The Music of Johnny Cash

RING OF FIRE

DATES Aug. 3 - Aug. 29, 2021

RUN TIME estimated: 2 hours

PRICE $25-$75

PLAYWRIGHT RICHARD MALTBY, JR.

ADAPTED BY Conceived by WILLIAM MEADE

About the Play

This production takes place at Portland Stage • 25A Forest Ave • Portland, ME • Portland Stage is Air Conditioned.


From the songbook of Johnny Cash comes this unique musical about love and faith, struggle and success, rowdiness and redemption, and the healing power of 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 — performed by a multi-talented cast, paint a musical portrait of The Man in Black that promises to be a foot-stompin’, crowd-pleasin’ salute to a unique musical legend! Though he is never impersonated, Johnny Cash’s remarkable life story is told through his music, climaxing in a concert that will both move and exhilarate!

Created by RICHARD MALTBY, JR. | Conceived by WILLIAM MEADE
Orchestrations by Steven Bishop and Jeff Lisenby
Ring of Fire was originally produced on Broadway by William Meade, CTM Productions, Bob Cuillo, GFour Productions, and James B. Freydberg

In-Theater Pricing

  • Aug 3 – Aug 5 $44-$63
  • Aug 5 – Aug 29  $51-$70

Discounts Available

  • Seniors 65+ Available On-line, by Phone and In-Person
  • Groups of 10+ contact groupsales@portlandstage.org
  • StudentRush available day of show, In-person only.
  • Rush35 available day of show, In-person only.

Digital on Demand Pricing

Richard Maltby Jr. (creator) BROADWAY: Conceived and directed two Tony Award winning musicals: AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ (1978: Tony, N.Y. Drama Critics, Outer Critics, Drama Desk Awards — also Tony Award for Best Director); FOSSE (1999: Tony, Outer Critics, Drama Desk Awards); as well as RING OF FIRE, (2006). With composer David Shire: director/lyricist: BABY (1983, seven Tony nominations); lyricist: BIG (1996, Tony nomination: Best Score; also Dominium Theatre London 2019). With Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg, co-lyricist: MISS SAIGON (Evening Standard Award, London 1990; Tony nomination: Best Score, 1991); co-lyricist: THE PIRATE QUEEN (2007). Director: THE STORY OF MY LIFE (2009). Director/co-lyricist: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s SONG & DANCE (1986 Tony Award for star, Bernadette Peters.) OFF-BROADWAY: with David Shire: director/lyricist STARTING HERE, STARTING NOW (1977, Grammy nomination) and CLOSER THAN EVER, (1989, two Outer Critics Circle Awards: Best Musical, Best Score; also Off-Broadway Alliance Award, Best Musical Revival 2013; and London Jermyn Street Theatre 2014,). Director: JUST JIM DALE, (Roundabout Theatre 2014, Vaudeville Theatre, London 2015). REGIONAL: Lyricist/conceiver, TAKE FLIGHT (Menier Chocolate Factory, London 2010; McCarter Theatre 2012); book and lyrics, WATERFALL (2015, Pasadena Playhouse and Seattle’s Fifth Avenue Theatre); Lyricist, new musical SOUSATZKA (2017, Toronto). FILM: Screenplay, MISS POTTER, (2007: Christopher Award, best screenplay.). Contributes cryptic crossword puzzles to Harpers Magazine. Son of well-known orchestra leader; Five children: Nicholas, David, Jordan, Emily, and Charlotte

William Meade (Concept)

Actor Scott Moreau*

Actor Morgan Morse*

Actor Elizabeth Nestlerode*

Actor Katie Barton*

Actor Ben Hope*

[*member Actors' Equity Association]

[**member of United Scenic Artists]

Director Ben Hope

Associate Directors Katie Barton & Scott Moreau

Music Director Eric Anthony

Scenic Designer Anita Stewart**

Costume Designer Katie Barton

Lighting Designer Jamie Grant

Sound Designer Christopher Sutton

Stage Manager Myles C. Hatch*

Assistant Stage Manager Meg Lydon*

Ben Hope

Katie Barton

Scott Moreau

Elizabeth Nestlerode

Morgan Morse

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