In-the-know patrons of Chicagoland musical theater would pay good money to hear Jeff Award-winnerCory Goodrich sing the alphabet.
Through March 30, they should do just that as she lends her formidable vocal and instrumental talents to an A to Z hootenanny of Johnny Cash hits in Theatre at the Center’s staging of the jukebox musical “Ring of Fire—The Music of Johnny Cash.”
Goodrich’s fans might accurately argue that DirectorBrian Russell needed two Johnnys just to keep up with his talented leading lady. But that’s not completely fair to Kent Lewis’ portrayal of Cash as on-stage autobiographer or to “Young Johnny,”Michael Monroe Goodman. Both of these men more than holds his own to form, with Goodrich, a power-packed trio that honors the music of this country icon and Grand Ole Opry alumnus.
Indeed, every member of this talented ensemble, led by Musical Director Malcolm Ruhl, plays multiple instruments while deftly moving the audience through 32 superbly-paced Cash songs spanning his multiple genres of country, folk, gospel, rock and blues. Greg Hirte, Billy Shaffer andWilliam Underwood make up the rest of the band so talented Carrie Underwood would be proud to sing with them.
Musical highlights abound. One of the very best features near flawless harmonies by Goodrich and Lewis in a mashup of “In the Sweet Bye and Bye” and “Will the Circle be Unbroken.” But it’s hard to choose when there’s truly not a dud in the bunch.
Overall, this production is an amazing amalgamation of playful tunes like “While I’ve Got it on My Mind,” “Daddy Sang Bass,” “Flushed from the Bathroom of Your Heart” and “I’ve Been Everywhere” with Cash standards “If I Were a Carpenter,” Going to Memphis,” “Walk the Line” and the title song, among others. This is a Johnny Cash concert of highest quality.
If there’s a caveat among the accolades, it’s a mild “be aware of,” not a major caution or admonition. Prospective patrons should know “Ring of Fire” is really more tribute band than musical theater.
Yes, creator Richard Maltby, Jr., whose hits include Tony winners “Baby” and “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” threads together some short dramatic vignettes to connect Cash’s life to the production’s musical numbers. But these signposts really only serve as secondary visual backdrop, albeit necessary, to the fine music. And while there are moments when the two Johnnys are staged effectively, more often than not that convention is downright confusing.
So those desiring a dramatic representation of Cash’s life should treat themselves to a night on the couch watching Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon in 2005’s “Walk the Line.” But to take in a first-rate tribute to the Man in Black’s music, get off the couch and make way to Theatre at the Center, where the trio of Goodrich, Lewis and Goodman simply burns, burns, burns.
Performances for “Ring of Fire—The Music of Johnny Cash” at Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Ind. (just more than an hour from any North Shore suburb), are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 2 p.m.; Sundays at 2:30 p.m.; and Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., through March 30. Tickets range from $40 to $44 with discounts available for groups of 11 or more. Tickets are available by calling the box office at 219-836-3255. Additional information is available here.
Barry Reszel is a Libertyville-based writer, at-home dad and executive director of the not-for-profit entertainment company Liberty Town Productions.
