Brisbane review - Ride the Cyclone: quirky and hilarious

By David Wilson

Ride the Cyclone

Book, music and lyrics by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell

Director Rhona Bechaz

Choreographers Hannah Macri and Kirsten Brown

Musical Directors Maddy Simons and Alex Angus

Sound Designer Luke O’Hagan

Lighting Designer George Pitt

June 6 - 14 2025 at the Pavilion Theatre, Beenleigh Showgrounds, James Street, Beenleigh. Tickets start at $22.50 and are available at https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1364791

Vox Theatre Arts has teamed up with Phoenix After Dark to present this quirky, hilarious and meaningful musical.

Ride The Cyclone is a 2008 musical which tells the story of the members of the St Cassian High School chamber choir who die tragically in a roller coaster accident in the fictitious, exaggerated Uranium City, Saskatchewan. They find themselves in limbo, where each tells their story in song form to a mechanical fortune teller automaton, The Amazing Karnak, for the chance to return to life.

Through the lens of these unique characters, the audience considers life, death, grief, and what it means to be a “good” person.

The creative team at Vox Theatre Arts and Phoenix After Dark have done a great job with this genuinely funny musical. It is a fast paced, high energy piece, delivered brilliantly by an excellent cast, under the confident direction of Rhona Bechaz, with wonderful choreography by Hannah Macri and Kirsten Brown. A particular mention of the fabulous work done by Musical Directors Maddy Simons and Alex Angus - with musical genres spanning hip-hop, pop, jazz, Ukranian folk and more, the band was tight and their connection with the cast apparent through the excellent timing.

The simple stage was perfectly effective in this wonderful, intimate space. The small-town carnival feel was ever-present, with excellent sound, lighting and audio-visual effects adding to the atmosphere. Special mention also of the quality of the mechanical fortune teller The Amazing Karnak (voiced brilliantly by Dan Konstantinos) - it not only looked authentic, it was also pivotal to the whole show.

The entire cast was first rate with wonderful characterisation, vocals and high energy across the board.

Cameron Grimmett was excellent as Ocean O’Connell Rosenberg, perfectly capturing the brilliant go-getter/chronic over-achieving “Most Successful Girl in Town”. Her relationship with on stage BFF Constance Blackwood, the “Nicest Girl in Town”, performed wonderfully by Eloise Newman, was particularly well done.

Isaac Brown was fabulous as the “Most Romantic Bar in Town” Noel Gruber - the only gay boy in Uranium, longing for a life of glamour far beyond Saskatchewan. His full throttle performance of Noel’s Lament was a showstopper. Wonderful.

Dom Bradley was fanstastic as Mischa Bachinski, the Ukrainian adoptee “Angriest Boy in Town”. In a very nuanced performance, Bradley perfectly balanced the passion and rage required of the role. I particularly enjoyed the interaction between Bradley and Brown drinking vodka - “it is birthday”. Brilliant.

Jack Barrett was perfectly cast as Ricky Potts, the “Most Imaginative Boy in Town”. His Ziggy Stardust-like transformation was ‘out of this world’.

Makenzi Goodwin was absolutely outstanding as Jane Doe, the mysterious, emotionless, deeply eerie headless girl who appears in limbo. Everything about Goodwin’s performance was creepy in the best possible way - her characterisation was brilliant and her vocals sublime. Magnificent.

The cast and creatives at Vox Theatre Arts and Phoenix After Dark have delivered a most enjoyable, high quality production. Highly recommended!