Our Lives Matter(ed): Eulogies by Five Teenagers in the Cyclone

Ride the Cyclone, the Beck Center for the Arts collaboration with Baldwin Wallace University, directed by Victoria Bussert

Set in the amusement park in a small town called Uranium City—to ominously suggest a post-apocalyptic world—five high school students who belong to the choir group get on the rollercoaster ride, “The Cyclone.” During the ride, they were thrown out of their seats to the ground due to a mechanical failure.

Each student–Ocean O’Connell Rosenberg, Constance Blackwood, Noel Gruber, Ricky Potts, and Mischa Bachinski–has their distinctive personalities, histories, and dreams—which would not be materialized. That’s why the stories they share in their “last playground” become meaningful and profound to the extent that their shared stories would determine who they really “were” rather than they would be remembered by others. Many familiar themes and story and narrative devices/structures that remind the audience of those in SIX, The Wizard of Oz, Spring Awakening, and A Chorus Line make the show even more appealing.

Scenic and lighting designer Trad A. Burns created a lighted whirlpool extending from the back wall (the eye of a cyclone) toward downstage; over the stage are the railway arches in different colors. Stage right is a mini-Ferris wheel and stage left, the master of ceremonies, Karnak (Matt Koenig) tells a fortune in a giant popcorn shape kiosk. Over this kiosk is a small screen where the characters’ past (childhood) is projected as they tell their stories (Jack- Anthony Ina, Projection Designer).

Tesia Benson’s costumes give the performers the aura of private high school students. For the three girls, Benson used big V-neck jumpers over white shirts, and for the boys, white shirts, navy-blue vests, and gray school pants. Some teenage characters change their uniforms into flashy and glitzy costumes to illustrate their metaphysical transformation into their wannabes.

Music Director Matthew Webb leads his orchestra, which consists of a guitar, cello, bass, and keyboards. Coming from the back of the stage with the amplified pre-programmed electronic music, their sound was steady and clear, but it has lost the “live sound” quality.

This production is double cast with Maverick Cast and Raptor Cast. Karnak (Koenig), Constance Blackwood (Zoë Lewis-McLean), and Jane Doe (Alexa Lopez) appear in both teams. The evening I attended was the performance with Maverick Cast, which consists of Eileen Brady as Ocean O’Connell Rosenberg, Trevor Gill-Snow as Noel Gruber, Kyle MacDonald as Ricky Potts, and Zach Mackiewicz as Mischa Bachinski.

Alexa Lopez’s voice is impressive—perhaps exceeding the quality of Sarah Brightman’s. Her clear and powerful voice would not weaken even when she “rotates” on the Ferris wheel and jumps 10 feet high (harnessed). Lopez has perfected the role of this mechanical zombi doll, Jane Doe, who does not have any memories or stories to remember.

Eileen Brady, as a straight-A student and the choir leader, underscores the character’s domineering, insensitive, yet naïve and child-like personality. Trevor Gill-Snow, as Noel, could have illuminated the transformation into the character’s fantasy self as a drag queen. Zach Mackiewicz’s performance as a Ukrainian boy is superb, showing the character’s rage and passion.

Kyle MacDonald’s Ricky Potts demonstrates the character’s shyness, vulnerability on the one hand, and the joyfulness and sense of freedom as his “true” self. Zoë Lewis-McLean plays a hesitant, “nice” girl with enormous passions and emotions inside.

Baldwin Wallace Ride the Cyclone Music, Book, & Lyrics: Brooke Maxwell and Jacob Richmond Additional Materials by: Alan Schmuckler Directed by Victoria Bussert Musical Direction by Matthew Webb Choreography by Lauren Tidmore Photo by Roger Mastroianni

Lauren Tidmore Marousex’s (choreographer) movements and choreography are fast-paced, rhythmic, and vibrant, helping these young actors shine with their energy and commitment.

Matt Koenig’s Karnak completes the show, placing the fatal accident in the context of the playful but dark and ominous “Hades,” where the characters, for the last time, can look back at their past with understanding and appreciation.

Ride the Cyclone was first developed in Victoria, British Columbia in 2008. After several performances and then touring productions in Canada (2009-13), Cyclone was workshopped in Chicago to create a new version. The show’s American premiere was at Chicago Shakespeare in 2015, and its NYC premiere was at MCC Theater in NYC in 2016.

This musical can be categorized as a “Cult Show” with the deep humanity and realization that “our lives were short but mattered,” as emphasized at the end of the show.

https://www.beckcenter.org/shows/ride
February 9 – February 25, 2024
Recommended Ages 12 and up
Running time is 90 minutes

Music, Book & Lyrics: Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell
Originally Produced by Kevin McCollum and Morris Berchard
Additional Materials by: Alan Schmuckler
Directed by Victoria Bussert
Music Direction by Matthew Webb
Choreography by Lauren Tidmore Marousek
Regional Premiere

Maverick Cast: 2/8, 2/10, 2/15, 2/17, 2/21, 2/23, 2/25
Eileen Brady (Ocean O’Connell Rosenberg)
Zach Mackiewicz (Mischa Bachinski)
Trevor Gill-Snow (Noel Gruber)
Kyle MacDonald (Ricky Potts)

Raptor Cast: 2/9, 2/11, 2/14, 2/16, 2/18, 2/22, 2/24

Izzy Baker (Ocean O’Connell Rosenberg)
Elliot Block (Mischa Bachinski)
Benjamin Michael Hall (Noel Gruber)
Danny Bó (Ricky Potts)

Baldwin Wallace Ride the Cyclone Music, Book, & Lyrics: Brooke Maxwell and Jacob Richmond Additional Materials by: Alan Schmuckler Directed by Victoria Bussert Musical Direction by Matthew Webb Choreography by Lauren Tidmore Photo by Roger Mastroianni
Baldwin Wallace Ride the Cyclone Music, Book, & Lyrics: Brooke Maxwell and Jacob Richmond Additional Materials by: Alan Schmuckler Directed by Victoria Bussert Musical Direction by Matthew Webb Choreography by Lauren Tidmore Photo by Roger Mastroianni
Baldwin Wallace Ride the Cyclone Music, Book, & Lyrics: Brooke Maxwell and Jacob Richmond Additional Materials by: Alan Schmuckler Directed by Victoria Bussert Musical Direction by Matthew Webb Choreography by Lauren Tidmore Photo by Roger Mastroianni
Baldwin Wallace Ride the Cyclone Music, Book, & Lyrics: Brooke Maxwell and Jacob Richmond Additional Materials by: Alan Schmuckler Directed by Victoria Bussert Musical Direction by Matthew Webb Choreography by Lauren Tidmore Photo by Roger Mastroianni
Baldwin Wallace Ride the Cyclone Music, Book, & Lyrics: Brooke Maxwell and Jacob Richmond Additional Materials by: Alan Schmuckler Directed by Victoria Bussert Musical Direction by Matthew Webb Choreography by Lauren Tidmore Photo by Roger Mastroianni
Baldwin Wallace Ride the Cyclone Music, Book, & Lyrics: Brooke Maxwell and Jacob Richmond Additional Materials by: Alan Schmuckler Directed by Victoria Bussert Musical Direction by Matthew Webb Choreography by Lauren Tidmore Photo by Roger Mastroianni
Baldwin Wallace Ride the Cyclone Music, Book, & Lyrics: Brooke Maxwell and Jacob Richmond Additional Materials by: Alan Schmuckler Directed by Victoria Bussert Musical Direction by Matthew Webb Choreography by Lauren Tidmore Photo by Roger Mastroianni
Baldwin Wallace Ride the Cyclone Music, Book, & Lyrics: Brooke Maxwell and Jacob Richmond Additional Materials by: Alan Schmuckler Directed by Victoria Bussert Musical Direction by Matthew Webb Choreography by Lauren Tidmore Photo by Roger Mastroianni
Baldwin Wallace Ride the Cyclone Music, Book, & Lyrics: Brooke Maxwell and Jacob Richmond Additional Materials by: Alan Schmuckler Directed by Victoria Bussert Musical Direction by Matthew Webb Choreography by Lauren Tidmore Photo by Roger Mastroianni
Baldwin Wallace Ride the Cyclone Music, Book, & Lyrics: Brooke Maxwell and Jacob Richmond Additional Materials by: Alan Schmuckler Directed by Victoria Bussert Musical Direction by Matthew Webb Choreography by Lauren Tidmore Photo by Roger Mastroianni
Baldwin Wallace Ride the Cyclone Music, Book, & Lyrics: Brooke Maxwell and Jacob Richmond Additional Materials by: Alan Schmuckler Directed by Victoria Bussert Musical Direction by Matthew Webb Choreography by Lauren Tidmore Photo by Roger Mastroianni
Baldwin Wallace Ride the Cyclone Music, Book, & Lyrics: Brooke Maxwell and Jacob Richmond Additional Materials by: Alan Schmuckler Directed by Victoria Bussert Musical Direction by Matthew Webb Choreography by Lauren Tidmore Photo by Roger Mastroianni