Talent Abounds in 'Ride the Cyclone'

By GERRY BARKER
North Palm Beach Life

When we bought tickets to see "Ride the Cyclone" at the Maltz Island Theatre in Jupiter, we weren't sure what to expect. We just wanted to treat our 12-year-old granddaughter, who has her own keen interest in performing on stage,  to a live production before school kicks off.

Presented by the Goldner Conservatory August 2-3, and featuring high school students, the caliber of talent and production blew us away.

The play, billed as a "quirky, dark comedy musical," lives us to that description, telling the story of six teens from Uranium City, Saskatchewan, who died in a roller coaster accident and are given a chance for one to come back to life by Karnak, a mysterious, mechanical fortune teller straight out of a "Twilight Zone" episode. Karnak assigns each victim a catchphrase that encapsulates their persona as they compete to be the chosen one in song.

There's humor and pathos in equal measure as we learn each teen's backstory. We meet the self-assured Ocean (Natalie Mammolito), the gay dreamer Noel (Chase Luttenauer), bad boy Mischa (Mack Fernandez), sweet wallflower Constance (Amy Dominguez), super hero wannabe Ricky (Joseph McDonald) and amnesia-striken Jane Doe (Khloe Vargas). Karnak is played by Lew Barski.

Backed by an ensemble cast, solid choreography and an engaging musical score, the cast performed a lot more like seasoned professionals rather than high schoolers. If "Ride the Cyclone" is any indication, theater will be alive and well for many years to come.

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