For almost a month starting 23 May 2024, Hayes Theatre Co is set to be home to the Australian premiere of musical Ride the Cyclone. While only a few weeks out from opening, a new casting announcement has been made. The producers have confirmed that Pamela Rabe will be joining the cast, lending her voice to ‘The Amazing Karnak’. This is ultimately a pre-recorded role, with Rabe’s lines already recorded in the studio, with the aim being to combine the “set, sound, lighting and audio-visual design to conjure the character of the mysterious fortune-teller automaton who orchestrates and narrates the story”.
The on-stage cast for Ride the Cyclone includes Natalie Abbott (Zombie! The Musical, Muriel’s Wedding) as Constance, Bailey Dunnage (RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under) as Noel, Lincoln Elliott (The Hello Girls, Sunshine Super Girl)as Mischa, Justin Gray making his professional debut as Ricky, Ava Madon (A Little Night Music, The Lucky Country) as Jane Doe and Karis Oka (Fangirls, Six) as Ocean, with understudies Mel O’Brien (Fangirls) and Alec Steedman (Once).
Ride The Cyclone tells the hilarious and exhilarating story of six teenagers from a Canadian chamber choir who encounter a freak accident aboard the titular rollercoaster. 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. As the teens compete to prove their worthiness, they sing and dance their way through a series of hilarious and touching performances, revealing their deepest hopes and fears.
Ride the Cyclone will be performed at Hayes Theatre Co in Sydney from 23 May 2024 until 22 June 2024 – with tickets ranging from $64.00 to $89.00 a seat. Ticketing information is available from the venue’s website, or by calling their box office on (02) 8065 7337.
