Cyclone And The Pig-Faced Lady

Initially, we don’t know why this NYMF musical asks us to watch not only a comic book serial (about a mysterious super woman who protects the just-built Cyclone roller coaster at Coney Island) but also the modern-day cartoonist creating it. The conceit does pay off, giving the show a surprisingly serious theme and some depth, but the emotional impact is lessened because the events in the modern day scenes haven’t been suitably dramatized to echo into the scenes from the comic book. The (fixable) flaws in the material are especially frustrating because there are many strong elements (including an accomplished score with some hypnotic ensemble numbers) waiting to come together here for a unique musical. Nonetheless, as is it’s still one of the most memorable entries at this year’s festival. Paul Niebanck and David Garry are cast stand-outs.