Photo Credit Cyndi Chaney Photography
Ride The Cyclone
Music, Lyrics and Book by Brook Maxwell and Jacob Richmond Co-Directed by Sarah Thomas and Taylor Clemons
Review by Regina Harris
Entire contents are copyright @2025 by Regina Harris. All rights reserved.
Ride the Cyclone opened to an enthusiastic crowd at Highview Arts Center Thursday night. This theatre cult classic has been a favorite of theatre folk since opening in America in 2015. It is the tale of six high schoolers trying to make sense of the afterlife when a field trip to an amusement park goes terribly wrong. It's not as much about the kids' lives before their early demise as it is about living fully in the time you are given. The story resonates deeply, and the visuals of this production are out of this world.
Décor from the front door to back of house is "Carnivalesque" - that whimsical but surreal, slightly eerie vibe reminiscent of an abandoned theme park from the turn of the last century. Outside, cloudy crystal balls evoking carnival sideshow fortune tellers flank the front doors as a "barker" invites you in. Total immersion then overtakes in a whirling riot of color, sight, and sound amid in bright red-and-gold wall hangings; sculpted balloon crowns atop folks' heads; and balloon swords clutched in the hands of grown-ups. For sale at the concession stand are puffs of cotton candy and those rainbow-colored swirly pops being enjoyed by the many adult patrons. But the real star is the set: a carnival marquee that dimly lights the dilapidated storage room of a once vibrant fairgrounds, alongside a faded fortune telling booth. The only thing missing was the smell of popcorn. Set designer Jill Marie Guelda truly outdid herself on this one. Neither Pinterest nor Al could have come up with anything spookier. Kudos!
Adding an ethereal element to the set was Daniel Riddlesmith's projection and sound design. Quirky animated and live action shots divulge the intricate inner lives of these kids, revealing layers of character complexity that were funny, surprising, and very touching.
Costumes, wigs, and make up deserve a special mention. Karnak the Fortune Teller was swathed in vibrant color, from sequined top hat to toes but their makeup was a work of art, thanks to the vision and steady hands of Grace Lillianne and Joy Beth DeWitt. As well, Dewitt's makeup as an uncanny doll-like character mesmerized. Costume designers Emily Vergason and Sarah Thomas cleverly clad each of the actors in a typical Catholic high-school uniforms that either covered their alter-ego garb or the quick changes were preternaturally fast. And then there are the wigs. Lots of wonderful wigs, thanks to Wig Master Brayden Glass (who also plays Ricky Potts.)
This visual feast was matched in the superb acting and beautiful vocals of the cast (which will rotate to give the swing actors a chance to play the roles as well). Jupiter Zorn channeled The Amazing Karnak from the glass box that encased them to perfection, stiffly spitting out futures and judgements with detachment. Karnak challenges each teen to share their story, knowing that only one will be granted the chance to return to life if their story is worthy. Each character divulges the social roles they had to adopt to survive, a la The Breakfast Club: Perky overachiever Ocean O'Connell Rosenberg (Emily Skirvin); her best frenemy, insecure Constance Blackwood (Mimi Housewright); socially alienated Noel Gruber (Luke Skorija); brash immigrant Mischa Bachinski (Daniel Harris); and space nerd Ricky Potts (Brayden Glass). Each actor imbued their characters with poignancy and depth.
No doubt understudies Savannah Weber, Grace Lillianne and Arianna Hart will do the same in future performances. A standout was Joy Beth Dewitt-Riley as Jane Doe - a kid no one, not even herself, remembers. Her unnaturally stilted animatronic movements never failed to unnerve. Under the musical direction of the always amazing Jeanne-Marie Rogers, Dewitt's angelic coloratura soprano filled the theatre. Clearly Rogers elicited the best from each of the vocalists.
Many creatives were involved in this production, and all lent valuable artistry. I was completely captivated by this feast for the eyes, ears, heart and soul. Miss it and you will miss something amazing. Don't let this moment pass you by.
Ride the Cyclone
May 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24 @7:30 pm May 18, 25 @ 2:30 pm
Highview Arts Center
7406 Fegenbush Ln. Louisville, KY 40228
(502) 783-6609
https://highviewartscenter.com
