University of Idaho presents darkly comedic musical ‘Ride the Cyclone’ starting Feb. 26

MOSCOW, Idaho — The University of Idaho Department of Theatre Arts presents “Ride the Cyclone,” a morbidly funny musical by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell. There will be seven shows, starting with a preview night at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, at the Forge Theater, 404 Sweet Ave., Moscow.

Additional performances include:

• 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27
• 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28
• 2 p.m. Sunday, March 1
• 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 6
• 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7
• 2 p.m. Sunday, March 8

In “Ride the Cyclone,” six Canadian teens from the Saint Cassian Chamber Choir meet their untimely end on a roller coaster — only to wake up in limbo, greeted by an aging mechanical fortune teller named The Amazing Karnak. In a dusty, forgotten amusement park warehouse, these ghostly teens are given one extraordinary chance: Tell their story, and one of them will be returned to life. But who deserves a second chance the most?

Set to a genre-defying score — from soaring ballads to sharp-edged rap — “Ride the Cyclone” is a wildly original one-act musical that explores what it means to live, love and leave your mark. With a quirky, diverse cast of unforgettable characters, this cult hit has captivated audiences with its blend of biting comedy, unexpected pathos and show-stopping musical numbers.

“‘Ride the Cyclone’ is about the strength of friendship and caring for one another, knowing that others may be facing a battle you cannot see,” said Kate Pemberton, the show’s director and a Theatre Arts master’s student. “Ultimately, it has a message of deep hope, which I think people really need right now.”

While the musical features a small cast of characters and an intimate staging in the Forge Theater, Pemberton said it is also a high-energy piece with non-stop singing and dancing.

“We're excited to offer our audiences a different kind of musical experience,” Theatre Arts Department Chair Robert Caisley said. “With ‘Ride the Cyclone,’ audiences are invited into something thrillingly unfamiliar, a musical that’s funny, unsettling, heartfelt and wildly alive. It’s the kind of experience where you don’t just watch the show — you buckle in and take the ride with us.”

Despite the story revolving around a tragic roller coaster accident, the ultimate message of the show is one of hope.

“Our world and our country are going through a lot right now, and it is so easy to look at the news and lose hope for the future,” said Rylan Love, the show’s assistant director and a Theatre Arts bachelor’s student. “I think it is important for anyone feeling lost, scared or uncertain to come and see this show. You are not alone. This show may help you cope, even just a little. You will leave with some questions about yourself but so many answers as well, illuminating the importance of getting up and trying because life becomes a gift when you live every day as if it were your last.”

Tickets are free for U of I students and $6 to $26 for the public. They are on sale now at uitickets.com. Multiple performances are sold out, so the department recommends reserving tickets early.

For information about other upcoming events from the Department of Theatre Arts, visit go.uidaho.edu/theatre-productions.

Media contact

Alisa Volz
Communication specialist
Department of Theatre Arts and Lionel Hampton School of Music
208-885-6465
avolz@uidaho.edu