Photo Taken By Cecelia Lipman
Willamette University recently put on a production of the award winning musical, “Ride The Cyclone.” Written by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell, “Ride The Cyclone” tells the story of six high school students in their school choir from Uranium City, Saskatchewan, who tragically died in a roller coaster accident. Through a competition narrated by Karnak the fortune teller, the six teenagers must decide through song which one of them is worthy of bringing back to life. Willamette University’s production debuted on October 31st and ran through November 16th.
The Performance
The WU theater department was also to host a free student night on November 10th and 12th, for all students in the Salem-Keizer school district. They also hosted a talk back for the students to ask the cast and crew questions about the production.
The cast of this show did a fantastic job displaying the satirical themes of the show, while also portraying the more gloomy, emotional material tastefully. The set, live band, costumes, lighting and artistic choices all did the original justice, while adding a creative twist. A prominent artistic choice that was memorable was the decision to add pictures projected on the back curtain to portray the characters flashbacks after their death.
Uniquely, the show only features seven total characters With such a small cast, it can be hard to stay upbeat throughout the duration of the musical, but this group did a great job keeping the vitality. Each cast member put their own spin on their character, while also doing the original cast justice.
Musical Ability
Notably, Kiele Jarnagin who played Ocean O’Connell Rosenberg, an eccentric straight-A student and head of the choir, perfectly embodied the vibrant facial expressions of the character during her song, “What The World Needs”. Another outstanding performer was Nick Zimmerman, who played Mischa Bachinsky, a Ukrainian bad boy and rapper. Mishca is arguably the hardest character to play, due to his back to back songs, “This Song is Awesome” and “Talia,” the latter mostly sung in Ukrainian.
Tabi Momeyer and Lily Walsh, who play Constance Blackwood, a quirky right hand man to Ocean, and Jane Doe, the mystery member of the choir who was beheaded in the accident also have very difficult songs, “Jawbreaker,” “Sugar Cloud” and “The Ballad of Jane Doe.” Both roles require powerful voices and breath control.
Similarly, Otis Perrone and Brayden Fanthorp who play Noel Gruber, a tragically romantic personality, and Ricky Potts, who was mute up until the accident, have very difficult songs. Both songs, “Noel’s Lament” and “Space Age Bachelor Man” are over five minutes, and require multiple quick changes, high notes and lots of movement.
Overall, the cast, live band, crew and stage techs did a great job on this iconic musical. Willamette University’s 2025-2026 season will continue with “The Glass Door,” “Fete de Femmes” and “Room of Forgotten Souls.”
