Presents Ride the Cyclone Nov. 10th – Dec. 2nd, 2023
The Selma Arts Center announces their production of Ride the Cyclone, playing at the Selma Arts Center, November 10th through December 2nd, 2023 in Selma, CA.
Selma Arts Center is located at 1935 High St, Selma, CA 93662.
RIDE THE CYCLONE is an outlandish and bold new musical from Brooke Maxwell & Jacob Richmond. This wonderful musical follows six teenagers from a Canadian chamber choir whose lives 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. A hilarious, emotional, musical exhibition, Ride the Cyclone brings to life a compelling coming-of-age story while taking a look at what makes a life well-lived!
“It’s everything you loved and everything you dreamed.” Directors Claudio Laso and Chris Ortiz-Belcher have built an unforgettable theater experience, unlike anything you’ve seen before. “Our goal is always to collaborate with our teams’ and performers’ artistic instincts to elevate the production into something we can all be proud of while teaching new skills to newer performers and production members. ”, says Laso.
“Our collective vision for our show is to turn the Selma Arts Center stage into a Black Box of sorts. All seating will be on the stage, surrounding the actors on three sides, allowing the audience to be fully immersed in their world.”, adds Ortiz-Belcher.
SAC’s production of Ride the Cyclone showcases talented actors from all over the valley, with not one,
but TWO completely different casts, each bringing their own perspectives to the stage.
“The Central Valley is jam-packed with talent, so by double-casting our show, we’re able to create twice
the amount of opportunity for actors,” says Ortiz-Belcher.
The show follows the six teens on their journey through limbo, accompanied by a mechanical fortune teller. Our first group, dubbed the Fortune Cast, consists of Alyssa Burgos (Ocean), Dylan Hardcastle (Mischa), Jacob Moon (Noel), Noah Villaverde (Ricky), Erin Brown (Constance), Jenna Erickson (Jane), and Summer S. Session (The Amazing Karnak). Our second group, the Fate Cast, is made up of Jenna Roza-Cabello (Ocean), P.J. Causing (Mischa), Taylor Brunzell (Noel), Joseph Portela (Ricky), Shelby Manley (Constance), Chloe Mae Tabor (Jane), and Jacob Gonzalez (The Amazing Karnak).
The Selma Arts Center will host this production of Ride the Cyclone. This thrilling and upbeat show will be our first official mainstage show of our 2023-24 season, and we could not be more excited. “It’s going to be a wild ride,” says SAC Supervisor Nicolette C. Andersen. “I’m so excited for the new faces on our stage and the eerie magical set design by Christina McCollums. The audience will feel like they entered into a fun house.”
SAC’s production of Ride the Cyclone is led by directors Claudio Laso (She Kills Monsters, Carrie the Musical) and Chris Ortiz-Belcher (Little Shop of Horrors), with vocal direction by Ke’Lea Flowers, costume design by Levi Hills, makeup design by Nicole LaJune, Choreography by Jacob Moon and Sadahri Wren, set design by Christina McCollum, lighting design by Vinny Galindo, and Francisco Ruiz as property manager. The production stage manager is Glenda Stewart and Savannah West serves as Assistant Stage Manager alongside Liliana Morgan.
RIDE THE CYCLONE runs for four weekends, and includes performances on:
Fortune Cast Performances: Friday, November 10; Saturday, November 11; Sunday, November 12, Thursday, November 30; Friday, December 1; and Saturday, December 2.
Fate Cast Performances: Friday, November 17; Saturday, November 18; Sunday, November 19; Friday, November 24; Saturday, November 25; Sunday, November 26.
Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7:30 PM, with additional 2:00 PM matinee performances planned for Saturdays and Sundays. Also planned are some special events throughout the run of this production including: a Back-to-School Social Hour with beer & wine available for sale, all on the evening of Saturday, November 11th, a Cast Cabaret following our Black Friday performance on November 25th, and a Student Discount/Talk Back night on November 30th.
Tickets are available for purchase now at selmaartscenter.com or at the Selma Arts Center box office located at 1935 High Street, Selma, CA 93662. Box office hours are Tuesday–Friday, 1PM-5PM. Tickets are $21.00 for adults, $19.00 for Seniors/ Students and $15.00 for children 12 and under. Tickets will also be available at the door for the same price, until sold out. This production is rated ‘PG-13.
For more information, call (559) 891-2238, email nicolettea@cityofselma.com, or visit the Selma Arts Center website at selmaartscenter.com.
