Mc Coy Rigby Entertainment & Fox Operator Bill Malone of FX Arts have announced the third in its brand new “Broadway Series” of shows, with the songs of one of the most iconic figures in the history of music, RING OF FIRE: THE MUSIC OF Johnny Cash, with musical direction by Jeff Lisenby, choreography by Jane Lanier and directed by and starring from the original New York production, Jason Edwards. RING OF FIRE will open on Friday, February 17, 2012 and perform for three performances only through Saturday, February 18, 2012 at the Fox Riverside Performing Arts Center, 3801 Mission Inn Avenue in Riverside.
RING OF FIRE: THE MUSIC OF Johnny Cash uses the music of the man to bring to life the joys and sorrows of this music legend. Says Jason Edwards, the show’s director and star, “RING OF FIRE is the only theatrical show Mr. Cash ever gave his approval for and endorsed. The show’s concept was never to have someone impersonate Mr. Cash, but to get underneath his image and present what he was trying to say in his lyrics. And to select performers who in some way might convey the essence of his southern style and roots.”
RING OF FIRE: THE MUSIC OF Johnny Cash boasts a cast of ten performers and musicians, all nationally recognized for their work. Joining Edwards onstage is Kelli Provart, longtime Southern California theatre mainstay and recent Ovation Award nominee; Broadway veteran Troy Burgess; and recording artist Trenna Barnes. They join a gathering of musicians with generations of experience in the theatre, concert, and recording worlds. Together they weave a musical portrait of Johnny Cash, culminating in a concert that will both move and exhilarate.
ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM
Jason Edwards (Director/Actor) starred On Broadway in Ring of Fire, The Music of Johnny Cash at the Barrymore Theatre, and is featured on the original cast recording. Subsequently, he has directed Ring of Fire at the La Mirada Theatre (SoCal premiere), FCLO Music Theatre, The California Center for the Arts, and most recently for Arkansas Repertory Theatre. His directorial credits across the United States include Actors' Theatre of Louisville, Chicago's Marriott Theatre, Virginia Stage Company, Maine State Music Theatre, Clarence Brown Theatre, Jupiter Theatre, among others. Off-Broadway he was in the original cast of Johnny Guitar (Century Center), Of Mice and Men (Mint Theatre), Honky Tonk Angel (Lambs Theatre). National Tours include Pump Boys and Dinettes (Director), Man of La Mancha (with John Raitt), The Will Rogers Follies (understudy for Larry Gatlin in the title role). Regionally he has played leading roles at Denver Center Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse, Actors' Theatre of Louisville, Buffalo Studio Arena, Arizona Theatre Company, Merrimack Repertory Theatre, Barter Theatre.
Jason has been featured on the TODAY Show on NBC, The Nashville Network, and Country Music Television (with Ricky Skaggs). As a young boy growing up in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains, he first saw Johnny Cash and June Carter live in 1969 at the Charlotte Coliseum.
Jane Lanier (Choreographer/Assistant Director) has just finished directing Bad Dog by Jennifer Hoppe-House, starring Jennie Garth, Anne Ramsay, Robert Foxworth and Valerie Harper at The Blank Theatre, and Stoned Soul Picnic: The Music of Laura Nero at The Barre.
