Audiences will be thrilled with the musical and comic talents of eight actors who command the stage in the True Mirage Theater production of “Ride The Cyclone”, a one act musical written in 2008 by Canadian playwrights Brooke Maxwell and Jacob Richardson, running now through August 18th at Main Street Players in Miami Lakes.
Set in the fictional town of Uranium City, Saskatchewan, Canada, the story has six members of a teen musical choir who go on the “Cyclone” roller coaster and die within the first few minutes of the musical. The teens then find themselves trapped between our world and the unknown. They follow instructions from the robot-like Karnak (actor Carlos Alayeto) who gives the teens a list of changing options to deal with their future.
Karnak (actor Carlos Alayeto) guides the teens in the musical “Ride The Cyclone” running now running through August 18 at Main Street Players in Miami Lakes.
Ocean O”Connell Rosenberg (Olivia Polo) is the teen who is both called upon to speak to Karnak and pleads with him to send all the teens alive back to Earth. Ocean argues, pleas and even begs for the teens to return home. Karnak, without signifying how or why decisions are made, instructs the teens that they need to identify themselves and to express who they are and what they did while alive.
Ocean (actress Olivia Polo) sings in the musical “Ride The Cyclone” running now through August 18 at Main Street Players in Miami Lakes.
The musical impresses from the very beginning, showcasing the six characters skillfully dancing, singing, and recounting stories from their lives in a bid to return to Earth. Throughout this journey, the teenagers not only discover more about their own lives but also forge a strong bond with each other by revealing their past experiences not just to Karnak but also to one another.
Each of the characters tells stories in songs from many genres (romantic ballads, cabaret, folk, hip-hop, opera) that highlight their lives. For example, the audience learns the story of Noel (Nadya Lopez), the only gay teen in Uranium City. Noel has an obsession with French cinema and sings as his idol Monique, a cabaret singer, featuring high energy dance and song in “Noel’s Lament”.
Ricky (Paolo Benedict), who walked only with the use of crutches on earth, is now free of any disability and dreams of being an aggressive, handsome single in the song “Space Age Bachelor Man.”
Mischa (actor Raul Ramirez) sings in the musical “Ride The Cyclone” running now through August 18 at Main Street Players in Miami Lakes.
Mischa (Raul Ramirez) sings of his long lost love in the song “Talia” and “My Life Is Awesome”. On earth, before the cyclone accident, he was a teen but appears now as a middle-aged man.
Ocean pleads passionately for a positive fate for herself, her best friend Constance (actress Darcy Hernandez-Gil) and the other teens in the song “What The World Needs”.
Jane Doe (actress Fabiana Cueto) sings in the musical “Ride The Cyclone” running now through August 18 at Main Street Players in Miami Lakes.
Jane Doe (Fabiana Cueto) is the unknown teen, who was not seen on the roller coaster ride, but died as well. She sings in a high-operatic soprano voice about longing to know her true identity in “The Ballad Of Jane Doe”.
Constance speaks about her life as the quiet teen in “Sugar Cloud”.
The musical cast impressed not only with their solo performances but also with their dancing abilities and harmonious ensemble singing in the featured songs.
Constance (actress and choreograher / director Darcy Hernandez sings in the musical “Ride The Cyclone” running now through August 18 at Main Street Players in Miami Lakes.
The story comes to a climax with the decisions made by Karnak, Ocean and the other teens that lead to an unexpected finish. The story and songs are uplifting as the youthful, talented actors show much robust energy and enthusiasm in portraying their characters. Along with the eight actors, (actress Brenda Duran portrayed the non-speaking parts of Virgil/Talia/ Count Dogulous) choreographer/director Darcy Herandez-Gil and musical director Priscilla Blanco deserve much credit as do the many behind the curtain personnel that keep the action flowing and the stage alive over the 90 minute performance.
“Riding The Cyclone” is an impressive one act musical that, unfortunately, is running for only six performances. So, definitely get tickets to see this show while you still can.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
True Mirage Theater is producing the one act musical “Ride The Cyclone” now through Sunday, August 18 at the Main Street Players, 6812 Main Street in Miami Lakes. Show times are 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets range from $30-$40. For tickets and more information, go to truemiragetheater.com or call 786-484-4711.
