The spirit of the late, great Johnny Cash will be on stage beginning at 2 p.m. July 1 as "Ring of Fire: The Johnny Cash Musical" will be presented through Aug. 5 at Frost Fire Theatre seven miles west of Walhalla, N.D.
Afternoon shows will be at 2 p.m. July 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25 and 29, and Aug. 1 and 5. Evening shows will start at 6 p.m. July 7, 14, 21 and 28 and Aug. 4. For ticket information, call (701) 549-3600 or go to frostfiretheatre.com/.
The musical was chosen based on the success Frost Fire has had with similar "jukebox musicals" such as "All Shook Up" (2010), based on the music of Elvis Presley, and "Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story" in 2007, a news release said.
"Ring of Fire" is a biographical musical portrait of Cash, one America's most brilliant singer songwriters. It is written in such a way that no one performer plays Johnny Cash, explained David Paukert of Michigan, N.D., who along with his wife, Amy Jo Paukert, is directing "Ring of Fire."
"In Fact, at the beginning of the show all the performers give the familiar greeting, 'Hello, I'm Johnny Cash,'" David Paukert said. "The songs in the show are divided among the performers with the principal men taking turns assuming the persona of Johnny Cash and the principal women portray the various women in his life, such as Cash's mother and June Carter, Cash's second wife."
ADVERTISEMENT
"Ring of Fire" features 36 of Cash's best-known songs: "Ring of Fire," "Daddy Sang Bass," "A Boy Named Sue," "Country Boy," "Folsom Prison Blues" and "I Walk the Line," among others. Ninety percent of the show is music, with just enough dialogue to set the background of his life.
"Anyone that has been a Johnny Cash fan will know the score right away," David Paukert said. "The music helps chronicle his life."
David Paukert and Amy Paukert have returned for their 23rd season with the theater and their 19th season as directors.
"It is fun to be a part of a tradition of bringing quality theater to the region." David Paukert said.
The cast will feature Jeff Anvinson, Spencer Black, Brian Dempcy, Dylan Croeker, Alec Hepper, Mike Horgan, Darin Kerr, Caitlin Lien, Kelsey Misialek, Brock Moser, Justin Nelson, Jackie O'Neil, Amy Jo Paukert, Janie Sanner, Lynneah Thompson, Jordan Thornberg, Kjerstine Trooien and Marcus Woodard. Members of the cast also will play the music for the show.
Costumers are Mare Thompson and Lynn Leipold. Sets were constructed by Dick Johnson and Larry Johnson with scenic painting by Carol Clark. Candyce Iseminger is the sound technician and Joshua Johnson will be running the lights.
Frost Fire Theatre is a covered outdoor amphitheater set in the hills of the Pembina River Gorge six miles west of Walhalla, N.D. For more information on Frost Fire, go to www.frostfiretheatre.com/ .
If you go
ADVERTISEMENT
• What: "Ring of Fire: The Johnny Cash Musical"
• When: Opens 2 p.m. July 1. Additional 2 p.m. matinees: July 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, and 29, and Aug. 1 and 5. Evening shows: 6 p.m. July 7, 14, 21, 28 and Aug. 4
• Where: Frost Fire Theatre, an outdoor covered amphitheater seven miles west of Walhalla, N.D., on County Road 55
• Tickets: Adults, $26; children, $12; group savings for groups of 10 or more. Food service available before each performance. Info: (701) 549-3600; frostfiretheatre.com/
• Co-directors: David Paukert and Amy Jo Paukert
• Cast: Jeff Anvinson, Spencer Black, Brian Dempcy, Dylan Croeker, Alec Hepper, Mike Horgan, Darin Kerr, Caitlin Lien, Kelsey Misialek, Brock Moser, Justin Nelson, Jackie O'Neil, Amy Jo Paukert, Janie Sanner, Lynneah Thompson, Jordan Thornberg, Kjerstine Trooien, Marcus Woodard.
