Federal Way’s Centerstage presents ‘Ring of Fire’

Published 10:08 am Wednesday, January 13, 2016

From the iconic songbook of Johnny Cash comes Centerstage Theatre’s unique musical “Ring of Fire” about love and faith, struggle and success and home and family. More than two dozen classic hits — including I Walk The Line, A Boy Named Sue, Folsom Prison Blues and the title tune — paint a musical portrait of The Man in Black, a salute to a uniquely American legend.

Though he is never impersonated, Cash’s remarkable life story is told through his music.

Richard Maltby, creator of the stage version of “Ring of Fire,” wrote: “When I was first asked to put together a theatrical show out of the music of Johnny Cash, several things became immediately clear. First, we shouldn’t attempt to put Johnny Cash himself on stage. The persona, the voice, are not duplicable and the very best we could achieve would be a poor imitation. Second, as fascinating as Johnny Cash’s life was, it seemed to me that dramatizing it on stage would not enhance it. A film could do that, perhaps, but not a stage show.

“To me, Johnny Cash’s biography wasn’t the most important story available to tell. Taking all the songs together, adding in the life he led, the person he was, the people he knew, loved, and sang about, it seemed to me that there was another story here. It’s almost a mythic American tale —of growing up in simple, dirt-poor surroundings in the heartland of America, leaving home, traveling on wings of music, finding love, misadventure, success, faith, redemption, and the love of a good woman — and eventually returning home. It’s about the journey of a man in search of his own soul. That seemed to be a worthy story to put on a stage — and the best part is we could tell it entirely through the songs.”

Cayman Ilika and Jared Michael Brown are two of Seattle’s most exciting young musical theatre talents. Ilika appeared at Centerstage and at ACT Theatre as Patsy Cline in “Always…Patsy Cline.” She has been nominated for two 2015 Broadway World Awards (Local) as “Best Leading Actress in a Musical” – one for her performance in the title role of Mary Poppins at the Village Theatre and one for her role in Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris with ACT and 5th Avenue Theatre. Brown was awarded “Critic’s Choice for Person to Watch” in Seattle’s Broadwayworld.com’s Awards. He has appeared “Oklahoma!”, “Cinderella,” “Saving Aimee” and “A Christmas Story” at the 5th Avenue Theatre. Brown previously appeared at Centerstage in “I Love You Because,” directed by Brandon Ivie.

“Ring of Fire” is directed and choreographed by Amy Johnson. Johnson has choreographed several shows at Centerstage including “For All That” and “Jack and the Beanstalk.” Her choreography has been presented by Velocity Dance Center, Seattle International Dance Festival, On the Boards, the Seattle Center’s Next 50 Project, GreenStage and Cornish College of the Arts.

Set design is by Richard Lorig and costumes are by Rachel Wilkie. Music direction is by Jeff Bell and lighting design is by Meg Fox. The cast also features Tom Stewart, Jack Dearth, Zack Summers and Sean Tomerlin who act, sing and play in the band.

All shows are at the Knutzen Family Theatre Jan. 23 through April 14. Tickets are $35 for adults; $30 for seniors and military; $15 for anyone under 25 years of age. Tickets may be purchased at 253-661-1444 and at www.centerstagetheatre.com. Performance dates and times can also be found at www.centerstagetheatre.com.