USI Theatre continues 2023-24 season with Ride the Cyclone

University of Southern Indiana Theatre continues its 2023-24 season with Ride the Cyclone. The book, music and lyrics are by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell, and the production is directed by Joshua Robinson, Professor of Musical Theatre in USI’s Philip H. Hagemann Performing Arts Department. Performances will run from Thursday, February 15 through Sunday, February 18 in the USI Performance Center.  

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 worthiest of a second chance to “ride the cyclone” that is life. 

Robinson will be joined by a design team including Paul Weimer, Associate Professor and Chair of Theatre, as Scenic Designer; Shan Jensen, Professor of Theatre, as Costume Designer; Andy Hammond, Theatre Technical Coordinator, as Technical Director; Joshua Stallings, Facilities Coordinator, as Sound Designer; Brandon Bagwell, Assistant Professor of Theatre, as Lighting Designer; as well as students, Grey Miller as Stage Manager, Brady Kolb as Assistant Costume Designer, and Rayn Miller as Assistant Director/Dance Captain. 

The cast of Ride the Cyclone features Michael Woywood as Karnak; Abby Scheller as Ocean O’Connell Rosenburg; Leo Rasche as Noel Gruber; Cooper Craig as Mischa Bachinski; Ethan Hoover as Ricky Potts; Morgan Stauter as Jane Doe; and Blair McKown as Constance; Jaden Crouch as Virgil; Via Ryan as Talia; and Rayn Miller as the Female Swing cast member.  

USI Theatre will be using reserved seating, and ticket buyers can choose their own seats when purchasing online on the USI Theatre website or by calling the box office at 812-465-7110. Tickets are $2 for USI students; $12 for USI employees and Alumni; $4 for non-USI students (student ID required); $12 for seniors (60+) and $15 for adults. Tickets are free to USI students with ID one hour before each performance begins based on availability. Shows begin at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. for the Saturday and Sunday matinee.   

Ride the Cyclone is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC (www.broadwaylicensing.com). 

Tickets are also now on sale for the rest of the 2023-24 season. Join USI Theatre for the last show of the season, The Wolves by Sarah DeLappe, running April 18-21. For more information on the remainder of the USI Theatre season, visit the USI Theatre website or call 812-465-7110. Follow USI Theatre on Facebook at USITheatre and Instagram at @USI_Theatre.