WESTON, Vt. – The Man in Black makes his return to the Weston theater this summer, kicking off the Weston Theater Company’s 90th season with an electrifying musical presentation of “Ring of Fire,” the story of the legendary Johnny Cash.
The production was first performed in Weston during the company’s return from the pandemic in 2021, outdoors, under a tent, to a limited audience.
“Returning to ‘Ring of Fire’ during Weston’s 90th season feels especially meaningful,” reflected Weston’s executive artistic director and the show’s director, Susanna Gellert, “because this musical reminds us exactly why live theater matters: gathering together, sharing stories, and feeling connected to one another through music. The show is raw, joyful, rebellious, and alive with extraordinary actor-musicians who bring their whole selves to the stage every night.”
The consistent excellence of Weston’s jukebox musical series continues to delight audiences, who return annually to experience high-energy performances from incredibly talented artists. Each performer sings, dances, and plays multiple musical instruments. Larry Tobias reprises the role of Johnny, which he previously performed in Weston’s 2021 production. Seth Eliser, portraying JR Cash, is also returning to the role he originally played in 2021. Eliser is also the show’s music director, has recently performed off-Broadway, and is currently appearing in the international tour of “The Phil Collins Story.”
Rounding out the cast of six is Angel Lin, Emily Mikesell, Tarif Pappu, and Allie Seibold. The versatile entertainers take on numerous roles, portraying Cash through the different stages of his life, his wife June Carter Cash, and a variety of other parts.
Told with a mix of humor and pathos, “Ring of Fire” explores the struggle, the passion, and the poetry of rebellious, tortured singer-songwriter Johnny Cash. The musical takes twists and turns, much as Cash’s life did. His story is one of humanity, persistence, and redemption, and how the power of faith, love, and music can save even the most troubled soul.
One enjoyable aspect of attending Weston’s jukebox musicals is that the performers interact with the audience and encourage everyone to sing along – and audiences do. They also clap, cheer, laugh, hoot, holler, and extend a well-earned standing ovation at the end of every show.
There are more than 30 of Cash’s songs in “Ring of Fire,” including the iconic “Folsom Prison Blues,” “I Walk the Line,” “Jackson,” and, a crowd favorite, “A Boy Named Sue.”
The behind-the-scenes team of choreographer Tuan Malinowski, costume designer Jessica Crawford, and Tony-nominated lighting and scenic designer Scott Zielinski collaborates to present a simple, intimate, and fresh design concept. The set has a rustic, stars-and-stripes-meets-barn-dance motif, with a wall of wooden pallets adorned with mounted guitars and fiddles in front of a backdrop of a deconstructed American flag.
The show runs 90 minutes with no intermission, and the run has been extended through July 11, with performances held at Walker Farm. Visit www.westontheater.org, or call the Weston box office for tickets and more information.
Gellert shared, “There’s something deeply communal about Johnny Cash’s story and his music. These songs hold memories of struggle, resilience, love, defiance, humor, and hope – all wrapped inside music that invites people to lean in and sing along together.”