That was the take-away message for this modern musical!
"Ride The Cyclone" was the third 21st century musical that I've seen in less than a week and I must say that it was certainly the most ribald!
This was written in 2008, two years after "The Story Of My Life" and "Hadestown" were first performed.
Like those, it included a bit of profanity, but this one stepped it up a few notches, something which no doubt was a mark of reality for the college students in Jenkins Hall.
I loved it!!!
I also loved that it had two of the "Last Laugh" improv performers.
Dylan O'Brien, his wheelchair hidden in the booth, was 'Karnak', the mechanical fortune-teller fated to die when a rat chews through its power cord at the story's end.
I'd rather have Zoltar predicting my future, thanks!
You see, 'Karnak' predicted the day and manner of one's death, but the fair personnel had dumbed it down to "fun mode".
Thus, it was unable to warn the Canadian choral group to not get on that fatal ride.
Liana Kougba, another of the improv folks, was the sweet 'Constance', and her song was about having sex with a carnie because she didn't want to be a virgin anymore.
I wonder if it had been the same carnie that operated The Cyclone?
Ah, an unanswered question!
Here's one I can answer, though: why did she sing about that?
'Karnak' tasked the five chorists with singing about their innermost self, with the one who won the contest having a chance at being alive again.
What hilarious results those were!
'Constance' sang of losing her virginity on this away trip, 'Ricky' (the silent tambourine man) let loose about being a ladies man, 'Noel' the gay romantic wanted to be like Marlene Dietrich in "The Blue Angel", 'Ocean' spouted of her superiority over all others, and 'Mischa' starts with Ukrainian rap that morphs into a love ballad.
Then there's 'Jane Doe', dressed in the same school uniform as the others, but headless, and with the most beautiful voice of them all.
As I told JoJo Ward afterward, I wished I could see it all again!
He directed and choreographed this show by the Masquers.
Bravo!!!
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