I’ve been a little bit obsessed with the new musical Ride, imported to San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre from an award-winning hit run in the UK. It’s a 90 minute show with no intermission, performed by two actresses on a surprisingly creative and dynamic set. We were on the edge of our seats the entire time.
Ride tells the story of a 19th century woman, Annie “Londonderry” Cohen (played brilliantly by Alex Finke), who made headlines by riding a bicycle around the world, over a wager.
The wager, she claimed, required her to make the circuit of the Earth in 15 months and to earn the enormous sum of $5,000 en route **
This is during a time of “The New Woman”, riding bicycles was seen much more as a men’s activity but was gaining popularity among women. She was an influencer!
I was impressed by the original score by up-and-coming British writer/composer team Freya Catrin Smith and Jack Williams (there is a UK cast album). Other than one traditional Yiddish lullaby, most of the score is upbeat and poppy. The title song, which is sung early in the show, instantly won me over.
We wonder if the show will eventually make it to Broadway, as many Old Globe shows have. The story is from over a century ago, but some of the themes about empowerment and breaking down stereotypes feel very relevant today.
Ride played at the Old Globe Theatre until March 30 – April 28 2024. If you missed it, there’s a filmed version (from the original UK cast) available on multiple on-demand streaming services.
https://www.theoldglobe.org/ride
** https://oldglobe.ihub.app/posts/152227/the-bicycle-and-the-new-woman