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Two versions of Johnny Cash performing at the Rep in St. Louis
“Ring of Fire” at The Rep is a
Tribute to the Life of Johnny Cash
by Pat Lindsey
The Rep is concluding its 59th season with “Ring of Fire,” a show for those who love the music of Johnny Cash. The intimate stage of The Rep is ideal for this close up and personal look at Johnny Cash’s life and the country and gospel music that propelled him to the stage of the Grand Ole Opry.
This production, directed by Kate Bergstrom, The Rep’s Augustin Family Artistic Director, will appeal to audiences of all ages. A small multi-talented cast of actors sing, dance and play the instruments that accompany the songs. Kurt Zischke, who plays the older Johnny Cash, is the narrator. Dialogue is limited because the songs tell most of the story.
The story begins in an Arkansas cotton field with an old shack of a house in the background. The Cash family is excited to have the good fortunate to get a home with land that they could farm and call their own. Their good fortunate was cut short, however, when the heavy rains and floods destroyed their crop and future livelihood. That’s when Johnny wrote “Five Feet High and Rising.”
Throughout his song-writing career, Johnny Cash was inspired by the good, bad, and ugly circumstances of his life. Andrew Frace, who portrays the younger Johnny Cash (J. R.), gives a believable performance singing those early songs and auditioning for Sam Phillips at Sun Records. Phillips encouraged him to move away from gospel music and find his own sound that would appeal to a larger audience. Both Frace and Zischke, the two Johnnys, keep The Rep audience engaged and entertained with more than 30 Johnny Cash songs. Their rich, deep voices make the audience forget that Johnny Cash isn’t really in the house. I wasn’t familiar with some of those songs, especially the ones with humorous titles such as, “Dirty Old Egg Sucking Dog” and “Flushed From the Bathroom of Your Heart,” but the lyrics made me laugh.
Johnny’s life and repertoire changed when he met June Carter at the Grand Ole Opry. Caitlin McKechney gives a wonderful, high-energy portrayal of June Carter when she sings and dances on stage with Cash. Cash’s hit, “Ring of Fire,” was written by June Carter and Marie Kilgore. “I Walk the Line,” “Man in Black,” “Jackson,” and “A Boy Named Sue” are among some of Cash’s greatest hits.
With fame came drugs that Johnny first took to stay awake during his rigorous entertainment days. Eventually, he popped pills for every possible reason. June Carter and Johnny Cash had such an intense love for each other that June had no choice but to stick with Johnny through his most difficult times. Those dark days put a more solemn tone on Act II, but the Cash/Carter wedding perked up the mood.
” Ring of Fire” was written for Broadway by Richard Maltby Jr. and its adaptation was conceived by William Meade. What resulted was a wonderful two-hour tribute to a music legend. Kudos to the actors who look and sound like Johnny Cash and June Carter. And kudos to the supporting actors/singers/dancers/musicians who bring this show to life. If Johnny Cash were alive today, he’d be popping his buttons with pride. The Rep should also be proud to bring its 59th outstanding season to a close with this fantastic musical production.
“Ring of Fire” will be performed at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis in Webster Groves now through April 12. For tickets, call the box office at 314-968-4925 Mon.-Fri., noon until 5 p.m. or go there in person Wed.-Fri. noon until 5 p.m. to reserve your seat. Tickets are also available at repstl.org.
