The Nature Coast Technical High School drama department is presenting a unique and thought-provoking musical, ‘Ride the Cyclone,’ which explores themes of insecurity, false bravado, and the complexities of high school life. The production, directed by Mitchell Gonzalez, a veteran actor and director, and drama teacher at Nature Coast, revolves around a group of high school choral students from a small town in Canada who tragically die in a freak roller coaster accident and find themselves in a type of limbo.
The story follows six characters as they compete to cheat death and return to earth. Jacob Marko plays Karnak, a mechanical fortune teller who serves as narrator of the play. The characters include Ocean O’Connell Rosenberg, a perfectionist over-achiever played by Constance Lillie Garrett; Noel Gruber, a campy and fun character played by Vincent Delaney; Mischa Bachinski, an immigrant from Ukraine played by Eamon O’Murchu; Ricky Potts, a socially awkward mute boy played by Abby McAuley; Constance Blackwood, an insecure self-loathing girl played by Makayla Babauef; and “Jane Doe,” a mysterious character played by Kendall Grumbley. The production runs on Friday, March 17, at 7:00 PM and Saturday, March 18, at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM at the Nature Coast Technical High School, located at 11645 NW 117th Ave, Alachua, FL 32615.
The musical is a dark and edgy yet uplifting exploration of the complexities of high school life. It is a unique and thought-provoking production that challenges the audience to think about the complexities of life and death.
Originally reported by Hernando Sun
Sources: Hernando Sun
