Local theater group, the Ponderosa Players, is set to captivate audiences February 19-22 with their production of the musical Ride the Cyclone at Open Space Event Studios in Bend, Oregon. Known for their pre-professional youth theater productions, the Ponderosa Players are poised to deliver this cult hit musical, which blends humor, emotion, and amazing technical feats.

Ride the Cyclone gained significant popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, with clips from a Washington, D.C. production captivating TikTok viewers nationwide. The story follows six high school students who find themselves in a surreal purgatory after a tragic roller coaster accident. Guided by a sentient fortune-telling machine, The Amazing Karnak, the students compete for a chance to return to Earth by singing and dancing their way through a series of challenges.

“The edits they made to the show are really smart,” says Ponderosa Players co-founder Kisky Holwerda. “It’s a truly hilarious show, and they preserved the quality of the original script amazingly well.”

This special high school edition specifically created the content is accessible to young performers. The dynamic and relatable themes of loss, hope, and the challenges of being in high school, which was even more relevant during the pandemic years, gave this production a new breath.

The cast features seven local students aged 14 to 18, with two swings covering multiple roles. The incorporation of swings is a new approach for the Ponderosa Players and presents an exciting educational opportunity for the two alternates. While swings will not perform except in cases when the principal cast is ill or injured, they attend every rehearsal and master dialogue, music, and choreography for several parts. This intense preparation helps them hone a wide range of skills for success in professional theater. As a whole, the dedicated cast members rehearse nine hours a week for ten weeks.

In addition to the cast, the production features a live band, creative lighting and projection, and choreography that includes a unique “flying” effect. Limited by space and unable to rely on traditional rigging, the Ponderosa Players enlisted former University of Oregon cheerleading coach Kasey Holwerda to teach lifts that create the illusion of flight. The result? A visually stunning spectacle that pushes the boundaries of youth theater.

Staged in the round, where actors perform in the center and the audience surrounds the stage, this production fully immerses theater-goers. Previous performances put Ponderosa Players at the center of local activism with a unique storytelling approach designed for the broader public, allowing everyone to endorse it genuinely.

Since its founding in 2023 by Grey Conant and Kisky Holwerda, the Ponderosa Players have prioritized fostering community, creativity, and professionalism. Their core values – Positivity, Perseverance, Preparation, and Pals – guide every class and production. Students of all experience levels can train year-round in classes, while audition-only productions offered by Ponderosa, Ponderosa become a leader in performing arts and open new opportunities to students.

Ponderosa Players employ a full creative team—including a music director, choreographer, stage manager, costume designer, lighting designer, and set builder—to bring every production to life on stage. “Each show is a massive undertaking because of the standard set by Ponderosa Players,” according to Holwerda. “We give our students an incredible experience and our audiences a phenomenal show.”

In conclusion, Ponderosa Players’ rendition of Ride the Cyclone brings a new energy and ambition to the community, encouraging young minds to explore the fascinating world of theater. Their mission is to offer students of all levels an opportunity to unlock their true potential as they eliminate stress, attain new personal goals, foster team spirit, and develop a lifelong love for performing Arts.

Ride the Cyclone February 19-22, 2024, Open Space Event Studios, Bend, OR.