\ud83c\udfad NEW! Orlando Theatre Newsletter<\/p>\n
Ride the Cyclone is one of those cult musicals – shows that didn\u2019t have much financial success in their original runs but were later adopted by theatre kids everywhere, eventually gaining viral popularity via TikTok.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\ud83c\udfad NEW! Orlando Theatre Newsletter<\/p>\n
I often describe it as a cross between Cats and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Within the first five minutes, we learn that every character has died in a freak roller coaster accident and is now pleading their individual case to survive. The show is told in a vignette-style format, giving each member of the small cast a moment to shine as they share their stories and argue their worthiness to The Amazing Karnak, the mechanical fortune-teller who controls their fate.<\/p>\n
Theatre South has put a unique spin on this production by turning it into a pop-up musical. Whenever there\u2019s space in their schedule, they bring the show back with a rotating cast, making it accessible for performers with varying availability and giving audiences a fresh take each time.<\/p>\n
While I can\u2019t hum a single tune from the score\u2014earworm potential is often my personal litmus test for how much I connected with a show\u2014I still genuinely enjoyed this production. The cast leaned fully into each character\u2019s charm, idiosyncrasies, and occasional flaws, creating performances that felt distinct and committed. I remember one song involving a sugar cloud, another centered on Talia, and one that had something to do with alien cats (complete with light-up cat ears!).<\/p>\n
The performers were clearly very talented. The tight harmonies required of a small cast were handled well, and the physical demands of the show were impressive. Much of the movement mimics the sensation of being on a roller coaster, and one performer even had the added challenge of convincingly portraying a doll.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re a theatre lover\u2014or if you\u2019ve heard whispers of this fever-dream-like musical and are curious\u2014you should absolutely check out a production of Ride the Cyclone, especially at Theatre South. It\u2019s a quirky, high-energy experience that\u2019s well worth the ride.<\/p>\n
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Reader Reviews<\/p>\n
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