REVIEW: Rich harmonies and driving rhythms fuel the Man in Black’s powerful concert tribute in Merrimack’s Repertory Theatre’s ‘Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash’
Lone static from an antique transistor radio symbolically rewind the clock to kick off this show and nothing but rich harmonies follow it.
Multi-instrumentalists Jenna Fawcett, Patrick Dinnsen, Nathan Yates Douglass, Andrew Frace and Celeste Vandermillen combine their marvelous music talents to deliver a Johnny Cash concert tribute that combines significant excerpts of Cash’s life, his activism, and his pearls of wisdom as a musician ahead of his time. No particular individual portrays Johnny Cash or other parts, but everyone offers their shared talents for an array of Cash’s dynamic and often storytelling hits including gospel, country and rock n roll that has made a legendary impact during his life and beyond.
Created by Richard Maltby, Jr. and conceived by William Meade, Merrimack Repertory Theatre presented concert tribute, Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash through December 14 at live and in person at Merrimack Repertory Theatre in Lowell, Massachusetts. The semi-interactive and occasionally sing-along production not limited to the stage ran approximately two hours including a 15 minute intermission. Click here for more information and for further details on Merrimack Repertory Theatre’s 47th season.
Bronze, old-fashioned theatre lighting and a wood-infused down home, dual level, country barn stage complete with rocking chair and an array of leather strapped hanging guitars from banjo and electric to acoustic faithfully depict Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry and Cash’s country upbringing by set designer Shelley Barish.
Make no mistake though, Ring of Fire does not limit itself to just guitar, but washboard, harmonica, train whistle and amazing twirling bassist Nathan Yates Douglass also bring a genuine flavor to this style of music. Subtle nuances such as duck tape spread on an acoustic guitar also lend to the show’s faithful authenticity.
Sound designer David Remedios and lighting designer Brian J. Lilienthal dramatically combine to create tension in pounding thunderstorms and ominous lighting during the darker times of Cash’s life from his poverty-stricken upbringing, the tragedies, the triumphs, and meeting the love of his life.
Shades of country and western-tinged gray, black, blue and red dominate Amanda Gladu‘s coordinating costumes enhance the tone of this production. What I really enjoyed about the concert was its ability to slip seamlessly into this particular era in music from the 30’s to the 50s and beyond. Plain faced and natural, each skilled musician has a charismatic and warm quality that highlights how learned they are about this time frame. It truly made me feel like we were all back in time captured in its down home simplicity.
With slicked back hair, Andrew Frace depicts a few of Cash’s fresh faced hits and Patrick Dinnsen lends his deep baritone to songs such as for the insightful Man in Black. A fiddle-laden and guitar-tinged moving acapella lullaby captures The Sweet By and By. This group can jam and richly harmonize for the autobiographical and catchy Five Feet High and Rising and hymn-infused Daddy Sang Bass. Sunday Morning Comin’ Down captures a darker and pivotal period in Cash’s life, but the production also has its lighthearted and silly moments in Celeste Vandermillen as young June Carter on ukulele and her hilarious antics onstage. Songs that showcases Cash’s sillier side and skilled storytelling such as Dirty Old Egg Sucking Dog and the famous A Boy Named Sue are a lot of fun.
Of course, this talented quintet share great chemistry and narrated Cash’s significant and uplifting moments including some of his greatest hits such as Cry, Cry Cry, Get A Rhythm, Big River, I Walk the Line, its title track and Jenna Fawcett’s June Carter when Cash and Carter unite in marriage. Fawcett’s Far Side Banks of Jordan in its deep and acapella rhythms stood as one of the production’s most impactful moments.
Co-directed and musically directed by Karen Oster and co-directed and choreographed by Correy West, Merrimack Repertory Theatre delivered a powerful tribute to the Man in Black which was as moving as it was upbeat and humorous to remember a man who transcends generations and beyond.
Merrimack Repertory Theatre presented concert tribute, Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash through December 14 at live and in person at Merrimack Repertory Theatre in Lowell, Massachusetts. Click here for more information and for further details on Merrimack Repertory’s 47th season.
