Ride The Cyclone

If you take a school choir and thrust them on a devastating roller coaster ride, what would they sing about in the afterlife? That's what you'll find out in the Canadian born and bred musical, Ride the Cyclone, now playing at the Granville Island Stage. Think Glee meets Final Destination. This musical falls in line more with the likes of Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Spring Awakening, in that it's got that dark and gritty element to it. You won't find John Travolta in a wig and mumu anywhere near this.

The original songs are all completely different from one another. Whether it's a French-inspired number set in a twisted Moulin Rouge cabaret hosted by a drag queen, or a Ziggy Stardust-esque number featuring aliens evolved from cats, this show is unstoppable! It starts off quietly with a low rumble, then gathers speed until it twists and turns in all sorts of crazy directions, till it finally reaches its loop the loop, and brings you back down to earth with a smooth ease that some seasoned musicals can't even do.

Each performer was exceptionally talented, the highlight being Sarah Jane Pelzer as Jane Doe, whose voice just lifted us up to new heights, as it absolutely soared throughout the theatre.

Ride The Cyclone began its life in Victoria back in 2009. Since then, it has toured cities in Canada and this marks its return to Vancouver. I could easily see this succeeding off-Broadway, and dare I say, having a turn on to the Great White Way itself. Perhaps we are seeing the start of something big here? What if in a few years time, this little show that could wound up winning the Tony Award for Best New Musical? I've seen a lot of crap on Broadway: Shrek, Title of Show, Wonderland - to name a few. Ride The Cyclone is easily a winner in my books.

Ride The Cyclone is on now at the Granville Island Stage until February 16. Go now or you'll be kicking yourself for missing it before they hit it big!