The musical was created and directed by Tony Award winner Richard Maltby, Jr. and conceived by William Meade. Ring of Fire officially opened on March 12. As of April 30, Ring of Fire will have played 37 preview and 57 regular performances at the Barrymore.
No announcement about a future for the populist show has been announced, but family-friendly Ring of Fire would seem to be a natural booking for Nashville, Branson, MO, or cities across the U.S., where audiences might embrace its down-home exploration of family ties and romantic pursuits.
The show — in front of a massive screen with animation that sets the scene — is a bookless revue, with three couples of different age as the glue holding the experience together. Musicians freely interact with actors.
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"From the heart of the songs of Johnny Cash comes a show about love and faith, struggle and success, rowdiness and redemption," according to the producers. "A company of 14 multi-talented performers takes you into the world Johnny Cash created in his songs." The musical, which has the feel of conceptual musical revue, features 38 of Cash's songs, including "Country Boy," "A Thing Called Love," "Five Feet High and Rising," "Daddy Sang Bass," "Ring of Fire," "I Walk the Line," "I've Been Everywhere," "The Man in Black," and his final hit, "Hurt."
The cast includes Jeb Brown, Jason Edwards, Tony Award winner Jarrod Emick, Beth Malone, Cass Morgan, two-time Grammy Award winner Lari White, David M. Lutken, Randy Redd, Eric Anthony, Laurie Canaan, Dan Immel, Ron Krasinski, Jeff Lisenby and Brent Moyer.
The design team includes Neil Patel (scenic production designer), David C. Woolard (costume design), Ken Billington (lighting design), Peter Fitzgerald & Carl Casella (sound design) and Michael Clark (projection design).
Tickets are available for purchase online at Telecharge.com or by phone at (212) 239-6200; outside metro New York (800) 432-7250 or at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre box office (243 West 47th Street). Additional ticket information can be found at www.ringoffirethemusical.com.
Ring of Fire is presented by William Meade, CTM Productions, GFour Productions, Robert Cuillo and James B. Freydberg who also serves as executive producer.
