Ring of Fire: The Johnny Cash Musical Show is a well-produced, well-sung depiction of country life through song. It's a good Country Music concert performed by first-rate Broadway singers who all have the range, emotion and proper twang for their roles. It's not a biography, and without a story through-line, its duration, like any concert, is arbitrary. Some songs, either written by or performed by Cash during his career, have drama; some, like Shel Silverstein's "Boy Named Sue," are humorous; some of them jump, like "May The Circle Be Unbroken," (though that one seems to be more fun to do than to watch). Many define Cash. Three men seem to portray Cash as they sing his signature songs like "Man in Black" and "I Walk the Line," but there is no one actor to identify with, just the songs.
There are some great opportunities for actual dance numbers, and a choreographer is listed, but why no dance? The strongest part of the show (besides the fine voices and the songs themselves) is the design by Neil Patel, with projections by Michael Clark, which segue from scene to scene with the most eye-catching visuals of the musical. Creator/Director Richard Maltby, Jr. has given us an entertaining retrospective evening of Cash's work, especially gratifying for those who love him.
