Theater Review: 'Ride the Cyclone' at Sacred Heart University

Sacred Heart University Performing Arts Theatre Program is presenting “Ride The Cyclone.” This slightly spooky and quirky musical is the work of Brooke Maxwell and Jacob Richmond, who together wrote the book, music and lyrics. Executive Director of Performing Arts Jerry Goehring directed the musical at my alma mater.

Life is just a ride!

This piece is the second installment in Richmond's "Uranium Teen Scream Trilogy," a collection of three theatrical works, one not yet written, that take place in the exaggerated Uranium City. The premise of the musical is that five members of the St. Cassian High School chamber choir of Uranium City, Saskatchewan, have all perished on a faulty roller coaster called The Cyclone. The students are now being placed into a game of life and death and must tell a story to win the reward from a mechanical fortune teller: the chance to return to life.

“Ride The Cyclone” made its world premiere in Victoria, British Columbia in 2008. After establishing a big fan base, it moved from Canada to America and played Off-Broadway in 2016. The show became a cult classic and fan favorite.

Goehring, who has directed over 50 shows at SHU, worked hard to make all of the moving parts work at all times. He is a Tony-nominated producer whose Broadway credits include “A Christmas Story: The Musical’ and “Be More Chill.”

The director told me before the show that he had been unaware of this show until his students began to bring it to his attention. It was definitely a new show for me, and I will admit that I misconstrued some of the plot details, but I nonetheless enjoyed this strange musical. Goehring was assisted by students Nora Delehanty and Steph Patella.

The wonderful Leo Carusone, the director of theater at SHU, served as musical director and the small group of musicians who sat backstage under the direction of Tom Morris on keyboard, Allegra Pin on drums, Gene Pino on guitars and Jordan Jancz on both cello and bass. They sounded great.

SHU junior Brayden Wihbey choreographed the eclectic dance numbers. Lighting design by Nora Serrao contributed to the spooky tone and sound by Matthew Cordova worked well throughout in the small space of The Little Theatre (the former SHU chapel.)

SHU senior Sam Eaton (Dr. Scott in “The Rocky Horror Show”) plays the role of The Amazing Karna, a fortune telling machine inside of an amusement park stall.

SHU junior theater arts and media arts double major Juliana Balzano (Victoria in “A Christmas Carol” with John Ratzenberger and Bebe in “A Chorus Line”) is very strong in the role of contestant Ocean O’Connell Rosenberg, the A+ overachiever. (Balzano is pictured above.)

Sage Sperling (pictured above, at Quassy,) a sophomore majoring in English and theater, does very well as Rosenberg’s best friend, Constance Blackwood. ("Sugar Cloud") Sperling’s credits include Usherette in “The Rocky Horror Show,” and Sarah Good in “The Crucible.”

Chris Conte (pictured above,) who is now a senior at SHU, takes on the role of Noel Gruber, a gay boy who dreams of being a cold-hearted French prostitute. ("Noel's Lament") Conte’s SHU credits include Man 1 in “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Jeff in [title of show], and Mark in “A Chorus Line.”

Senior broadcast journalism major Brad Hutchinson plays the Ukrainian adoptee with a strong accent ("This Song is Awesome" and "Talia.”)

SHU junior Sean Ryan (John Proctor in “The Crucible” and Brad Majors in “The Rocky Horror Show”) is a delight in the role of Ricky Potts, mute because of trauma, who recovers his voice. ("Space Age Bachelor Man")

Kudos to SHU senior Colleen DeGennaro for tackling the role of Jane Doe and nailing it. DeGennaro played Elizabeth Proctor in “The Crucible” and Sheila in “A Chorus Line” at the university.

I thought that the costume design by Kayla Goncalves and Sierra Sailer would simply require private school uniforms, but there is so much more that requires many quick changes.

The props designed by David Irizarry were impressive, as was the hair and makeup design by Lauren Baroletti and Jenny Tilden, especially the head of Jane Doe. The projection design by Jordan Pita become an integral part of the performance, from the preshow image of a carnival ride projected on a torn curtain to the baby photos of the cast members that prove their “Catch Phrase,” and so much more. I enjoyed recognizing spots in Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury in the B-roll clips that were projected to the stage.

The Theatre Arts Program designed probably the best set I have ever seen on this tiny stage. I heard a rumor that Quassy lent the students some of the set decorations.

“Ride the Cyclone,” which is probably not appropriate for young children, continues in The Little Theatre on the SHU campus through Nov. 5. It is presented without an intermission and runs about 90 minutes. For tickets and information, call the box office at 203-371-7908 or visit edgertoncenter.org.

Nancy Sasso Janis is a proud graduate of Sacred Heart University ‘81 MAT ‘89