RIDE THE CYCLONE
by Jacob Richmond
& Brooke Maxwell
Directed by: Nancy Bell
SYNOPSIS
In this hilarious and outlandish story, the lives of six teenagers from a Canadian chamber choir are cut short in a freak accident aboard a roller coaster. When they awake in limbo, a mechanical fortune teller invites each to tell a story to win a prize like no other — the chance to return to life. This popular musical is a funny, moving look at what makes a life well-lived!
Characters
The Amazing Karnak
Male - 35-50
non-singing role; the narrator; a mechanical fortune-telling machine.Ocean O’Connell Rosenberg
Female - 18-25
Vocal Range: A flat 3 - A5
The leader of the group, relentlessly competitive, sometimes cruel, though she sees herself as a virtuous person; high Broadway mix, with a pop quality; big range.
Misha Bachinski
Male - 18-25
Vocal Range: B flat 2 - A4
Adopted from the Ukraine as a teenager; he has thick Ukrainian dialect and a lot of rage; he is obsessed by Gansgsta Rap (an enormous fan of the auto-tune phenomena); there is a hidden, soulful romantic side; Baritenor with the ability to sing lyrical Ukrainian folk music as well rap.
Noel Gruber
Male - 18-25
Vocal Range: F sharp 2 - C4
the only gay kid in Uranium; never had a relationship; obsessed by French New Wave cinema, he has fantasies of dying a tragic death. Must be able to sing in the style of a French chanteuse.
Ricky Potts
Male - 18-25
Vocal Range: B flat 2 - B flat 4
Begins the play wordless and on crutches; suffers from a degenerative disease that has left him speechless and mostly immobile; he discovers at the beginning of the play that in this strange purgatory, he has regained all of these abilities. Baritone rock voice; basic accordion and/or tumbling a plus.
Constance Blackwood
Female - 18-25
Vocal Range: F sharp 3 - D5
Will do anything for Ocean's friendship and allows herself to be used as a doormat; dubbed "the nicest girl in town," a title she secretly despises. Very likable comic actress; alto belt, with a rock edge.
Jane Doe
Female - 18-25
Vocal Range: B3 - C6
She was decapitated in the accident and no one claimed her body; even though she isn't headless in the piece (but often carries around a headless doll). She reacts in a literal way and largely without emotion, almost robot-like; the other contestants are totally freaked out by her. Classically trained soprano with a flexible coloratura upper range, and some grit and meat in the lower register.