Ride the Cyclone

See it if Talented, energetic cast keep this vehicle on track when music/lyrics flag mid-stream. Sensational production design holds interest as well

Don't see it if Quirky adolescent appeal wins out despite loss of momentum. Has a "Fringe-like" earnestness that might turn-off. Schmaltzy ending is deadly

See it if you enjoy something left of center. This show is fresh and quirky with terrific performances and sets, lighting, projection, and costumes.

Don't see it if you prefer something more traditional. Go see Holiday Inn. You'll love it.

See it if I can't recommend it.

Don't see it if Don't see it. It felt very slow, the songs were very disjointed and not that pleasant to listen to. Topic also unpleasant.

Also It didn't seem like a professional NYC production. It seemed very amateurish, more like a not-that-great high school show.... Read more Read less

See it if You like quirky musicals and young energetic actors;are not offended by death as the basis for a series of flashbacks into life & humor

Don't see it if You expect an elaborate set, costumes, memorable songs and inoffensive lyrics;are a puritan;lock your teens in at night

Also Cyclone is an incredible play about death and teenage life. Each character has a chance to examine his or her life and deem its worthiness, based on happiness and friendship.
The actors sing and dance as a unit, and individually with great energy. The narrator is a clever character. The staging is wonderful.
It is a terrific change from the usual performances. The audience was very receptive and I thought it was very creative with wonderful direction and staging.... Read more Read less

See it if you want a show that tries to be all things to all people; you like overly long numbers and stereotyped personalities, young actors at work.

Don't see it if you want wonderful moments throughout the play; you enjoy a musical with a good score and a story with some depth.

Also There is one fascinating character who holds my attention. Other than that, the play is neither good nor bad, it just is. Should not be considered for a Broadway run.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy new and innovative musicals with a fun score. The set was astounding, the acting was terrific, the singing was great.

Don't see it if You don't like musicals with a small cast. The story isn't super fleshed out. But it's so much fun to watch, I forgive it this flaw.

See it if you like fun musicals. Nothing serious here. Just some very clever staging, good performances, terrific set, fun music.

Don't see it if you are looking for anything thought provoking. This is a terrific show for off Bway. Not enough "meat" to transfer. A lot of talented folks

See it if An engaging cast performs a peppy score and a very original show. Liked it a lot.

Don't see it if There is no intermission.

See it if you want to see a young & talented cast in a bizarre & quirky new musical.

Don't see it if you want a very satisfying experience; the story simmered out 3/4 of the way through

See it if you like to have fun and for some exciting theatrical moments even though the theme is a bit trite

Don't see it if you like complex, ambiguous theater and you don't mind some dark ideas.

See it if a cross between The Breakfast Club and Final Destination 3 sounds intriguing to you. This was funny and different - I totally recommend it.

Don't see it if you have a strong fear of amusement park rides. Or amusement park fortune tellers. Or amusement parks in general.

See it if you want great singing in various musical styles, a variety of quirky fantasy scenes , & would find a different & bizarre musical fun

Don't see it if you need more of a story line - the 6 students tell their different stories (their lives & dreams) in solos; or if bothered by carnivals

Also While the story starts with 6 teenagers killed in a roller coaster accident, the musical is surprisingly uplifting... Read more Read less

See it if Unique, dark/funny musical about the death of 6 teenagers set in a decayed amusement park. Fantastic! You won't see anything else like this.

Don't see it if The theme of death or the creepy carnival set would bother you. Each actor was great & had a moment to shine. Great set & special effects.

Also I loved the Zoltar-type carnival fortune teller machine as narrator. Surprisingly high production level for a small theater show. Bravo!... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a snapshot of teens and their wishes and dreams. Reminds you of a moment in your life. Good music. Great performers.

Don't see it if You aren't interested in 6 teen profiles without really anything to tie them together. Although characters were great, lacked interaction.

Also Spoiler:

Found the 6th girl a bizarre touch and the lack of knowing who she was - no parent coming forward even more bizarre... and implausable. - Although her song was one of my favorites. Wanted the show to be more, but it was the things that occupied teens. Wish there had been more of a twist or reveal. The script was lacking, but worth going for the actors, who'd get a 100 for their making weak material work. Reminded me of Cats. A lot of good music without much meat.... Read more Read less

See it if You want a great night of theater with super performances by all and things to ponder after it's over.

Don't see it if If you want more conventional theater experiences.

See it if You want to see talented younger actors giving their all, topic is disturbing but thought provoking

Don't see it if You want to avoid the topic of death or only like light fare

See it if You are looking for a really original show with quirky characters that you can't help but love. Great mix of comedy, drama and heart.

Don't see it if You prefer traditional musicals and storylines or don't like shows that rely on special effects and projections, although they are used well

Also This show reminded me of a darkly comic version of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, which is one of my favorites.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy original musicals in content, form, and viewpoint. You want your cerebral ideas mixed with more pedestrian bits.

Don't see it if you're going to be disappointed with a piece that does not fulfill all of its ambitions

See it if would like a mash up of Spelling Bee, Cats, and Heathers--a darkly funny musical with an excellent young cast

Don't see it if don't like black humor, are freaked out by carnival shows

See it if you want to see an original musical with a new point of view. The score/script really allows the cast to shine.

Don't see it if you want something traditional or you are looking for a linear plot line. This is a very quirky show that is not for everyone.

See it if You enjoy how people manage their lives and make their excuses to themselves. Nothing is sure.

Don't see it if You have no interest in what people do to get along with each other in the eyes of fate.

See it if you want to see a strange, but not actually inventive, musical, very well staged and energetically performed. There are several funny bits.

Don't see it if you expect the show to move or engage you; it's self-indulgent and works too hard.

See it if you can imagine Rocky Horror meets A Chorus Line in the afterlife. Six teens die on a roller coaster, sing and dance about life and love

Don't see it if you don't want to be uplifted, laugh, and be amazed by crazy talented kids, or don't like off-Bway, small theater, dark humor

Also This show needs to transfer to another small theater and live a long life in which we can go back again and again and sing along with its unforgettable characters. My only qualm was a sort of a cheat at the end in which the rules of the game are suddenly changed. "That's not fair," one character cries, and I agree.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see a fun, original musical with a talented cast.

Don't see it if you have a problem with young characters who are deceased.

See it if you like offbeat Fringe fare and have eclectic musical tastes -- the score is all over the place in a good way.

Don't see it if you want an ending in sync with the rest of the story -- it was too earnest compared to the flippant storytelling that preceded it.