Once More, With Feeling

On Saturday night I went to the last performance of Ride The Cyclone. For those keeping track, this would be the 4th time including 2 during their Summerworks debut. But I wanted to see it at a night-time setting in a sold-out venue knowing that the audience vibe would be quite different than a 2 pm show. Though I don't think I was the most dedicated Cyclone-ite there. Last Saturday, at the Frank and Lily show, I talked to an older gentleman who claimed to have gone every night that week. That would be 5 times in a row. I saw him again tonight and if he was serious about it, this would be his 6th performance ... or possibly 10th.

The actors performed with extra verve and emotion tonight. The songs were even more energetic and the pathos were keener. Kelly Hudson as Constance Blackwood could not restrained her tears during her monologue about the lonely life of a fat teenager. The audience rewarded the cast with 3 enthusiastic curtain calls at the end. During the show, every solo got extended cheers and claps, the longest of which was for Rielle Braid's Ocean O'Donnell. After her electric "gospel" number, the sustained applause went on for a minute or more, forcing Matthew Coulson (Misha) to have several aborted starts before he was able to continue with his lines.

This was a wonderful way to end a 3-week (and completely sold-out) run for this show. For the final bow, you can see how much joy the cast experienced for their hard work. But I'm still waiting for that soundtrack.