Ride The Cyclone
Review by Ernest Goes To The Theatre/Ernest Edwards
What a fun show! The audience was really into this show! The audiences reaction was over the big top.
This 2009 musical has book, music and lyrics by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell. Lyric Arts production is directed by Marci Lutch.
I was at opening night of the Lyric Arts production of the musical Ride The Cyclone. Before the show even started, the carnival feel was strong at Lyric Arts. The scenery looked like the Wonderville Carnival. The background soundtrack before the show started was that of a carnival and along with the sounds of a rollercoaster ride. All that was missing was some fresh cotton candy and the smell of roasting nuts.
The story is about a high school choir in northern Saskatchewan who perform at The Wonderville Carnival. Then they all go on the Cyclone roller coaster and end up the afterlife. In the afterlife they meet the Great Casandra. Unlike other box crystal ball readers. Casandra can see the exact moment when you will die. She also knows her own death in impending as a rat is slowing chewing through her power cord.
As the six choir members learn, only one can get a second chance of life. Which has to be a unanimous vote.
Each cast member has their own song & moment to tell their story. Erik Hearing as Ricky Potts had a fun musical number that reminded me of Mein Herr from Cabaret. Dezhane Antionette as fabulous as the Great Casandra. Kaoru Shoji as Jane Doe had a beautiful voice, and her movements were well choreographed. This is a strong ensemble cast.
I also really liked the scenery by Cory Skold. The stage and looked felt like a carnival. The use of videos and projections were well done too.
This is a fun production. It’s creative. It’s different. It’s wonderful and fabulous. The show is also 90 minutes with no intermission.
Step right up and buy a ticket for the Cyclone. Hop on and enjoy the ride. You will not be disappointed. Ride The Cyclone runs through February 8, 2026. Check out www.lyricarts.org for tickets.
