Get ready for a ride unlike any other when the South Bend Civic Theatre presents Ride the Cyclone, the wildly imaginative musical that takes audiences on a journey through life, death and the stories that make us who we are. Performances begin October 30 at the CIVIC Theatre. When the members of a Canadian chamber choir meet an untimely end on a roller coaster, they find themselves in a strange afterlife, where a mysterious mechanical fortune teller offers them one extraordinary opportunity: tell their stories and compete for the chance to return to life.
What follows is a hilarious, heartfelt and completely unexpected journey as each teenager steps into the spotlight to share their story. With an eclectic musical score, unforgettable characters and plenty of surprises along the way, Ride the Cyclone asks audiences to consider what makes a life meaningful and who gets to tell the story.
“This show takes audiences on an incredible journey,” said Laura Lucci, director of Ride the Cyclone. "It is both a darkly hilarious and touching reflection on the nature of selfhood and the meaning of a life well lived."
Performances will take place in the Warner Studio located at the South Bend Civic Theatre, 403 N. Main Street, downtown South Bend. Evening showtimes are November 5, 6, 7, 13, 14 at 7:30pm. Matinees are November 1, 8, and 15 at 2:00pm. Tickets range in price from $30-$37 and can be purchased at sbct.org or by calling the box office at 574-234-1112. A pay-what-you-can preview performance will take place on Thursday, October 29 at 7:30PM.
Civic’s production of Ride the Cyclone is sponsored by Peacock & Company | Maple White Design with additional support from season sponsors the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County and the Indiana Arts Commission.
For more information about Ride the Cyclone and the CIVIC’s 2026 and 2027 seasons, visit sbct.org.