Ever since I was six years old, I knew I wasn't long for this world. Unlike the other kids, I was always in a place to face that realm called outer space. Thank you, Lady Marzipan. Thank you, Dame Judi Dench. It appears your loyal service is no longer necessary in this stratosphere. Game on.
-Ricky's catchphrase from 2016 productions
Ricky Potts is one of the six main characters in Ride The Cyclone. He is described as "the most imaginative boy in town" and has created his own universe, where he is the hero of the planet Zolar, also called Cattaris in some productions.
History
Pre-2023
"Favorite ride: the Gravitron. Born with a rare degenerative disease, when Richard lost his power of speech, the Potts family took a vow of silence; usually communicating in a series of strange gestures that only they understood. The only time they interacted with one another was when they read comics, or fed the cats... they had fourteen cats. From the time he was six years old and his knees began to buckle, Ricky was treated to the most appalling cruelty humanity can muster, complete indifference. Far from growing bitter, Ricky developed an elaborate playground in his synapses, where became his own best friend."
Post 2023
"Favorite ride, the Gravitron. Born of a semi-renowned Pentecostal pastor, Richard, at a young age, toured the province with his father, spreading the good news: speaking in tongues, and the handling of their saw-scaled viper snake, JoJo. The bad news was, after witnessing JoJo give his father a lethal bit during a rousing sermon, Richard, thoroughly traumatized, lost his power of speech. Moving in with his grandparents who were collectively 180 years old, his life consisted of feeding their 19 cats and reading the comics he got for his birthday. Richard’s grandparents, well meaning, but dotty with age, celebrated his eighth birthday every two weeks until he was seventeen. Patronized, pushed around, condescended to in high school. Far from growing bitter, Richard developed an elaborate playground in his synapses where he became his own best friend. Richard Potts, the most imaginative boy in town."
Plot
Musical Numbers
- Tragic Fact
- Fall Fair Suite
- Uranium Suite
- Waiting For the Drop
- This Song is Awesome
- Space Age Bachelor Man
- The New Birthday Song
- Its Not a Game/Its Just a Ride
- Be Safe, Be Good (For Rachel)
Costumes
- Ricky's school uniform is a red sleeveless jumper over a white shirt with long sleeves. He also starts with some form of mobility aid at the beginning of the show.
- In "Space Age Bachelor Man", Ricky undergoes a major costume change. He runs onto stage wearing a purple wig with cat ears, along with a skin-tight bodysuit and a fake pair of abs. (2016)
- In "The Ballad of Jane Doe", Ricky wears a black hat and a black trench coat.
Trivia
- Ricky's character and disability has gone through changes, many of which were very controversial. (See Controversies)
- The first disabled actor to play Ricky, Yannick-Robin Eike Mirko, was fired due to a medical emergency. (See Controversies)
- Ricky enjoys Star Trek, as is made clear by him doing the Vulcan salute.
- He named his mobility aids Lady Marzipan and Dame Judi Dench.
Gallery
