Stage Notes: Director Garret Storms talks up the thrills of Stage West's 'Ride the Cyclone'

As the show speeds toward its closing this weekend, Stage West’s musical Ride the Cyclone has marked a triumphant moment for the Fort Worth company. With a sold out run, SW had to add in some performances to the run, including this weekend’s Nov. 2 evening show. A haunted story about a rollercoaster accident is a perfect way to wrap up this month — if you can get a ticket. Ahead of its closing weekend, director Garret Storms talked about the process of bringing this show to life.

Ride the Cyclone gained a cult status via TikTok in the early 2020s. The Canadian musial however premiered in Victoria, British Columbia in 2008. This month, the show made its regional premiere at Stage West in a co-production with Theatre TCU and also kicked off the former’s new season.

“The story is bizarre, wondrous and perfect entertainment for the spooky season,” Storms said about the show.

The premise centers on the lives of the St. Cassian High School chamber choir involved in a freak rollercoaster accident. Now dead and trapped in a carnival limbo, they are greeted by a mechanical fortune telling machine who proposes a game. The prize? One lucky winner can return to life.

“It sounds strange, and it is, but it’s also surprisingly relatable and touching while offering all of the creepy, fun carnival spectacle you’re hoping for,” Storms said.

In putting the show together, Storms’ cast was mostly made up by Theatre TCU. In beginning to craft the premise, Storms described it as a wild and fun ride for entire team.

“The twisted and thrilling premise is actually very helpful in putting the show together. In many ways, the show is structured like a roller coaster with twists and turns and laughter and fear and marvel,” Storms said. “And the songs (a collection of absolute bangers, executed by our astonishing band of musicians) are all sorts of different genres and vibes, so you never know where it’s taking you next. We really leaned into all of those feelings of the strange, funny, shocking, touching, fantastical.”

Does the show simulate an actual rollercoaster ride? Storms said it’s all in the show and in the creative team’s talents on how that’s played out. But the show’s designers were all in on creating a distinct look and vibe.

“Our choreography team keeps the show moving in unpredictable ways with a kaleidoscope of various genres and styles of dance,” he said. “The incredible scenic designer provided an eerie playground for our amazing lighting and sound designers to have a ball.”

He added, “There are also pieces of a roller coaster on stage, hovering over the audience featured in a sequence that harkens back to the accident which sets the plot in motion.
So yes, plenty of special effects and spectacle to feast upon.”

Choreography is led by Gabriela Ayala Yarbrough. Giving the show its carnival atmosphere is set Designer Ian Loveall, Lighting Designer Leann Burns and Sound Designer Jason Jordan.

And if it already isn’t creepy enough with their contributions, thank Ellie Griffin for that.

“We have a variety of puppets that make appearances to flesh out the playfully sinister vibes,” Storms said. Griffin designed the puppets for this show. “Plus, our costume designer [Henry Cawood] has pulled out all of the stops with gasmask-clad rats, a gilded mechanical fortune teller, and (in tandem with our hair and make-up team [led by Krystabelle Banda]) a mysterious girl who wears a doll’s head as her own.”

All the elements sound in place for a scary good time, but Storms also said that shouldn’t keep people away.

“While it’s not boo-jump-scare scary, it is sinister in a fun and intriguing way and it will scratch that nostalgic itch that starts around this time of year,” he said. “It’s also surprisingly heartfelt, hilarious and alive — despite the characters all being dead. We packed our very own amusement park onto the Stage West stage and we worked hard to fill the show with suspense, wonder and surprise. If you’re craving a new kind of thrill, then step right up – Ride the Cyclone is just your ticket.”

The scariest thing Storms could’ve said…

“This is also a great show for people who don’t like musicals.”

The show runs through Sunday. For tickets, visit StageWest.org.

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