MLT’s ‘Cyclone’ is a Wild Musical Ride

Regional premiere of 2008 musical is at McKeesport Little Theater

By Bonnijean Cooney Adams
The Tube City Almanac
September 14, 2024
Posted in: Entertainment

The entire cast of “Ride The Cyclone: The Musical” all appear onstage for the entire production. In front, Sarah Sidorchuck as Constance Blackwood and Sierra Mitchell as Ocean O'Connell Rosenberg. Center row, Caedon Vogel as Mischa Bachinski and Sam Savolskis as Noel Gruber. Back row, Matthew Mlynarski as The Amazing Karnak, Joe Kosha as Ricky Potts, Randi Walker as Jane Doe, and Jade Goodes as Talia, Virgil, and various other ensemble roles. (Photos by Bonnijean Cooney Adams for Tube City Almanac)

The death of six members of a private Canadian high school chamber choir in a roller coaster accident might not seem a likely subject matter for a musical – especially one with lots of comedic and sometimes raunchy moments, and a variety of song-and-dance numbers mixed in.

Brooke Maxwell and Jacob Richmond wrote the book, music, and lyrics for “Ride The Cyclone The Musical,” which opened Friday night and continues through Sept. 22, at McKeesport Little Theater.

First performed in 2008, it is a relative newcomer to the world of musicals, but its popularity has grown.

“I’m thrilled to have the regional premiere of ‘Ride The Cyclone’ happening at McKeesport Little Theater,” producer Jennifer R. Vertullo said. “It’s a rising cult classic that has the attention of our next generation of theater-goers.”

Joe Kosha as Ricky Potts is amazed at his heightened sensibilities in the afterlife. (Photos by Bonnijean Cooney Adams for Tube City Almanac)

As an example, she said, some McKeesport Area School District drama club members have mentioned “Ride The Cyclone” as their favorite musical.

For those not familiar with “Cyclone,” it takes place in a limbo-like atmosphere at the carnival where the performers, ages 17-18, rode the ill-fated Cyclone roller coaster while involved in a choral competition.

After their deaths, they are greeted by The Amazing Karnak, a mechanical fortune teller-like character portrayed by Matthew Mlynarski.

Seemingly imbued with supernatural powers, he brings them good news – and bad. He challenges each to present his or her case, through song and dance, to be able to come back to life.

The catch, which Karnak reveals a little later, is that only one person can be resurrected, and it must be by a unanimous vote. He divulges other conditions as the musical mystery continues.

Because they are stuck in limbo, the entire cast, including Karnak, appears onstage for the whole show, performed at MLT with no intermission.

Caedon Vogel as Mischa Bachinski, center front, makes his case for being considered as the person to return to his life before the fatal roller coaster accident. (Photos by Bonnijean Cooney Adams for Tube City Almanac)

Although new to some theater-goers, the MLT cast and production team spoke about their enthusiasm and familiarity with “Cyclone” prior to a recent rehearsal.

Whether newcomers to MLT or seasoned participants, all the actors said they got the role they wanted.

“Each time I met with them,” music director Sean Thornton said, “they were perfect for their roles.”

As the fortune teller, Mlynarski can be likened to the emcee, in what he describes as “a reality show competition.”

Mlynarski said each coaster casualty is featured in a different genre during the plea to be the winner.

Although he is in the background throughout their appeals, the audience should keep an eye on him as The Amazing Karnak experiences changes throughout “Cyclone.”

“They all get a chance to be center stage,” stage manager Liz Yarnot said.

Sierra Mitchell as Ocean O’Connell Rosenberg, center front, explains through song and dance why she, as “The Most Successful Girl in Town,” deserves to return to her perfect life. (Photos by Bonnijean Cooney Adams for Tube City Almanac)

Genres range from rap and hip-hop to contemporary, opera, ballet, cabaret styles and more, each as appropriate to the character’s backstory.

Part of the reason “Ride The Cyclone” has become so popular, according to several involved in the production, is the cast recording. Many who haven’t even seen the show are drawn to the music.

“Laughably I'm one of the 45-year-olds who was not familiar with ‘Ride The Cyclone’ at all,” director/choreographer Marty Savolskis said.

“To be honest, I attempted to listen through it when it was first released and couldn't get into it.  Now I find myself humming the songs all day long.  They're really catchy,” he added.

“Working on the production really made me fall in love with the show,” Savolskis said, “and I truly believe that all audiences should give it a try. The story is so full of heart.”

Sam Savolskis as Noel Gruber reveals his fantasies outside of his real world as a fast-food worker at a mall. (Photos by Bonnijean Cooney Adams for Tube City Almanac)

He described “Cyclone” as PG-13 in nature “for foul and sexual language.”  

Although he has years of experience in all aspects of theater and dance, Savolskis said this is his first experience at McKeesport Little Theater.

He said among other positions, he’s currently an adjunct professor of technical theatre and design at CCAC South Campus.

Sierra Mitchell, an MLT veteran who portrays Ocean O’Connell Rosenberg, was one of his students, and suggested Savolskis tackle “Cyclone” when he expressed interest in the season.

Mitchell said she pitched “Cyclone” to MLT board members involved in selecting each season’s shows, and told her former professor about it.

“When McKeesport Little Theater announced their season, I asked Sierra which show I should go for,” Savolskis said. “I had never worked for MLT but was interested in every show in this season. 

Randi Walker as Jane Doe struggles in the afterlife with no memories of her previous life after she was decapitated in the roller coaster accident.

“I've always wanted to get my hands on ‘Little Shop’ and ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ is such a great play, but Sierra said she would really love to see what I would do with ‘Cyclone,’ “ he said.

When asked if it was especially challenging to be wearing two hats as director and choreographer, Savolskis said the opposite is true.

“Actually wearing the two hats is my biggest strength,” he said.  “Of course I have no down time during the rehearsal process, but my artistic sentences never stop when I'm both.

“I grew up in my family's dance studio, Fran's School of Dance in Munhall,” Savolskis said. “From there I obtained my BFA and MFA in technical theatre and design.

“With that, I have had a career in the arts that I have always cherished combining my life in dance and my degrees in tech and design. I have also lived and worked in New York City.”

With opening night rapidly approaching, the actors commented on their roles.

Seemingly besties forever are Sarah Sidorchuck as Constance Blackwood and Sierra Mitchell as Ocean O'Connell Rosenberg.

Mitchell said she loves “Cyclone” so much that she was willing to take any role – even a male role. “I literally did not care,” she said. “I thought maybe I wanted to be Karnak. It’s the first time I’ve auditioned for a show without a specific role in mind.”

Cast as Ocean, Mitchell initially is quite full of herself. She is characterized as an overachiever with a superiority complex, the girl most likely to succeed, but who is not afraid to belittle others if it makes her look better.

Mitchell said she was challenged by the difficult vocals affiliated with her role and had to do a lot of training.

Still Ocean’s not all bad and has a soft spot for Sarah Sidorchuck as her bestie, Constance Blackwood.

As Sidorchuck appeals to be the one to return, her character unveils that she’s definitely not who everyone thinks she is, and a dark secret that occurred just hours before the accident.

“They all want to get away from their small town, but can’t until they die prematurely,” explained Caedon Vogel.

Vogel, as Mischa Bachinski, has come a long way from the Ukraine, where he was born and lived before he was adopted by a Canadian family, expecting a toddler based on the age listed on his birth certificate. But that was not the case.

He pines for his fiancée back in the Ukraine, but others call her “his imaginary girlfriend.”

Jade Goodes also is an MLT veteran. Her performance as Talia, possible fiancée to Bachinski, and Virgil, who has a special connection to Karnak, are essential to the storyline.
 
Randi Walker brings an operatic sound to her center stage appeal as Jane Doe.

“I lost my head in the accident,” Walker explained, and it was never found. In The Ballad of Jane Doe,” her featured song, she laments having “no soul, no name” and wonders who she is.

“There was just so much growth through this whole process,” she said of “Cyclone.” “It’s a coming-of-age story through death.”

Ricky Potts, portrayed by Joe Kosha, was born with an undisclosed condition that limited his speech and movement -- and a vivid imagination.

In “Space Age Bachelor Man,” he reveals he has created a fictional planet populated by cats, and he’s the hero who comes to their rescue.

Kosha, one of the newcomers to MLT, said his favorite part of the show is the last song, “It’s Just a Ride.”

Sam Savolskis is one of the MLT veterans and plays Noel Gruber, a gay teen who definitely feels out of place in their conservative small town.

In his center stage feature, the teen reveals his fantasy of one day becoming a sex worker  in France – Post-War France.
 
As Gruber he laments he was born in “the wrong time, wrong town, and wrong country.”
 
Marty Savolskis said he and Sam met in a dance class eight years ago, and Sam’s dance skills get a chance to shine through his character. He’s also designing the makeup for the show.

Assistant Director Katie Kerr said her biggest challenge is appealing to two different kinds of people in the audience.

“There are people who know it and others who have no idea, so I want to make sure both enjoy it,” she said.

 “I love having someone I can truly trust like Katie to step in to clean, fix, dig deeper or add a moment I may have missed,” the director said. “I feel like we're an amazing team. I'm sure our 20-plus-year friendship helps.”

Bonnijean Cooney Adams is a freelance contributor. She can be reached at adamsclick@aol.com.

Cast and Crew

Sierra Mitchell as Ocean O’Connell Rosenberg
Randi Walker as Jane Doe
Caedon Vogel as Mischa Bachinski
Sam Savolskis as Noel Gruber
Joe Kosha as Ricky Potts
Sarah Sidorchuck as Constance Blackwood
Matthew Mlynarski as The Amazing Karnak
Jade Goodes as Talia, Virgil, and other ensemble roles

Director/Choreographer, Marty Savolskis
Producer, Jennifer R. Vertullo
Assistant Director, Katie Kerr
Music Director, Sean Thornton
Stage Manager, Liz Yarnot

Originally published September 14, 2024.

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