PERFORMANCES

Apr 18–May 5, 2024

WHERE

Studio One, Riffe Center
GET TICKETS

Get ready for the ride of a lifetime – or, the end of a lifetime that is! After a tragic rollercoaster accident claims the lives of several high school choir students, they find themselves in the afterlife at a dilapidated carnival, face-to-face with the mechanical fortune teller, The Amazing Karnak. In his crystal ball, Karnak sees that only one student can be returned to the land of the living, and it is up to them to decide which among them is most deserving. As the students 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. Twisted, bizarre, and hilarious, buckle your seatbelts because you won’t want to miss this wild ride!

DETAILS:

  • Runtime: 90 minutes, no intermission.
  • Content: Recommended for ages 13+
  • Location: Studio One, Riffe Center
  • Tickets: $48

  • Talkbacks: April 27 & May 4

  • Thursday, April 18, 7:30 pm
  • Friday, April 19, 8 pm
  • Saturday, April 20, 8 pm
  • Sunday, April 21, 2 pm
  • Thursday, April 25, 7:30 pm
  • Friday, April 26, 8 pm
  • Saturday, April 27, 8 pm
  • Sunday, April 28, 2 pm – SOLD OUT
  • Thursday, May 2, 7:30 pm
  • Friday, May 3, 8 pm
  • Saturday, May 4, 8 pm
  • Sunday, May 5, 2 pm

All tickets: $48

For all subscription/membership renewals and tickets purchased after July 1, 2019, and for events taking place in the City of Columbus, a 5% ticket fee will be applied. The Columbus arts and culture fee will be applied to for- and nonprofit arts, sports, and entertainment tickets and admissions in the City of Columbus. The Columbus Arts & Culture Fee helps make the arts available to all by funding free festivals and events, exemplary artists, arts organizations, and programs that educate and engage audiences throughout Greater Columbus.

Click here for information on ticket discounts including Student Rush and Pay What You Want.

  • Leda Hoffmann (she/her) – Director
  • Malik Khalfani (he/him) – Music Director
  • Annie Fischer (she/her) – Choreographer
  • Courtney O’Neill + (she/they) – Scenic Designer
  • Tabitha Abney (she/her) – Costume Designer
  • Lee Fiskness + (he/him) – Lighting Designer
  • Alex Oliszewski (he/him) – Media Designer
  • Dave Wallingford (he/him) – Sound Designer
  • Katherine Simon (she/they) – Props Design
  • Kelsey Gallagher (she/her) – Associate Lighting Designer
  • Jesse Charles (he/him) – Associate Sound Designer and Board Operator
  • Jessica Morgan (she/her) – Intimacy Director
  • Angelina Steshenko (she/her) – Dialect Coach
  • Jaclyn Benedict (she/her) – Stage Manager
  • Ellie Price (they/them) – Assistant Stage Manager
  • Sunny Walton (they/them) – Follow Spot Operator

Join us immediately following select performances for the chance to learn more about how the production was made, meet some of the cast, and share their insights after viewing the story.

Talkback Dates:

  • Saturday, April 27
  • Saturday, May 4

VIEW DIGITAL PROGRAM

   MEET THE CAST   

Karnak

Brian C. Gray
Ocean

Becky Keeshin
Mischa

George Lorimer
Noel

Nicholas McInturff
Ricky

J’Von Jones
Constance

Shauna Marie
Jane Doe

Mackenzie Leland

Karnak

Brian C. Gray

Brian C Gray (KARNAK) [he/they] is a singer/actor living on the East Side of Columbus. Brian carries two music degrees: a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Otterbein University, and a Master of Music in Music Theatre from Oklahoma City University. Post graduating Brian performed with various theatre companies including Playhouse on the Square in Memphis, TN, Lexington Children’s Theatre in Lexington, KY, and the Springer Opera House in Columbus, GA.

Locally, Brian has performed in numerous theatre productions with several companies, including: The Contemporary (previously CATCO), Columbus Children’s Theatre, Available Light Theatre, Short North Stage, and more. Brian now teaches as part of the Adjunct Voice Faculty at Otterbein University and directs the OutLoud BIPOC Theatre Collective at Olentangy Orange High School in central Ohio.

Ocean

Becky Keeshin

Becky Keeshin – Credits include The Band’s Visit (Writers Theatre and Theatre Squared), As You Like It, The Old Man and The Old Moon (Door Shakespeare); ShakesFest! (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), Fiddler on the Roof (Lyric Opera of Chicago); Indecent (Contemporary Theatre of Ohio), Nunsense (Porchlight Music Theatre), Tuck Everlasting, Mockingbird and Auntie Claus (Nashville Children’s Theatre); A Little Night Music (Writers Theatre) and others with Marriott Theatre, First Folio, and A Red Orchid Theatre. She holds a BFA in Acting from the Theatre School at DePaul University. Proud AEA Member and represented by DDO Artists Agency. Love to David and Thriller. 

Mischa

George Lorimer

George Lorimer [he/him] (MISCHA) is thrilled to be making his debut at The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio in Ride the Cyclone!  Previous credits include, Titanic, A Christmas Carol, As You Like It (Milwaukee Rep), Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad (VA Rep on Tour), Macbeth, Much Ado About Nothing (Summit Players Theatre), SpongeBob: the Musical, Anatole (First Stage), Pirates of Penzance (Ohio Light Opera). George is also a founding member and executive producer of Vanguard Productions, an independent theatre in Milwaukee which recently produced All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914. He is a proud graduate of the College of Wooster. ig: @george_lorimer_   

Noel

Nicholas McInturff

Nicholas McInturff [NOEL] (he/they) is elated to make his debut on The Contemporary stage. Nicholas has recently been seen as Carmen Ghia (The Producers) and Motel (Fiddler on the Roof). Other favorite roles include Frederic (Pirates of Penzance), Frederick (Young Frankenstein), Mary Sunshine (Chicago) and Noel (Ride the Cyclone). Nicholas studied Music and Theatre at Muskingum University. They express their sincerest gratitude to their friends, cast, crew, creative team, Lucas, and the Columbus theatre community. 

Ricky

J’Von Jones

J’Von Jones (RICKY) [he/him] is a 22 year old actor and musician born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. J’Von has most recently been credited as Neville Landless in The Mystery of Edwin Drood with Imagine Productions. Prior to, he has been involved in productions with Opera Columbus, The Columbus Children’s Theater, and The Little Theatre off Broadway. In addition to his passion for music and theatre, J’Von loves to cook, watch movies and meet new people. He would like to thank God for his grace, mercy, and his love as well as everyone supporting him in the audience at this performance.

Constance

Shauna Marie

Shauna Marie [CONSTANCE] (she/her) is a human. She is fortunate enough to get to play onstage with other humans. The last time she was onstage with other humans was as Irene Molloy in Hello, Dolly! at the Renaissance Theatre in Mansfield featuring Jennifer Simmard and Jeff Richmond. She is so pumped to ride this deadly ride with this sickening cast and would like to thank Noah, her companion human, for his endless love and support. Enjoy the ride, y’all! 

Jane Doe

Mackenzie Leland

Mackenzie Leland (Jane Doe) (she/her) a Columbus performer, is excited to be joining The Contemporary for the first time this spring in Ride The Cyclone. Local credits: Belle (Beauty and the Beast), Emily (Our Town), Bonnie (Bonnie and Clyde), Olive (Spelling Bee), and Mary (Mary Poppins). She has also recently worked as a touring actor and teaching artist with CCT.  Mackenzie is a huge fan of roller coasters, vintage clothing, and pho. She thanks her family and Matthew for all their love and support.

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