Johnny Cash musical coming to Escondido
Fans of the late Johnny Cash might have gotten a glimpse of the man in the Oscar-winning biography “I Walk the Line,” but the producer of a stage show coming to Escondido said this show has a different take — it lets the classic songs do the talking.
“Ring of Fire: The Johnny Cash Musical” will be staged four times Aug. 6-8 at the California Center for the Performing Arts in Escondido.
It is presented by the Fullerton Civic Light Opera, which has staged several shows at the venue, most recently a production of “Brigadoon.”
The show, which had a brief Broadway run in 2006, promises a revue featuring many of the songs written for and made popular by Cash, including “Ring of Fire,” “I Walk the Line,” “A Boy Named Sue,” and “Folsom Prison Blues.”
Producer Griff Duncan said in a phone interview that the production features six actors and Nashville musicians who played on Broadway, including Jason Edwards, one of the stars.
There’s two people who sing Cash’s songs, one younger and another older, and two actresses who sing the parts that were sung by his wife, June Carter Cash.
And while you do learn some things about “The Man in Black,” from the lyrics of the songs and some narration, this isn’t a biographical sketch of the performer.
“This isn’t an attempt, like in the movie, to see how closely they can copy Johnny Cash himself,” Duncan said, adding that members of the band also sing some of the songs.
The show was created by Richard Maltby Jr. and was conceived by William Meade. It is orchestrated by Steven Bishop and Jeff Lisenby (who is in the show as part of the band).
Also part of the production is fiddler Brantley Kearns, who is best known for the years he spent supporting Dwight Yoakam.
“People who like country music are really going to enjoy this show,” said Duncan, adding that the show features more songs than the average musical. Cash, he added, knew the show was being created and authorized it.
“If people like the music of Johnny Cash, it doesn’t get any better than this,” he said.
The show will play at 8 p.m. on Aug. 6-8 and there will be matinees at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday (Aug. 7 and 8).
Tickets range from $40 to $65. For more information, go to www.artcenter.org or call 1-800-988-4253. The center is at 340 N. Escondido Blvd.
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Posted by unestidstwern
on Jul 29 2010. Filed under Archive.
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