High Tide Theatrical announces ‘Ride the Cyclone,’ opening August 28

High Tide Theatrical, Springfield's nonprofit theatre company dedicated to accessible and inclusive live performance, announces the opening of “Ride the Cyclone,” running August 28 through September 12, 2026, at The Lightroom Lounge at Martha's Vineyard, 215 W. Olive Street in downtown Springfield.

Written by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell, Ride the Cyclone is a cult-favorite musical that has captivated audiences worldwide since its premiere. The story begins when the Saint Cassian High School Chamber Choir tragically dies in a freak roller coaster accident. They soon find themselves in a carnival-like limbo where a mysterious fortune-telling machine offers one of them the chance to return to life. As each choir member steps forward to share their story through an eclectic, genre-hopping score — spanning pop ballads, rap, cabaret and everything in between — the show weaves together themes of mortality, identity and what it truly means to live.

Equal parts hilarious, haunting and heartwarming, Ride the Cyclone is both an irreverent comedy and a poignant reflection on the human experience. Its fast-paced wit and unforgettable characters make for an exhilarating evening that leaves audiences laughing, crying and humming long after the curtain falls.

The cast features Mark Gideon as Karnak, Grace Wolfe as Jane Doe, Addie Meadows as Ocean O'Connell, Courtney Stanford as Constance Blackwood, Warren Swedberg as Ricky Potts, Riley Givens as Noel Gruber and Alex Smith as Mischa Bachinski.

The production is directed by Joshua David Smith, with additional creative team credits to be announced.

Ride the Cyclone runs approximately one hour and forty minutes with no intermission and is rated PG-13 for language and thematic content. A relaxed performance is scheduled for Thursday, September 3, at 7:30 p.m. A College Night performance with discounted student tickets is scheduled for Friday, September 11 at 7:30 p.m.

Performances run Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., with select Thursday performances, August 28 through September 12, 2026.

Tickets are on sale now at hightidesgf.org/shows.

Pricing: VIP table for two: $100; adults: $30; students/seniors/military: $24; student rush/college night: $15.

High Tide Theatrical is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to accessible, inclusive theatrical productions that cultivate progressive thinking, empathy and unity. The 2026 season continues with “The Rocky Horror Show” and “Next to Normal: The Reunion Benefit” later this fall. The company is supported in part by Martha's Vineyard, Roundtable Legal, Bodysmith Pilates, Barefield Law and the generosity of the Springfield community.

For more information, visit hightidesgf.org or follow High Tide Theatrical on Facebook at facebook.com/hightidesgf, Instagram at @hightidetheatrical, and TikTok at @hightidetheatrical.