RIDE

Associate Illusion Designer

Book, Music, and Lyrics by Freya Catrin Smith and Jack Williams

Directed by Sarah Meadows

The Old Globe Theatre, 2024- U.S. Premiere

The extraordinary story of the first woman to cycle around the world.

It’s 1894 and as the bicycle is sweeping change across America, Annie Londonderry finds herself with a wager to settle: can a woman cycle across the world? With only 15 months to make the trek across four continents, she quickly finds herself involved in more than she bargained for. From moneymaking masquerades as a Harvard professor to hunting tigers with German royalty, Annie spins the media into a frenzy with tales of her thrilling escapades. But with time running out and press coverage spiralling, she soon discovers that no matter how far she rides, the secrets of her past will always catch up with her. Join Annie on the journey of a lifetime in the smash hit musical about adventure, determination, and rewriting your narrative.

Ryan was the US Associate Illusion Designer working with UK designer John Bulleid. This new musical production of Ride incorporated stage magic to tell the enchanting tale of Annie Londonderry’s trip around the world. Ryan was hands on in the rehearsal room, teaching the two actors sleight of hand with cards, coins, and croissants! He collaborated with the props department to oversee construction and sourcing of original magic apparatus and gimmicks including a dancing skeleton, appearing tower of croissants, pyro technic devices, and turning water into wine. Objects materialized at their fingertips from video projections. The illusion design greatly enhanced the visual spectacle of this larger than life adventure.

Reviews:

“Much of the show’s bubbly and endearing humor is how Meadows cleverly uses stage magic to re-create locales around the world from pieces of office furniture with hidden surprises.” - San Diego Union Tribune

“Aided by both sleight of hand and other stage illusions, Annie’s exuberance as played by Finke and the intriguing historical context of the story make for a satisfying evening.”- Entertainment Today

“For the musical’s U.S. debut, “Ride’s” creative team is set on presenting a spectacle — whimsical bicycle sequences, intricate harmonies, lush orchestrations, fantastical location changes — alongside the piece’s intimacy.”- LA Times