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Individual tickets on sale 4/3/25
"Ride the Cyclone" contains mature themes and content, including discussions of death, suicide, drugs, and sex, as well as some strong language. Parental Guidance recommended for ages 13 and up. This production contains the following: auditory and visual effects, loud sounds, flashing lights, fog, and haze.
In this hilarious and outlandish story, the lives of six teenagers from a Canadian chamber choir are cut short in a freak accident aboard a roller coaster.
When they awake in limbo, a mechanical fortune teller invites each to tell a story to win a prize like no other — the chance to return to life. This popular musical is a funny, moving look at what makes a life well-lived.The show has also become a cultural phenomenon, with millions of videos created across TikTok and Instagram. With this regional premiere, Ride The Cyclone is a 90-minute thrill ride you won’t soon forget.
American Sign Language interpreted performance on Thursday, June 5. ASL performances generously sponsored by Barbara Rider and Fred Sammons.
"This delightfully weird and just plain delightful show will provide the kind of thrills we look for in all musical comedies…just plain fun from start to finish.” – The New York Times
RIDE THE CYCLONE is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing Global. www.broadwaylicensing.com
Credits
Music, Book, and Lyrics by Brooke Maxwell and Jacob Richmond
Directed and choreographed by Leonard E. Sullivan
* indicates a member of AEA
** indicates a member of SDC
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Emery can not ride roller coasters because she gets vertigo and has since she was young. Emery has not been to limbo yet, but she’s excited for that experience someday. She’s back in Kalamazoo after touring here as Penny in "Hairspray" at the Miller Auditorium in 2022 alongside Niki and Faith! She is honored to share the stage with them again. All her love and thanks go to Leonard, Ma, Dad, Nina, Elliot, Mike, and Eli.
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Braeden, a musical theatre major at the University of Michigan is making his Farmers Alley Debut in "Ride the Cyclone"! His most recent work includes roles such as Phoebus in "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" at the University of Michigan, Curly in "Oklahoma!" at Loy Norrix High School, and his reprise of Curly at the 2024 Jimmy Awards in New York City. He would like to thank his parents, Julie and Asa, his two brothers, Reed and Ozzie, his best friend Grace, and his three dogs, Hobbes, Elwood, and Puppy Love for their constant support.
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Jason is an actor from Kalamazoo, Michigan and is thrilled to be back home at Farmers Alley Theatre! This year, he graduated from the University of Michigan with a BFA in Musical Theatre and a minor in Music Composition. You might have seen Jason before as Mark in "RENT" and Billy Cane in "Bright Star"! Other credits include Frederick Barrett in "Titanic" and Mr. Lindquist in "A Little Night Music" at the University of Michigan. Jason is a Jimmy Award Nominee (2021), and is the proud recipient of the 2020 Irving S. Gilmore Student Art Scholarship.
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Alex is enthused to be making his Kalamazoo debut! In May, he graduated from Webster University with a BFA in Musical Theatre. Recent credits include Prince Topher in "Cinderella" (Webster University), Ricky Potts in "Ride the Cyclone" (Webster University), and Ferdinand/Alonso in "The Tempest" (St. Louis Shakespeare Festival). Later this summer, you can catch him in the ensemble of "Dear Evan Hansen" at The Muny in St. Louis! In his spare time, Alex loves to watch movies, cook, and bake bread. He would like to thank his family, friends, and professors at Webster!
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Faith is excited to be making her Farmers Alley debut! National Tours: "Mamma Mia", "Hairspray". Select regional: "A Chorus Line" (Maggie), "Grease" (Jan), and "Freaky Friday" (Gretchen). Originally from Wichita, KS, Faith is a graduate of Florida State University (GO NOLES!) and is a client of FSE Talent. Many thanks to Leonard and the whole "Ride the Cyclone" team! IG: @faithnorthcutt
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Niki is thrilled to be making her Farmers Alley debut! National Tours: "Hairspray" (Tracy Turnblad), "The Little Engine That Could"... (Little Red) Regional: ..."Spelling Bee" (Olive), TV: "And Just Like That". Many thanks to Clear Talent Group, Leonard, and the team here at Farmers Alley. Love to Mom, Alexis and Mammie, always!
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Steve is blessed to be returning to Farmers Alley Theatre as the all knowing, fortune telling, Amazing Karnak. As we gaze into the crystal ball, we predict that you have seen him before, in a show right here in the Kalamazoo area. Some of his most recent credits are: Hank/Joe Long - "Jersey Boys", Theo - "School of Rock the Musical", Professor Harold Hill - "The Music Man", Ensemble - "A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder", Ensemble - "Bright Star", Sam Carmichael - "Mamma Mia", Mr. Greenway - "Elf the Musical", Scarecrow - "The Wizard of Oz", Willy Wonka - "Willy Wonka", Jesus - "Godspell". He is grateful for the unconditional love and support he gets from his family and friends while chasing his passions.
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Maya is ECSTATIC to be joining the Farmers Alley family! She currently attends Western Michigan University, where she is a sophomore Music Theatre Performance major and Dance minor. At Western, she has enjoyed roles in "The Great Gatsby Immersive", "Legally Blonde", "Utopia", and "The SpongeBob Musical". Fun fact, Maya is Miss Indiana 2025 for American Royal Beauties and was a 2025 New York Fashion Week Model! Favorite credits include: Sarah Brown (Guys and Dolls), Wednesday Addams (The Addams Family), Lola LaCombe (The Great Gatsby Immersive), U/S Sandy (Spongebob), and Jafar (Aladdin Dual Language). None of this would be possible without her loving family. She would especially like to thank her mother, who is the reason she is following her dreams.
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Zachary is thrilled to be making his Farmers Alley Debut! He is a recent graduate from WMU, where he received a BFA in Musical Theatre Performance. Some of his recent credits include Master of Ceremonies in "The Great Gatsby: Immersive", Patrick in "SpongeBob: The Musical", and King Charlemagne in "Pippin".
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Leonard is thrilled to be returning to Kalamazoo and making his Farmers Alley directing debut with Ride the Cyclone. He is a Western Michigan University musical theatre alumni and was last seen performing in the Book of Mormon national tour at Miller Auditorium in 2016. He last directed in Kalamazoo, a production of Hairspray performed at the Civic Theatre spring of 2016. He is currently the associate director for the Book of Mormon national tour. Past directing credits; associate director, Hairspray National Tour; associate director/choreographer, Joe Iconis’ Broadway Bounty Hunter and Punk Rock Girl. Thanks to my family for their constant support and to my mentor Jennifer Werner for her guidance leading me to this moment.
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Brendan Vincent is a sought-after music director who has toured professionally as soloist and music director in Europe, Africa, and Asia. Since moving to Grand Rapids he has performed with the Grand Rapids Symphony, Grand Rapids Ballet Company, Opera Grand Rapids, Broadway Grand Rapids, and more. Having shifted his focus to composition and direction he enjoys being on the other side of the stage conducting shows, orchestras, bands, and more. Find him at the park eating fried chicken and pushing his kids on the swings.
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Nancy Richardson
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Running Time
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Content Advisory
Farmers Alley does not offer advisories about subject matter, as sensitivities vary from person to person. If you have any questions about content, age-appropriateness or stage effects (such as strobe lights or theatrical fog) that might have a bearing on patron comfort, please contact the box office at 269.343.2727
"Ride the Cyclone" contains mature themes and content, including discussions of death, suicide, drugs, and sex, as well as some strong language. Parental Guidance recommended for ages 13 and up. This production contains the following: auditory and visual effects, loud sounds, flashing lights, fog, and haze.