Metropolis: Ride The Cyclone
The cast of Ride the Cyclone
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre Presents RIDE THE CYCLONE Review - Finding Our Way Back to Life
TLDR: Perfect for those looking for an on-theme show for October, Ride the Cyclone hits all the marks for a creepy Halloween-esque musical. Six teenagers died while riding The Cyclone roller coaster and through a singing competition, one has a chance to be resurrected.
Eldon Warner-Soriano, Alex Merkel, and Peyton Owen
Welcome One and All!
October is right around the corner so haunted houses and fright fests are gearing up for their time to shine. It's the perfect atmosphere to stage an afterworld musical at Metropolis. Entering the theatre, a large big top curtain stands center stage with fortune telling and prize booths standing off to the side. But it's not all bright and shiny with joyous laughter running through this carnival. The abandoned fairground (designed by Angela Webber Miller) is dark and desolate, with faded colors, rips and tears leaving everything in shambles.
Hanging above the stage are lightbulb letters proclaiming The Cyclone. Here at the abandoned carnival, six teenagers met their doom in an ill fated roller coaster accident. They meet their guide on the other side, The Amazing Karnak (played by Dave Honigman), who has been at this carnival for longer than anyone can remember. There’s a chance for them to return to the land of the living, however there’s just one catch - only one of them can be resurrected.
Now these choir kids must compete in a different singing competition. We’re taken through each of their arguments in their featured song for why they should be the one to return to life in Ride the Cyclone.
Eldon Warner-Soriano and fellow cast members
A Unique Cast of Characters
You might be thinking to yourself, a group of kids competing against each other for one grand prize? Sounds very similar to The Putnam County 25th Annual Spelling Bee. And that general premise is fairly accurate to describe the plot of Ride the Cyclone. While the stakes here are just a little bit different, Ride the Cyclone has a similar structure. We get to hear from all our contestants in their own unique songs while they also find out something about themselves along the way.
The high achiever, goody two shoes Ocean sings about how she’ll bring good to the world as a mover and a shaker if she’s the chosen one. Even though she’s the one who gets on everyone’s nerves, Alex Merkel does so in an endearing way so she’s a more comically annoying do-gooder.
Longing for a more aesthetically pleasing, dark romantic life, Peyton Owen as Noel is the only gay teenager in their hometown. He dons a negligee and heels and sings about all the tragedy he never experienced.
Beholden to toxic masculinity, Eric Amundson as Mischa bemoans his YouTube career and gives us an autotuned rap about being awesome and rolling in money. But when he allows himself to be vulnerable, we see his love for his Internet girlfriend runs deep.
Compelled to muteness after a traumatic childhood incident, Ricky played by Eldon Warner-Soriano finds his confidence when he's allowed to let his nerdy, sci-fi, fantasy imagination run wild.
And “nice girl” Constance has lived in everyone else's shadow and small-town complacency for so long she feels the need to break out and want more. Diana Marilyn Alvarez gives us the final performance of the night that lifts us from anxious to grateful in her rendition of “Sugar Cloud.”
Ah but that's only five, you might say. Joining this lively group of dead teenagers is a mysterious Jane Doe. She's dressed in the same school uniform, but no one came forward to identify her when she passed. Played by Amelia Tam, Jane is a thing of nightmares with scars all over her face, darkened eyes, and carrying a headless baby doll. However, when Tam takes the stage she gives a mournful operatic number about not knowing who she is either.
Each teen gets their chance to shine and though it's a competition, the others assist with back-up vocals and choreo, coming out with added props and costume pieces. With projections by Tony Chruchill, each number turns into a full fledged fun production.
The cast of Ride the Cyclone
The After Party Thoughts
Ride the Cyclone is tragic, spooky, and surprisingly heartfelt. For those that aren’t necessarily looking for a creepy show about teenagers coming back to life, then this might not be the one for you. But for those that are looking for a chance to see this production staged and those that like off the beaten path musicals with interesting characters, Ride the Cyclone would be a good fit for you!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Dave Honigman
When
Now through October 25, 2026
Where
Metropolis Performing Arts Center
111 W Campbell St.
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
Runtime: 90min, no intermission
Tickets
$25+
Tickets can be purchased by calling the box office at 847.577.2121 or through the Metropolis website
Photos
Jennifer Heim
Find Allie and The After Party featured on Theatre in Chicago
The cast of Ride the Cyclone
CAST
Alex Merkel (Ocean)
Eric Amundson (Mischa)
Eldon Warner-Soriano (Ricky)
Diana Marilyn Alvarez (Constance)
Dave Honigman (Karnak)
Amelia Tam (Jane Doe)
Peyton Owen (Noel)
Connar Brown Sprenger (Understudy Ocean)
Eli Blanks (Understudy Mischa)
Aidan Leake (Understudy Ricky)
Rylee Michelle (Understudy Constance)
Ian Rigg (Understudy Karnak)
Molly Bremmer (Understudy Jane Doe)
Kyle Widener (Understudy Noel)
Amelia Tam
CREATIVE
Jacob Richmond & Brooke Maxwell (Book, Music & Lyrics)
Lillian Castillo (Director)
Carolyn Brady (Music Director)
Mandy Modic (Choreographer)
Angela Webber Miller (Scenic Designer)
Denise Karczewski (Lighting Designer)
Sarah Ramos (Sound Designer)
Rachel Boylan (Costume Designer)
Miguel Ramos (Wig & Hair Designer)
Kelli Lawrence (Props Designer)
Amber Wutkee (Intimacy & Violence)
Tony Churchill (Projections Designer)