More Theater Monday - Ride the Cyclone

We were given complimentary tickets to Ride the Cyclone for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

What: Ride the Cyclone

Where: McCarter Theater

             91 University Place

             Princeton, NJ

Who: Recommended for Ages 13 and Up

When: Through May 29, 2022

Ride the Cyclone is a dark musical about a group of choir kids who are killed in a roller coaster accident. One of them will be given a second chance at life, but they have to agree unanimously on who will be chosen so they compete for the chance by singing songs that reveal their characters. Although the characters are a bit cliched there is the tough guy, the popular girl, the popular girl's best friend, the nerd, and the closeted gay kid, there are things about them that make them unique, and the actors do a good job of portraying these characters.

The most unique character in the musical is a mysterious girl named Jane Doe whom none of the other kids seem to know or remember even though she allegedly went to the same school as them and was in the same choir as them. Ashlyn Maddox plays the role, and her performance is particularly noteworthy. She simultaneously manages to invoke both an overwhelming sense of creepiness that makes you want to stay away from the character and a sad vulnerability that makes you want to take her in and care for her as if she were a scared and lonely stray puppy. 

Different characters are represented by different song styles. Song styles represented in the show include hip hop,  torch song,  pop, and more. The songs work well in the context of the musical  and the characters but they are not particularly memorable except for one catchy pop number What the World Needs which is sung by the character of Ocean. That song is particularly upbeat and catchy, and there's a good chance you won't be able to get it out of your head.

This is obviously not a good show for young children due to the subject matter, but if you are looking for a unique musical, you may enjoy it.

And that's our view.  For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.mccarter.org/season/2021-2022/PDP/Ride-the-Cyclone-The-Musical

Tune in tomorrow for Tips for Tuesday.

Photo credits:

All Ride the Cyclone production photos by Charlie T. Erickson