Performances begin November 9 for MCC Theater’s production of the new musical Ride the Cyclone. Billed as “part tragedy, part comedy,” it tells the story of a high school choir that boards a faulty roller coaster with tragic results.
Rachel Rockwell, who helmed the U.S. debut last year at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, returns to direct the New York premiere at the Lucille Lortel Theatre. The cast features original Chicago cast members Lillian Castillo, Karl Hamilton, Emily Rohm, and Kholby Wardell, joined by Peter Pan Live’s Taylor Louderman, Deaf West’s Spring Awakening star Alex Wyse, Gus Halper, The Last Ship’s Johnny Newcomb, and Peter and the Starcatcher’s Emily Walton.
An official opening night is set for December 1 for an engagement scheduled to continue through December 18.
Ride the Cyclone features a book, music, and lyrics by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell. “The Saint Cassian High School Chamber Choir will board the Cyclone roller coaster at 8:17 PM. At 8:19 the front axle will break, sending them to their tragic demise,“ read MCC production notes. “A mechanical fortune teller invites each to tell the story of a life interrupted - with the promise of a prize like no other. Ride the Cyclone is a wildly original new musical - part comedy, part tragedy, and wholly unexpected.“
Scroll through photos of the cast and creative team meeting the press below:
Ride the Cyclone features scenic design by Scott Davis, costume design by Theresa Ham, lighting by Greg Hofmann, sound by Garth Helm, and projections by Mike Tutaj. Musical supervision is by Doug Peck with musical direction by Remy Kurs.
For tickets and more information visit mcctheater.org.
