MOSCOW, ID — The University of Idaho Department of Theatre Arts will present the darkly comedic musical Ride the Cyclone beginning Thursday, Feb. 26, at the Forge Theater in Moscow.
The one-act musical by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell opens with a 7:30 p.m. preview performance Feb. 26 at the Forge Theater, 404 Sweet Ave. Additional performances are scheduled for:
- 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27
- 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28
- 2 p.m. Sunday, March 1
- 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 6
- 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7
- 2 p.m. Sunday, March 8
According to the university, the story follows six Canadian teens from the Saint Cassian Chamber Choir who die in a roller coaster accident and awaken in limbo. There, they are greeted by a mechanical fortune teller, The Amazing Karnak, and given the opportunity to tell their stories in hopes that one of them will be returned to life .
Set to a genre-spanning score that includes ballads and rap, the production blends humor and heavier themes while exploring friendship, identity and the meaning of a life well lived.
Director Kate Pemberton, a Theatre Arts master’s student, said in a news release the musical carries a message of hope and emphasizes caring for others. Assistant director Rylan Love, a Theatre Arts bachelor’s student, said the show may resonate with audience members who feel uncertain or overwhelmed by current events .
The intimate staging in the Forge Theater features a small cast with high-energy singing and dancing, department officials said .
Tickets are free for University of Idaho students and range from $6 to $26 for the public. Organizers note that several performances are already sold out and encourage early reservations. Tickets are available at uitickets.com .
For more information about upcoming productions, visit go.uidaho.edu/theatre-productions .
