September 16 – October 25 in Arlington Heights, Illinois
In a now-abandoned theme park, six teenagers killed in a roller coaster accident are given one impossible choice: one of them can return to life.
Hilarious, macabre and unexpectedly moving, RIDE THE CYCLONE is a wildly original musical about what makes a life worth living.
September 16 – October 25 in Arlington Heights, Illinois
In a now-abandoned theme park, six teenagers killed in a roller coaster accident are given one impossible choice: one of them can return to life.
Hilarious, macabre and unexpectedly moving, RIDE THE CYCLONE is a wildly original musical about what makes a life worth living.
CYCLONE Comes Roaring Back to Chicago!
We’re proud to have original cast member Lillian Castillo serve as our director!
CYCLONE Comes Roaring Back to Chicago!
We’re proud to have original cast member Lillian Castillo serve as our director!
RIDE THE CYCLONE has come a long way since its U.S. premiere in Chicago at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Now, the cult-favorite musical returns to the area with a special connection to its Chicago roots.
Metropolis’ production is directed by Lillian Castillo, a member of the original Chicago cast, bringing a unique perspective to the musical’s dark humor, larger-than-life characters and surprising heart. Her point of view gives our cast and creative team the opportunity to explore the show with someone who knows it from the inside while creating a production that is distinctly Metropolis.
“Lillian is magical, and we’re delighted that she’s joined the team,” says Metropolis Artistic Director, Johanna Miller. “This show is a natural fit for Metropolis. It’s an opportunity to reach a new audience with an intimate, human story that’s right-sized for our space. It’s also especially meaningful to me because my dear friend Rachel Rockwell helped develop and direct the show at Chicago Shakespeare.”
We’ve also got another original cast member coming to Metropolis on September 30th!
EMILY ROHM AND THE JANE DOE TRAVELING SHOW is flying onto our stage, and we couldn’t be more excited!
Emily Rohm’s one-night-only show will take you on a high-flying ride with original songs from her solo album, classic show tunes, and of course- songs from the beloved musical RIDE THE CYCLONE. Her acrobatic vocals are accompanied by a live band with some of the best musicians in Chicago. So step right up and get your tickets now!
CYCLONE Comes Roaring Back to Chicago!
We’re proud to have original cast member Lillian Castillo serve as our director!
CYCLONE Comes Roaring Back to Chicago!
We’re proud to have original cast member Lillian Castillo serve as our director!
RIDE THE CYCLONE has come a long way since its U.S. premiere in Chicago at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Now, the cult-favorite musical returns to the area with a special connection to its Chicago roots.
Metropolis’ production is directed by Lillian Castillo, a member of the original Chicago cast, bringing a unique perspective to the musical’s dark humor, larger-than-life characters and surprising heart. Her point of view gives our cast and creative team the opportunity to explore the show with someone who knows it from the inside while creating a production that is distinctly Metropolis.
“Lillian is magical, and we’re delighted that she’s joined the team,” says Metropolis Artistic Director, Johanna Miller. “This show is a natural fit for Metropolis. It’s an opportunity to reach a new audience with an intimate, human story that’s right-sized for our space. It’s also especially meaningful to me because my dear friend Rachel Rockwell helped develop and direct the show at Chicago Shakespeare.”
We’ve also got another original cast member coming to Metropolis on September 30th!
EMILY ROHM AND THE JANE DOE TRAVELING SHOW is flying onto our stage, and we couldn’t be more excited!
Emily Rohm’s one-night-only show will take you on a high-flying ride with original songs from her solo album, classic show tunes, and of course- songs from the beloved musical RIDE THE CYCLONE. Her acrobatic vocals are accompanied by a live band with some of the best musicians in Chicago. So step right up and get your tickets now!
Dave Honigman
The Amazing Karnak
Alex Merkel
Ocean O’Connell Rosenberg
Peyton Owen
Noel Gruber
Eric Amundson
Mischa Bachinski
Eldon Warner-Soriano
Ricky Potts
Diana Marilyn Alvarez
Constance Blackwood
Amelia Tam
Jane Doe
Ian Rigg
The Amazing Karnak Understudy
Connar Brown Sprenger
Ocean O’Connell Rosenberg Understudy
Kyle Widener
Noel Gruber Understudy
Eli Blanks
Mischa Bachinski Understudy
Aidan Leake
Ricky Potts Understudy
Rylee Michelle
Constance Blackwood Understudy
Molly Bremer
Jane Doe Understudy
Director: Lillian Castillo
Music Director: Carolyn Brady
Choreographer: Mandy Modic
Stage Manager: Kyle Aschbrenner
Assistant Stage Manager: Alexandra Raffini
SM/ASM Swing: Veronica Kostka
Scenic Designer: Angela Weber Miller
Technical Director: David Moreland
Lighting Designer: Denise Karczewski
Projections Designer: Anthony Churchill
Associate Projections Designer: Averie Leger
Sound Designer: Sarah Ramos
Associate Sound Designer: Mia Howard
Costume Designer: Rachel Boylan
Wig & Hair Designer: Miguel Ramos
Props Designer: Kelli Lawrence
Scenic Artist: Brett Baleskie
Intimacy / Violence Coordinator: Amber Wuttke
Wardrobe Supervisor: Venus Petter
Wardrobe Swing: Reve Smith
Sound Engineer: Maya Reter
Sound Engineer Swing: Elie Bufford
A2 / Stagehand: Amanda Pusateri
A2 / Stagehand Swing: Carly Meyer
Spot Op: Amy Cole
Spot Op: Astra Duffy
Spot Op Swing: Bryce Lederer
Director: Lillian Castillo
Music Director: Carolyn Brady
Choreographer: Mandy Modic
Stage Manager: Kyle Aschbrenner
Assistant Stage Manager: Alexandra Raffini
SM/ASM Swing: Veronica Kostka
Scenic Designer: Angela Weber Miller
Technical Director: David Moreland
Lighting Designer: Denise Karczewski
Projections Designer: Anthony Churchill
Associate Projections Designer: Averie Leger
Sound Designer: Sarah Ramos
Associate Sound Designer: Mia Howard
Costume Designer: Rachel Boylan
Wig & Hair Designer: Miguel Ramos
Props Designer: Kelli Lawrence
Scenic Artist: Brett Baleskie
Intimacy / Violence Coordinator: Amber Wuttke
Wardrobe Supervisor: Venus Petter
Wardrobe Swing: Reve Smith
Sound Engineer: Maya Reter
Sound Engineer Swing: Elie Bufford
A2 / Stagehand: Amanda Pusateri
A2 / Stagehand Swing: Carly Meyer
Spot Op: Amy Cole
Spot Op: Astra Duffy
Spot Op Swing: Bryce Lederer
Planning your trip to see RIDE THE CYCLON? We’ve teamed up with our official hotel partner, DoubleTree by Hilton Arlington Heights, to offer you an exclusive, budget-friendly stay just minutes from the theatre.
Whether you just need a comfy bed after a wild ride of a show or want to wake up to a hot breakfast, we’ve got the perfect rate for you.
Planning your trip to see RIDE THE CYCLONE? We’ve teamed up with our official hotel partner, DoubleTree by Hilton Arlington Heights, to offer you an exclusive, budget-friendly stay just minutes from the theatre.
Whether you just need a comfy bed after a wild ride of a show or want to wake up to a hot breakfast, we’ve got the perfect rate for you.
Select your preferred package below to lock in your discount:
Plus, enjoy these additional perks!
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Complimentary shuttle bus service to/from downtown Arlington Heights
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Complimentary wired and wireless internet access
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Complimentary parking
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Complimentary coffee station in the lobby between 6:00 am and 10:00 am
Select your preferred package below to lock in your discount:
Plus, enjoy these additional perks!
-
Complimentary shuttle bus service to/from downtown Arlington Heights
-
Complimentary wired and wireless internet access
-
Complimentary parking
-
Complimentary coffee station in the lobby between 6:00 am and 10:00 am
Runtime: 90 minutes, no intermission
Metra Stop: If you’re taking the Metra, take the Union Pacific Northwest (UP-NW) to Arlington Heights. Then, it’s a three-minute walk to the theatre!
Content Advisory: adult language, depictions of alcohol/tobacco/recreational drug use, mention of prostitution/sex work, and themes of death, loss, sexuality, and alienation
Age Recommendation: 14 and up
American Sign Language Interpreted Performance: October 8, 2026, 7:30 pm
Open-Captioned Performance: September 26 2026, 2:00 pm
Runtime: 90 minutes with no intermission
Runtime: 90 minutes, no intermission
Metra Stop: If you’re taking the Metra, take the Union Pacific Northwest (UP-NW) to Arlington Heights. Then, it’s a three-minute walk to the theatre!
Content Advisory: adult language, depictions of alcohol/tobacco/recreational drug use, mention of prostitution/sex work, and themes of death, loss, sexuality, and alienation
Age Recommendation: 14 and up
American Sign Language Interpreted Performance: October 8, 2026, 7:30 pm
Open-Captioned Performance: September 26 2026, 2:00 pm
Runtime: 90 minutes with no intermission