Buffalo Rising Online

Sep 22nd 2005, 3:32pm By queenseyes

This is your big chance to catch this amazing show in Buffalo before it heads off to Broadway. Ring of Fire tells the story of ordinary people living out extraordinary lives in the heartland. Bringing to life the tales made famous in Mr. Cash's songs, this is the story of America - people living hard but dignified lives, and their discovery of what really matters. Ring of Fire features such songs as Five Feet High and Rising, Can the Circle be Unbroken (Bye and Bye), I walk the Line, and Folsom Prison Blues. The show has lived up to expectations of fans of the legendary singer/musician. It has also introduced many people to Johnny's music that had not really been famliar with it in the past. The man led an amazing life and this is a show that speaks wonders as to his musical and song writing abilities.

I just came home from seeing the final dress rehearsal of Ring of Fire. Wow. What a great production. The technological elements were amazing. I've never seen a set like this one! I won't say more because I don't want to spoil it for you. I think the show would have worked without the super-high-tech treatment, though, because the performances were so strong. It was amazing to see so many quadruple threats: every actor played a few instruments (or at least appeared to!) and every pit musician was also staged in many sung/acted/danced numbers. The versatility of the cast (that includes the band) was impressive. Richard Maltby, Jr's conception and staging were excellent; there were only a few (literally, three) very brief spots where I felt the show unintentionally lost some momentum. I've not listened to a lot of Johnny Cash, although of course I am familiar with his persona (cultural literacy, I guess). But I really liked the way the songs were sequenced and often integrated. I enjoyed being exposed to a whole new collection of songs in a genre that I have not really explored (I enjoyed the movies "Oh Brother Where Art Thou" and "A Mighty Wind" for the same reason). The superb performances (vocal and instrumental) of this material has made has made a Johnny Cash fan of me already! It is possible that the production will go through some tweaking between the Buffalo and New York run, but I am really glad we got to see it here first! Do not miss this opportunity to see this terrific new show. nPatron Comment

Show runs thriugh October 9th. Tickets range from $25 to $53. Studio Arena - 710 Main Street, Buffalo. 1800-77stage.