclone
Posted: 10/26/15 at 1:04pm
"These are truly some of the best musical theatre Chicago actors."
I know at least two of the actors are from the Canadian productions--and assumed they all were...
#12Ride the Cyclone
Posted: 10/26/15 at 1:32pm
No. All but one of the actors are Chicago regulars.
I've been super surprised by the raves this show has received. There's not doubt that the production is TOP notch. Fantastic set, choreography, lighting... everything really. The singing and the acting is just wonderful. However, the material is kind of... I don't know... lacking. The book sets up an interesting set of circumstances but the songs are only tangentially related. They don't seem to speak to the characters as described by the book, or the overall theme of the piece. That said, the songs on their own are lovely... and the book is lovely... they just seem so completely disconnected.
Anytime anyone was singing it would take me out of it. As the song went on I'd get immersed in it... but then we'd return to the book. It honestly felt like some composer had written a bunch of different songs for different shows that didn't pan out... and they came up with this Cats like plot to weave unrelated songs together.
If you have any interest in the material and you're in the area... you should absolutely go. I can't imagine a production that would better serve the material... I'm just not sure why the material has been given such a loving production.
Jesus saves. I spend.
broadwayindie
Featured Actor Joined: 10/3/14
#13Ride the Cyclone
Posted: 10/26/15 at 8:58pm
SPOILER ALERT
@KJisgroovy you didn't think the songs added to the character development? I felt that that was the only way we could really understand the characters and their depressing lives, which I felt was the plot of the show. I felt the show's strength was that it depended on the development of these characters, and then we care which one lived. Not trying to pick a fight, just trying to understand how you understood the show as there is some that I'm still digesting.
#14Ride the Cyclone
Posted: 10/26/15 at 11:17pm
I saw it a few weeks back in previews, and enjoyed it, It really reminded me a lot of Spelling Bee, but I agree that it just needs a bit more work to really resonate. The songs and the book scenes didn't seem quite as connected as they should have been (although I do think the songs were the stronger of the two- it was the only real opportunity to understand what makes the kids tick). With a bit more work, I think it would play really well off-broadway.
#15Ride the Cyclone
Posted: 10/27/15 at 12:11am
No fight picked!
SPOILERS It felt like who the characters were in the songs often contradicted who they were in the book. The character played by Lillian Castillio... she had a really wrenching monologue... it seemed like the happiness she achieved was hard fought and deeply earned... but we then hear a song the is just about her being generically happy. It's a lovely song, but it doesn't serve the character revelations we've just heard.
The song the disabled character sang... while really funny, well sung and well performed... it didn't give us any more insight to the character... it felt like a silly diversion. So the book did all this work describing his inner life... and then the song was just a fun song. And would anyone ever sing a song about being the sexy king of the space cats (or whatever it was) in an effort to be reincarnated? It was hard for me to know how serious to take the characters, since they seemed so vapid whenever they were singing.
Anyway. I'm just rambling. The book didn't align with the characters in any meaningful way for me. The first song did... the democracy girl... and the headless girl... but... the rest just felt like fun, cute songs only tangentially related to the characters or the theme of the piece.
Jesus saves. I spend.
#16Ride the Cyclone
Posted: 10/27/15 at 12:42am
Apparently one of the actors who I read was meant to go with it didn't in the end so thanks for your correction--only Kholby stayed with it (I guess I should read his messages better...)
I do agree that there's some disconnect between the book and the songs.
broadwayindie
Featured Actor Joined: 10/3/14
#17Ride the Cyclone
Posted: 10/27/15 at 5:20pm
@KJisgroovy thanks! I don't know if I agree with you but definitely see where you are coming from.
Platypus
Featured Actor Joined: 11/13/07
#18Ride the Cyclone
Posted: 10/27/15 at 6:55pm
I also saw it way back when in Toronto. I thought it was a lot of fun in a very dark, quirky way. I did feel that the songs were a bit disconnected, but in a way that contributed to the quirkiness of it all, if that makes sense. There was a also a non-musical prequel that came out a few years later called Legoland, which was equally dark and witty.
#19Ride the Cyclone
Posted: 10/27/15 at 7:38pm
I'm pretty sure Legoland originally came out first--but Cyclone has had so many revisions over the years, I could be wrong.
#20Ride the Cyclone
Posted: 10/30/15 at 10:33pm
Just got out of tonight's performance and overall I had a great time. This show is stupendous. I think this show has a chance to go off Broadway, possibly Broadway? I asked one of the cast members after the show and they told how much they love doing the show and how they want to continue with it as it goes ahead in life. Also Emily as jane doe was fantastic. I saw her in mary poppins at the paramount and damn is she a versatile actress. Loved the entire, but one thing that put a damper on my night was the lady sitting next spilling wine on my pants.
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MrsSallyAdams
Broadway Star Joined: 11/12/13
#21Ride the Cyclone
Posted: 10/31/15 at 9:24am
I enjoyed this show immensely but can agree with the other posters on the structural issues. I've read this piece began as a song cycle and you can definitely see the seams between the book and score.
Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content
The thin plot is focused on the journey of the three women. The men have their songs clumped together in the middle of the show and have little character development outside of them.
threepanelmusicals.blogspot.com
Updated On: 11/23/15 at 09:24 AM
romain2
Featured Actor Joined: 12/16/10
#22I loved it and so did the New York Times! Bravo!
Posted: 11/10/15 at 9:20pm
I saw it in Chicago and loved the show! Great songs, absurd yet oddly poignant, and a thrilling cast. Loved every minute of it.
And Charles Isherwood just raved, too:
BroadwayNerd246012
Swing Joined: 11/15/15
#23I loved it and so did the New York Times! Bravo!
Posted: 11/19/15 at 5:24pm
Can someone tell me what the plot of the show was? (Spoilers appreciated for I will probably never see the show)
MrsSallyAdams
Broadway Star Joined: 11/12/13
#24I loved it and so did the New York Times! Bravo!
Posted: 11/23/15 at 12:09pm
Sure thing BroadwayNerd. I just learned how to SpoilerTag so here's a spoiler-filled plot summary of the show.
Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content
Six teens arrive in limbo. The Amazing Karnak, a mechanical fortune teller, tells them that they have died in a roller coaster accident. Karnak too will die soon as a rat is chewing his power cable. He offers to use the last of his power to send one of them back to the land of the living.
Ocean Rosenberg, an overachieving Rachel Berry type, insults the other teens for their dead-end lives. She sings that she deserves more life as she's the only one with the potential for success. (The World Needs People Like Me) . Karnak then tells her that the winner must be decided by unanimous vote.
Four of the teens sing about their hopes, dreams and fantasies. (This is the highlight of the show but stop the plot entirely). One, Jane Doe, sings about despair. She was decapitated in the accident and no one claimed the body. Her spirit has no memory of who she was and no idea what will happen to her in the afterlife.
At last it is time for the vote but Karnak changes the rules. He tells Ocean that she alone will get the deciding vote. Having a crisis of conscience she refuses to vote for herself. She votes for Jane Doe saying that Jane is the only one who doesn't have memories to take to the afterlife with her. Jane goes through the portal and regains her memories. They are not shared with the audience but we see a quick home movie of her remaining life from youth to old age. The other teens sing a peppy song (It's a Ride) as their spirits travel to whatever comes next.
threepanelmusicals.blogspot.com
Updated On: 11/24/15 at 12:09 PM
