Theater Review: 'Ride the Cyclone' at TheatreWorks New Milford

By Connecticut Critics Circle member and Patch Contributor Nancy Sasso Janis

TheatreWorks ACT OUT Young Adult Program performed the musical “Ride the Cyclone” last weekend on the stage of TheatreWorks New Milford. The performance was presented without an intermission and ran 90 minutes.

“Ride the Cyclone” is a musical that is popular with young adults with book, music and lyrics by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell. It is a surprisingly funny, if outlandish story about six teens from a Canadian chamber choir who perish in a freak roller coaster accident.

When the group awakes in Limbo, a mechanical fortune teller invites each of them to tell a story for a chance to win a chance to return to their life. At times quirky, at times moving, this is a look at “what makes a life well-lived.” This show is not recommended for children under 13 due to adult content.

Every member of the cast fully embraced their unusual characters and sang well. This program gave the young adults the opportunity to be part of a show that is suited to their ages.

Lori Larson of New Milford directed the cast made of talented teen-aged performers. Noah Milot of New Milford took on the role of the fortune teller, The Amazing Karnak, who serves as the show’s narrator.

Richard Gregory of New Milford portrayed Noel Gruber, the only gay boy in his small town. His story reveals that he dreams of being a French prostitute.

Jack Maloney, also from New Milford, tackled the demanding role of Jane Doe, the only member of the choir who is unidentified. Doe must be performed as a marionette puppet and Maloney perfected every more, all while singing in a wonderful soprano.

New Milford’s Joshua Violette played the role of Ricky Potts, a socially-awkward mute boy who sings "Space Age Bachelor Man."

Addison Hernandez, another New Milford resident played the good girl, Ocean O’Connell Rosenberg, a perfectionist over-achiever ("What the World Needs.") New Milford resident Mia Marchena played the role of Constance Blackwood, Ocean’s best friend and sidekick.

Michael Oppermann had to adopt a Ukrainian accent to play the role of the rapper Mischa Bachinski, a Ukrainian adoptee. Sophia Oppermann made up the ensemble of one, covering the role of Virgil the rat.

The musical director was Kevin McNulty of Brookfield and the show was produced by Gale Alexander of New Milford. The set conjured up a fading amusement park located in Uranium City, with a section of coaster track suspended above the stage. There were vintage movie projections that helped to tell the stories. While the main costumes were basic private school uniforms, various specialty costumes were also required to tell some of the stories.

TheatreWorks is a safe space for young people to learn and express themselves artistically.
ACT OUT is a new program that was created in 2024 by Lori Larson and Kevin McNulty primarily to serve as a bridge for the younger TW Kids performing in Jr. or School versions to working in a Full Mainstage Production in a community theatre environment.