Fans of Johnny Cash can walk the line to Farmers Alley Theatre and get rhythm as they see “Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash.”
The show hits many of the great songs in the career of Johnny Cash, as well as giving some background on Cash’s life. Cash’s biggest hits such as “Ring of Fire,” “I Walk The Line,” and “Folsom Prison Blues” are featured as well as other classics like “Hey Porter,” “Cry, Cry, Cry,” and “Big River.”
Directed by Sandra Bremer, “Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash” boasts an amazing lineup of talent from vocals to the band. The band consists of Marie Kerstetter on keyboard, Cori Somers of the Red Sea Pedestrians on fiddle and other stringed instruments, Matt Landon on guitar, Mark Tomlonson on upright bass and Andy Knibloe on percussion.
The show features Somers, Jim Cummings of the Jim Cummings Band, country singer Shelagh Brown, Julie Cook Brown, Chad Bradford and Ben Williams.
The musical and vocal talent is astounding. Each vocalist brings a different dynamic to the show.
Shelagh Brown in particular brings an absolutely gorgeous voice to the show. Her vocals on “I Still
Miss Someone” were astounding. In addition to the show, her album “Anywhere & Everywhere” is available during the entire run before its official release later in 2013.
The show brings both lighthearted comedic moments and somber, darker moments. One highlight is when Julie Cook Brown with musical accompaniment from Somers sings “Flushed From The Bathroom Of Your Heart.” The comedy doesn’t just come from the lyrics, as Julie Cook Brown’s vocal delivery in the song is pure comedic gold. In contrast, Cummings recitation of“Ragged Old Flag” brings forth a very touching patriotic moment, as does the cast’s rendition of “Man In Black.”
Bradford’s rendition of the classic “A Boy Named Sue,” written by poet Shel Silverstein, was excellent. Bradford was able to make the song his own. Bradford’s bass vocals in “Daddy Sang Bass” showed an excellent range and combined extroadinarily well with Julie Cook Brown’s tenor vocals. Williams’ great comedy moment came with “Delia’s Gone.” Willaims has a great dance routine that goes perfectly with the song.
The cast weren’t the only ones to sing. In the middle of the first act, the bandplayed and sang “Egg Suckin’ Dog” without the main vocalists, continuing the comedy aspect in the show.
From the opening of “Country Boy” to the closing of “I’ve Been Everywhere,” everyone who has been touched by Cash’s music is sure to have a good time, from diehard fans to casual fans. “Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash” is a great way to remember the music of the legendary “Man In Black” 10 years after his death.
Tickets for “Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash” at Farmers Alley Theatre are available for Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. and Oct. 2, 10, 11, and 12 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $31 (except Oct. 11 and 12 which are $33) and are available online athttp://www.farmersalleytheatre.com/current-season/ring-of-fire-sep or by phone at 269-343-2727.
