Sound Problems Make Ride the Cyclone a Bumpy Ride
This article was published in the Triangle Review on 10 June 2023.
The Stone Soup Theatre Co's June 8-25 production of Ride the Cyclone: The Musical is a 90-minute show, written by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell. It is the second installment in Richmond's "Uranium Teen Scream Trilogy," a trio of theatrical works set in Uranium City, an exaggeratedly small town in Canada whose economy is based on the uranium that is mined there.
In Ride the Cyclone, six teenagers from a Canadian chamber choir have their lives cut short in a freak roller-coaster accident, after which they find themselves in limbo, under the direction of a mechanical fortune teller.
Two members of the current Ride the Cyclone cast are Chapel Hill High School students (one is in ninth grade!). Another is a History major at UNC-Chapel Hill. And three of the remaining four cast members are local actors just beginning their acting careers.
As you experience Ride the Cyclone, it is important to remember Stone Soup Theatre Co's sincere dedication to its mission of (1) making the performing arts accessible to everyone in the Durham and Chapel Hill area and (2) paying local professional and semi-professional artists to do so.
The play opens on an ornate carnival set, masterfully designed and built by John Paul Middlesworth. For this show, the black-box Earl & Rhoda Wynn Theater at The ArtsCenter of Carrboro is dominated by a pink circus tent, surrounded by illuminated signs for rides and neon-lit food and game stands. At the far-right corner of the stage stands an old-fashioned fortune-telling machine -- the Amazing Karnak (played by Miles "Wyn" Purvis), whose mysterious starts and stops are expertly mechanical.
As we learn of their fatal tragedy, we are forewarned that the Canadian chamber group won second place in a vocal competition, where they were the only entrants, which makes their sometimes lack of harmony and cohesiveness seem intentional. The fortune teller explains that each of them will present the reasons that they deserve to live, after which only one will be chosen to return to life.
Though her nerves are apparent (last night was only the second performance), Livia McIntyre is comically dramatic in her portrayal of the overachieving, near-narcissistic Ocean O'Connell Rosenberg, who is described as quot;the most successful girl in town,quot; but is disliked by her fellow choir members. Livia clearly has a good voice -- both for singing and projecting -- though this will be more obvious when the musical accompaniment is dampened and higher quality sound production is worked out.
Likewise, I am sure Brady Bowman will settle into his role as Noel Gruber, "the most romantic boy in town." Bowman's performance of Noel's lament, as a prostitute in France in the 1930s, is delightfully spot on; and his singing voice made me want more.
Cosmo McCusker seems to have mastered an endearing Ukrainian accent, which the audience appreciates throughout the play. He delivers his comical lines with punctuality and aplomb that never fails to draw laughter.
Gabrielle Tessier appears to enjoy her somewhat raunchy solo as Ricky Potts as well, although it was hard to hear her lyrics. (I later found out her head-microphone battery died during the performance.)
And Lily Grey Beede appears comfortable in her soft-spoken and accommodating portrayal of Constance Blackwood, which is blown out of the water when she belts out her solo, "Meet Constance." Beede can clearly sing, but more acoustic adjustments are needed to show us just how well.
The highlight of the production is Kayla Petrille's expert portrayal of the doll-like Jane Doe, particularly her piercing, siren-like voice whenever she opens her mouth and especially when she sings. This is no surprise, as Petrille teaches voice lessons full time and has the most performing experience among the actors. Petrille's presence in this production is quite magical, not just in her performance, but in her positive connection and influence with less-experienced members of the cast. I hope to see her again in the future.
In its third production, Stone Soup Theater Co has once again demonstrated its commitment to community theater and provided Triangle residents with a low-cost night out that supports local citizens and initiatives. It is a privilege to be in the audience, surrounded by the collaborative creative force being generated by this worthwhile organization.
Be a part of that force by attending one of the remaining performances at The ArtsCenter of Carrboro on June 10, 11, and 23-25; and, if you feel remotely inclined, contact stonesouptheatreco@gmail.com to find out how you can help the program along its path.
Note: My daughter and I particularly liked that this play is 90 minutes without intermission -- a very doable chunk of time. It's worth getting there early, so that you can check out the giant Paperhand Puppet Intervention puppets currently displayed on the walls of this beautiful arts venue.
