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Ride the Cyclone
In a dilapidated warehouse at an abandoned amusement park, an aging mechanical fortune-teller called The Amazing Karnak comes to life, and brings with him a ghostly choir of five deceased high-schoolers - all members of the Saint Cassian Chamber Choir, who were tragically killed on the park’s Cyclone roller coaster. Now, Karnak has the power to return one of these youths to life - but they must all decide among themselves who is the most worthy of a second chance to “ride the cyclone” that is life.
78 pages, Unknown Binding
Published January 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 22, 2024
I’m going to rank all of the character songs in this musical because I don’t have much to say about the actual plot or anything.
6. Noel
One of the more forgettable songs. It starts off interesting but the novelty wears off fast as it goes on, and man does it go on long. Love the French new wave joke. They really gave Noel nothing to do in this musical.
5. Ricky
Was excited with the opening because I thought it was going all Bowie, but it watered down that aspect for the rest of the song, save the chorus. It has variation, but I think the idea is more just odd than funny. Ricky does have some of the best vocals in the show, though. I also don’t know what this song does for this guy at all.
4. Constance
Everyone jokes that Constance is forgettable (which goes with her whole character) and I got to say that she probably deserved the second chance the most. Her 5 minute monologue before her song was better than the song itself, which is fine on its own. I didn’t remember a single thing about it other than I enjoyed it. It seemed pretty nice. Justice for Constance.
3. Ocean
Now we’re getting to the good ones. This song is such a bop and the girl who plays her in the recording I saw (pretty sure it’s the definitive cast) has such a hate-able snark to her, which is great. Love the dancing and this is probably the funniest out of all the numbers. A great way to introduce how chaotic this musical is, but it is one of the safer songs that takes less risks.
2. Mischa
Some of the songs in Ride the Cyclone are too long, but I don’t mind it for this one. It keeps changing from slam poetry to hip-hop to operatic ballad to power ballad and the sheer audaciousness of the song makes it stick out to me. He’s also probably my favorite character in this. Surprisingly wholesome guy.
1. Jane Doe
What else would it be? From the dark tone, incredible vocals, and stage presence of the actress, there’s a reason this became the biggest song of Ride the Cyclone, and why Jane is everyone’s favorite character. I could listen to this on loop for hours, it’s so good.
6. Noel
One of the more forgettable songs. It starts off interesting but the novelty wears off fast as it goes on, and man does it go on long. Love the French new wave joke. They really gave Noel nothing to do in this musical.
5. Ricky
Was excited with the opening because I thought it was going all Bowie, but it watered down that aspect for the rest of the song, save the chorus. It has variation, but I think the idea is more just odd than funny. Ricky does have some of the best vocals in the show, though. I also don’t know what this song does for this guy at all.
4. Constance
Everyone jokes that Constance is forgettable (which goes with her whole character) and I got to say that she probably deserved the second chance the most. Her 5 minute monologue before her song was better than the song itself, which is fine on its own. I didn’t remember a single thing about it other than I enjoyed it. It seemed pretty nice. Justice for Constance.
3. Ocean
Now we’re getting to the good ones. This song is such a bop and the girl who plays her in the recording I saw (pretty sure it’s the definitive cast) has such a hate-able snark to her, which is great. Love the dancing and this is probably the funniest out of all the numbers. A great way to introduce how chaotic this musical is, but it is one of the safer songs that takes less risks.
2. Mischa
Some of the songs in Ride the Cyclone are too long, but I don’t mind it for this one. It keeps changing from slam poetry to hip-hop to operatic ballad to power ballad and the sheer audaciousness of the song makes it stick out to me. He’s also probably my favorite character in this. Surprisingly wholesome guy.
1. Jane Doe
What else would it be? From the dark tone, incredible vocals, and stage presence of the actress, there’s a reason this became the biggest song of Ride the Cyclone, and why Jane is everyone’s favorite character. I could listen to this on loop for hours, it’s so good.
April 20, 2023
I read this while listening to the album on Spotify. I truly cannot wait to see this in person 10/10
May 2, 2024
What am I supposed to rate a character-driven piece when I love how exactly half the characters are written and hate the other half?
The premise of Ride the Cyclone is bizarre and morbid, but its structure is simple and straightforward. In a sort of purgatory, six teenagers who died in a freak accident are given the opportunity to vote for one of them to be brought back to life. They take turns introducing themselves and making their case (through song of course because this is a musical) so by the end, the audience (or reader, or listener) is thoroughly familiar with each of them. With this type of story, it's nearly impossible to make each character equally appealing when they're all equally prominent, but for me, the gap between the good and bad was frustratingly wide.
Ocean Rosenberg is the self-righteous little miss perfect whose activism is a flimsy cover for her lack of basic empathy. Her role in the story is excellent satire.
Jane Doe, who lost her head in the accident, is delightfully creepy and captivatingly mysterious. A clip of her song going viral on tiktok singlehandedly lifted this musical out of obscurity.
Constance Blackwood, who in life was pigeonholed as "the nicest girl in town" leading to complicated emotions she bottled up until the very moment of the accident. She could be considered the heart of the story and her "Jawbreaker" monologue is easily my favorite part of the show.
Then there are the three male characters who lack any of the nuance their peers were written with and instead feel like they came from rejected SNL sketches. I don't like when a character is made flat to exclusively provide comic relief, but it's forgivable when it's only one (see my review of She Kills Monsters.) Here though, it's literally half the cast (not counting Karnak, the narrator) and it unfortunately undermines the poignancy of the work.
The premise of Ride the Cyclone is bizarre and morbid, but its structure is simple and straightforward. In a sort of purgatory, six teenagers who died in a freak accident are given the opportunity to vote for one of them to be brought back to life. They take turns introducing themselves and making their case (through song of course because this is a musical) so by the end, the audience (or reader, or listener) is thoroughly familiar with each of them. With this type of story, it's nearly impossible to make each character equally appealing when they're all equally prominent, but for me, the gap between the good and bad was frustratingly wide.
Ocean Rosenberg is the self-righteous little miss perfect whose activism is a flimsy cover for her lack of basic empathy. Her role in the story is excellent satire.
Jane Doe, who lost her head in the accident, is delightfully creepy and captivatingly mysterious. A clip of her song going viral on tiktok singlehandedly lifted this musical out of obscurity.
Constance Blackwood, who in life was pigeonholed as "the nicest girl in town" leading to complicated emotions she bottled up until the very moment of the accident. She could be considered the heart of the story and her "Jawbreaker" monologue is easily my favorite part of the show.
Then there are the three male characters who lack any of the nuance their peers were written with and instead feel like they came from rejected SNL sketches. I don't like when a character is made flat to exclusively provide comic relief, but it's forgivable when it's only one (see my review of She Kills Monsters.) Here though, it's literally half the cast (not counting Karnak, the narrator) and it unfortunately undermines the poignancy of the work.
September 8, 2025
daddy mischa
April 14, 2024
Loved the musical, just found out there was a novel version previous to the show! Dark, creepy, cool, and mysterious! Thank you so much to whoever made this masterpiece of a book!!! Edit: So happy Jane Doe got to have another life in the end, she sure as heck deserved it!!!
March 13, 2024
This is the most ridiculous thing I have read and watched by far, what the hell was that?? 😭😭😭😭😭
June 23, 2025
Reading this isn't enough. Listening to the songs isn't enough (especially the ballad of Jane doe), watching it isn't enough. I need this pumped into my blood. I need it as my heartbeat, I need it as my life. oh my gawd do I love Jane. Girly, I'll brush your Dolly's hair.
I might be a little too obsessed.
I might be a little too obsessed.
August 31, 2023
I have the 2019 off broadway script, hopefully im able to find the 2016 off broadway ver, thats the one i saw.
April 18, 2024
Loved it :)
July 9, 2024
I love this book! I've actually seen the musical and this is lovely.
December 14, 2024
what worl need
July 21, 2023
My friend had introduced me to the play, first. I went myself to find the script of it because I was so, immensely invested in the whole thing, as well as the characters. And I honestly, loved this very much, which I have my friend to thank for introducing me it.
July 22, 2024
The ending was super predictable but the journey and the songs were interesting, and it seems like a fun concept scenically and musically.
Would recommend?
Yeah
Would recommend?
Yeah
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews