Good news for several (though not all) of the actors who starred in the terrific U.S. premiere of the musical “Ride the Cyclone,” which was staged at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater last year, and is set to open in New York in an MCC Theater production at Off Broadway’s Lucille Lortel Theatre. (Previews will begin Nov. 9, with an opening night set for Dec. 1.)
The show, with book, music and lyrics by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell, will again be directed by Rachel Rockwell, with original Chicago cast members Lillian Castillo, Karl Hamilton (currently starring in the Goodman Theatre production of “Wonderful Town”), Emily Rohm and Kholby Wardell (who also was in the original Canadian production) set to reprise their roles. They will be joined by Taylor Louderman, Alex Wyse, Gus Halper, Johnny Newcomb, and Emily Walton.
The musical tells the eerie tale of the young members of the Saint Cassian High School Chamber Choir who board the Cyclone, a theme park roller coaster whose front axle will break and send them to their tragic demise. A mechanical fortune teller invites each to tell the story of a life interrupted – with the promise of a prize like no other.
Also taking the “Ride” from the Chicago production will be the sets by Scott Davis, costumes by Theresa Ham, lighting by Greg Hofmann, and projections by Mike Tutaj, with musical supervision by Doug Peck, along with a new musical director, Remy Kurs.
