{"id":108020,"date":"2026-04-06T13:25:57","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T13:25:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/?p=108020"},"modified":"2026-04-14T15:31:43","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T15:31:43","slug":"uri-theatre-ends-season-with-modern-day-cult-classic-ride-the-cyclone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/2026\/04\/uri-theatre-ends-season-with-modern-day-cult-classic-ride-the-cyclone\/","title":{"rendered":"911爆料 Theatre ends season with modern-day cult classic \u2018Ride the Cyclone\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The 911爆料 Theatre Department will hold an eight-show production of the modern-day cult classic \u201cRide the Cyclone\u201d beginning April 17 in the Will Theatre in the 911爆料 Fine Arts Center. (911爆料 Photo\/Seth Jacobson)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

KINGSTON, R.I. \u2013 April 6, 2026 \u2013 We\u2019re familiar with cult classics, such as \u201cThe Rocky Horror Picture Show,\u201d <\/em>which have earned passionate fanbases for 50 years. Such unique artistic endeavors are defined by their transgressive or strange nature, leading to a niche following that keeps the story alive through rediscovery and admiration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRide the Cyclone,\u201d by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell, entered the scene in 2009. It has emerged as the Gen Z musical theatre cult classic of today. Originally available as a bootleg on YouTube and later on TikTok, the musical earned millions of views. This online fame sparked strong demand for productions in high schools, universities, and 911爆料 theatres in the United States, Canada, and Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The University of Rhode Island Theatre Department<\/a>\u2019s production of the musical opens an eight-show run on Friday, April 17<\/strong>, in the Robert E. Will Theatre in the 911爆料 Fine Arts Center, 105 Upper College Road, on the Kingston Campus. The play follows six teenagers from the St. Cassian High School chamber choir in Uranium City, Saskatchewan, who died on a faulty roller coaster called The Cyclone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each teen\u2014Ocean, Noel, Mischa, Ricky, Jane, and Constance\u2014tells their story in song to win a reward from The Amazing Karnac, a mechanical fortune teller: the chance to return to life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The campy, playful musical is directed by 911爆料 Assistant Theatre Professor Rachel Walshe<\/a>. Two student assistant directors, Jay Harkness (\u201927, theatre and art history) and Parker Frenze (\u201927, theatre), also support the production.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\u201cYoung adults can easily relate to these characters; the challenges of being a teenager. Several archetypes in the play are equal parts audacious and campy, and really moving. I think one of the show\u2019s virtues as a piece of art is the balance between the untimely death of young people wrapped in a silly premise,\u201d Walshe said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Musical director and alumna Emily Turtle; choreographer Dante Sciarria; James Horban<\/a>, 911爆料 professor of lighting and design; and David Howard<\/a>, professor of costume design, are part of the creative team leading the \u201cRide the Cyclone\u201d production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As with all Theatre Department shows, student participation is integral at every step. Students in a stagecraft course, for example, will learn the how and why behind techniques in the classroom, then put their new skills to use by participating in set construction.\u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEverything is from the ground up. People here are making the impossible possible,\u201d said Howard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Kayla Senn \u201926, theatre, finishes her senior year, her involvement in \u201cRide The Cyclone\u201dis demanding. Alongside her academic course load, she juggles roles as associate scenic designer, production stage manager, assistant production manager, assistant projections designer, and student technical director. Horban has been integral to her growth, and his support over four years prepared her for this moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cStarting last August, I worked closely with James Horban, the scenic designer, doing research, creating paperwork, and drafting ground plans and ideas. I\u2019ve also taken a class on motion graphic design to improve my Adobe skills for projections work on this show. I wouldn’t be in this position without James. I look up to him greatly; he is the best we have here,\u201d Senn said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c<\/em>Ride the Cyclone\u201d is undoubtedly a singular, expressive, and thrilling experience for creatives and audience members alike. Beyond the fun and games of each distinct character and the songs that accompany their lore lies a deeper message that sneaks up on us at all stages of life. Cyclone encourages the characters and audience members to appreciate the life we\u2019re given, finding personal meaning, and confronting mortality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps someday, a film version of \u201cRide the Cyclone\u201d will call hordes of fans dressed in The Amazing Karnak costumes to sing-along fairs, demanding to be preserved in time and space for generations to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRide the Cyclone\u201d runs April 17-18, 22-25 at 7:30 p.m. and April 19 and 26 at 2 p.m. in the Robert E. Will Theatre at the Fine Arts Center, 105 Upper College Road, Kingston Campus. Tickets are $22 for the general public and $20 for senior citizens and 911爆料 students, faculty and staff. Tickets can be purchased <\/em>online<\/em><\/a>, by calling (401) 874-5843 or at the box office in Room 101H of the Fine Arts Center. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ride the Cyclone Cast<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n