Step right up! Don’t be shy! Karnak knows your future, he even knows when you’ll die. Karnak can grant wishes, too, if you want it most. What have you done with the time you were given? Are you worthy of a second chance at life, or did you Ride the Cyclone never to return? Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell’s musical Ride the Cyclone is an eerie exploration of life and the afterlife through the eyes of doomed teenagers. Directed by 郝邦宇 Steven Hao and choreographed by Madison Arnason, Ride the Cyclone is a fitting start to spooky season.

Karnak sees five teenagers, all a part of the Saint Cassian High School’s chamber choir, and he knows precisely when they’re going to die: that very evening, on The Cyclone, a favourite ride of one of the youngsters. Though they all do perish, Karnak is able to grant one of them a return to the land of the living, so who wants it most? Ocean O’Connell Rosenberg, the overachiever straight A student? Her best friend Constance Blackwood, who tries to find beauty in the every day of her small town? Noel Gruber, a sweet sensitive soul who longs for his life to play out like a French foreign film? Mischa Bachinski, who struggles with his anger and vulnerability? Or Ricky Potts, who none of his friends knows can talk, but has a wildly vivid imagination? And then there’s this other girl, a Jane Doe, who even Karnak doesn’t know. She can’t recall who she is or what her life was like before this moment. How can they choose one amongst them to live again? Only Karnak knows for certain.

The travelling carnival to which Karnak belongs has made its way to Uranium, Saskatchewan. Meredith Wolting has created an ominous vintage-style carnival where Karnak and his friends have settled, with bare lightbulbs and lit marquee letters giving it that antique feel. Paired with Claudia Matas’ costume design, the creepy carnival world comes to life. When Karnak himself finally makes an appearance, moments before his demise at the hands of his arch nemesis Virgil the rat, he’s truly larger than life. It’s all juxtaposed starkly by the straight-laced uniforms the teens are wearing, giving us a taste of their personalities while also reinforcing that they are not of this place, they are merely guests of Karnak.

Tanner Hamlin, Declan Hewitt, Emma Kidd, Kate Megginson, Kristen Thompson and Rebecca Ward bring Karnak to life; at times speaking as one, in others their voices reverberating around the room as they discuss their new arrivals. They also start out the show on stage, milling about and tidying up the carnival area, which immediately sets the tone and spirit of the production. Sarah Evasiw brings such vivacity to Ocean; this character certainly goes through the most growth, and Evasiw embodies it gracefully. Claudia Adamo brings a sweet sass to Constance, not to mention her mad recorder skills. Eric Martin steals hearts as Noel, with a heartbreakingly endearing flair. Alex Yoannou’s Mischa has such an interesting backstory, and it was incredible to watch Yoannou yo-yo between the anger and sadness of his character. Misha Sharivker gives charisma and comedy through his portrayal of Ricky. Shannon Murtagh’s acting and vocal performances left me speechless; it’s like that role was made for her.

My only wish, which I hope Karnak will grant, is for the sound mixing. Though having a live band is absolutely lovely, it was difficult to hear the cast sing for most of the score. I could hear at times how they had the reverberations on for when Karnak speaks, yet it wasn’t nearly loud enough to strike the proper amount of fear into our hearts (I assume Karnak feeds on the fear of our hearts). Otherwise, Ride the Cyclone is absolutely another feather in the caps of Shifting Ground Collective, and makes me perpetually excited to see what they’ll do next.

Do you want Karnak to read your fortune? What would you do if you knew when you were going to die? Would you be able to surrender to the void to give someone else a chance? Ride the Cyclone and find out!

Ride the Cyclone runs until October 4, and unfortunately every show is currently sold out. Fear not! There is a wait list as well as a cancellation list, so head over to their website to find out how to get in line for tickets: https://shiftinggroundcollective.com/cyclone/

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Cover Photo: From L-R: Misha Sharivker, Eric Martin, Sarah Evasiw, Claudia Adamo, Alex Yoannou. Set Design by Meredith Wolting. Costume Design by Claudia Matas. Lighting Design by Mathilda Kane. Photo by Taylor Long.

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