Ride the Cyclone at Alliance Theatre

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 1/4/19 at 11:11am

I know were a long way out from the run, but Im curious if anyone knows if this run will be a replica of the past production or its own thing. Im aware the director of the past production past away last spring after the Seattle run so Im wondering if that affects things.

[jpbran]

Posted: 1/4/19 at 1:47pm

Curious about this one too... Have seen two thoroughly mediocre shows at Alliance (Tuck Everlasting & The Prom), but have always wanted to see Cyclone. 

[ARTc3]

Posted: 1/4/19 at 8:41pm

Of course, I don't know how this production will be received, but I do know the material and I'd say it's an uphill climb. The material is pretty mediocre.

[HugoP]

Posted: 1/5/19 at 12:10am

I try to see every Alliance musical production and have been everything from thrilled (HARMONY) to deeply underwhelmed (BULL DURHAM, GHOST BROTHERS OF DARKLAND COUNTY and AIDA).  There have been a bunch of crowdpleasers that I've just enjoyed (THE PROM, SISTER ACT) and a few that I was convinced could eventually become good -- but didn't (BRING IT ON).     I'll be in the audience in a few weeks for EVER AFTER.

But I saw RIDE THE CYCLONE Off-Broadway and I thought it was terrible.     I was sorry to see it on the Alliance line-up this season.   I will likely attend it anyway, Not sure what the appeal is about this material.

[yshielynn]

Posted: 1/5/19 at 7:50am

Do you use Lazada Voucher at Alliance Theatre?

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 4/10/19 at 9:37am

Looks like it has the core five actors that have traveled to each production, plus for the most part the same creative team. Just a new director. Curious to hear about any changes made for the Atlanta run. https://alliancetheatre.org/production/2018-19/ride-the-cyclone

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 4/10/19 at 12:20pm

I remember when this had its American premiere in Chicago, it was really well received and was a big hit. Then the production transferred to New York and everyone hated it. I'm not sure what happened there.

I personally haven't gotten to see it yet, and there isn't even a cast recording of the entire score. The clips I've seen on YouTube though seemed interesting, and it sounds like a neat concept.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/10/19 at 12:54pm

I remember when this had its American premiere in Chicago, it was really well received and was a big hit. Then the production transferred to New York and everyone hated it. I'm not sure what happened there.

Remember Desire Under the Elms at Goodman?  Same thing.  How Chicago rates a show is irrelevant to how it may be received in NY.  I've seen several shows that were highly revered in Chicago, ESPECIALLY if there is any whiff of a possible Broadway/Off-Broadway transfer, that were just awful.  I haven't seen Ride the Cyclone, but to hear it wasn't well-received in NY is really not that surprising.

[trentsketch]

Posted: 4/10/19 at 1:23pm

The creative team has made a lot of changes to the material over the years. They're clearly taking their time and making the best version of the show they can. I'm pretty sure the off-Broadway run was where they introduced the new opening number.

It's also a really weird, dark show that is just polarizing. I loved it in NY but I have a friend who thinks that production was one of the worst shows he ever saw. 

[Charley Kringas Inc]

Posted: 4/10/19 at 1:27pm

My biggest problem when it was in Seattle was with how awkwardly it was caught between being a funny concept cabaret piece and being a more put-together musical with something to say. It has the potential to be a very Putnam County style show, but they really need to pull it together and find a way to more consistently mine its own point/heart. There’s a lot of pulled punches for a dark comedy about dead teenagers.

[DoTheDood]

Posted: 4/10/19 at 1:33pm

Mister Matt said: "How Chicago rates a show is irrelevant to how it may be received in NY. I've seen several shows that were highly revered in Chicago, ESPECIALLY if there is any whiff of a possible Broadway/Off-Broadway transfer, that were just awful."

I feel like Tootsie is having that happen rn (at least from people at previews). In Chicago, it got raves but now it's opening on Broadway, a lot of people are finding the score a problem. I doubt it will be panned but it will not get the same reviews like it did in Chicago. Just seems odd since they didn't seem to change anything major.

[Charley Kringas Inc]

Posted: 4/10/19 at 2:00pm

I mean, if they didn’t change anything about Tootsie then that is a bit of a major issue - Tootsie was great for an out of town preview but it needed changes, for sure.

[Kad]

Posted: 4/10/19 at 5:10pm

I was quite vocal of my dislike of Cyclone when it was Off-Broadway at MCC, and I thought its faults were pretty much unfixable. I don't even think it's particularly dark and edgy, unless you think Hot Topic is dark and edgy. 

It's a show that's been kicking around for a while (since 2008, apparently), and when shows do that, they tend to not actually improve, but rather make a lot of sideways moves. 

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/10/19 at 6:09pm

but now it's opening on Broadway, a lot of people are finding the score a problem.

That can be said of every Yazbek show before the cast recording is released.  But then, I've found nearly all of his scores to be instantly catchy and memorable.  Chicago critics were also very kind to The Last Ship (Hedy Weiss RAVED over that one).

[VotePeron]

Posted: 4/10/19 at 6:56pm

For what it’s worth, I adored Ride The Cyclone when it was at MCC. I’ve been waiting for a cast recording or bway transfer for the longest time. It sold out downtown, and was a critical success, too. I think a limited run at the Booth could help launch it to a long regional life, with it’s 5/6 person cast. 

[StageDoor3]

Posted: 4/11/19 at 4:47pm

I live on the west coast and saw the show in Seattle.  I like the score a lot.  I like the concept.  I agree with Charley Kringas Inc.  I think the story line needs more shaping, getting more into the characters than just their "presentation" numbers. And the ending needs to tie it together more strongly.  I wish the show the best and will be very interested in hearing about changes in the Alliance production.  And same as a lot of you have stated - I'd love a cast album (with cut songs even).

Updated On: 4/11/19 at 04:47 PM

[Phillytheatreguy10]

Posted: 4/11/19 at 4:56pm

I was quite vocal of my dislike of Cyclone when it was Off-Broadway at MCC, and I thought its faults were pretty much unfixable. I don't even think it's particularly dark and edgy, unless you think Hot Topic is dark and edgy. 

It's a show that's been kicking around for a while (since 2008, apparently), and when shows do that, they tend to not actually improve, but rather make a lot of sideways moves.

Kad, I couldn't agree more- I was also very vocal about my dislike.  I think the problems are unfixable right down to the casting, those choices are basically set in stone after 8 years with almost the same crew, it's almost hard to believe anything new or fresh coming from those involved at this point.  The fact it's still kicking around I don't think is necessarily helping it.  Maybe a new director can help minimally, but the material is what it is, and none of the performers give me hope of evolving- it's hard not to think they're walking through it at this point with it being so in their bones, it's easy to fall back on old habits. Emily Rohm was the bright spot for me.