Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash

The musical revue Ring of Fire may have played Broadway, but Richard Maltby Jr.’s take on the life of American singer-songwriter Johnny Cash now sounds more like the Grand Ole Opry. At least that was the case as a pared-down version of Ringdebuted at the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre.

The show, which takes its name taken from a hit by Johnny Cash, unfolds chronologically. It starts in the cotton fields of Arkansas, where Cash grew up, and takes listeners to places as varied as Folsom Prison, the famous Sun Records and, of course, the Grand Ole Opry. In small tidbits of information inserted between songs, viewers learn that Cash was no stranger to hard work, hard living, hard times, and addiction. He even served a stint in prison.

The current musical revue is adapted from the 2006 Broadway show that played in the Ethel Barrymore Theater. The show originally had a cast of 14. The Broadway version closed after a brief 57 performances. Undaunted, Leonard Maltby, Jr. rescaled Ring in size and scope. It now has a cast of five.

The cast may be smaller, but judging from an opening night performance, it certainly brings a wallop of musical talent to the intimate Stackner Cabaret. In fact, the Stackner’s rustic interior (the theater was formerly an electrical plant) seems perfectly suited to the country flair found in Ring of Fire.

Johnny Cash may have been a man of few words, and that describes the show as well. Much of Cash’s life – including his first marriage, his skirt-chasing behavior and his rise to mega-stardom – isn’t mentioned at all. Instead, the audience is treated to a heart-thumping, foot-stomping revue that includes 30 songs. The five cast members are onstage for most of the show. Occasionally, a cast member strolls out alone to sing a solo. One might think that five people on the small stage would be an achievement, but the set designer compensates by keeping sets and props to a minimum. It seems to work fine this way.

Of the four men in the cast, one stands in for young Cash (although he looks much more like a young Elvis than the man in black). He alternates with another cast member who plays older Cash. The four men aren’t exactly pegged into strict roles. They all sing and play music; together, they make an impressive musical ensemble. Often, their solos (especially the bass solos) draw applause mid-way through a song. The musicians are a tight, impressive group. They include: Eddie Clendening (younger Cash), Jason Edwards (older Cash), David Miles Keenen and Mark W. Winchester (bass player).

Although she’s outnumbered four-to-one, Treena Barnes holds her own as she portrays the many women in Cash’s life. In fact, during the show’s first half, she practically steals the spotlight from Cash himself. Her strong vocals carry a wisp of country flair without overdoing it. Barnes’ wardrobe changes a half-dozen times throughout the show, providing a bit of variety to compensate for the minimal set design. All of the outfits are beautifully designed to show off her curvy figure.

The show’s 30 songs include all of Cash’s big hits, including “I Walk the Line,” “Folsom Prison Blues” and “Ring of Fire.” Unlike the Broadway show, this version now closes with the humorous tune, “A Boy Named Sue.”

Theater patrons won’t learn a lot about Cash’s back story during this show. According to the show’s creators, the music itself is supposed to tell the tale. This reviewer isn’t sure that it does. But for country music fans, Ring of Fire provides plenty of fine moments to enjoy during the show and to remember long after. It’s an audience-pleasing medley of music, ranging from basically unknown material to familiar songs that practically beg the audience to join in.