By: Cathryn Macey
Johnny Cash had a moral dilemma on his hands the minute he met country singer June Carter. Should he walk the line and stay committed to his wife or step into a “Ring of Fire” and act on the magnetic pull he felt towards June?
In this brand-new musical from the director of Jersey Boys, we’re treated to a fresh look at one of the most famous marriages in musical history.
And who better to tell the tale of Johnny and June than their son, Johnny Carter Cash? Ryan O’Donnell narrates the entire musical. He sings about Johnny and June’s inspirational story in ballad form whilst strumming his guitar and offering up important nuggets of information about the complicated lives of his mum and dad.
O’Donnell is popular with the audience and his appearances playing live alongside Johnny and June are incredibly powerful.
Mimicking Johnny’s meteoric rise to fame, the first act runs at breakneck speed. With a nod to the Western films that influenced parts of Cash’s early music, its set is reminiscent of an old fashioned, rickety barn. Using a simple set with minimal scenery means we cut to the action quickly and the production’s pace is consistently fast.
Locations which Johnny and June lived in or performed at are projected onto a beam at the top of the stage and we quickly get a feel for the chaotic lifestyles both musicians lead. It’s like they’re leap frogging across the USA one Holiday Inn at a time!
Particularly enjoyable is the way the audience are made to feel like the pairs’ original audience members; we literally become the American crowds both performers wow during their long stints of touring. Initially perhaps a bit weary to join in, by Act 2 all audience members sing and cheer Johnny and June along.
Adding to the joyful and inclusive atmosphere of the show are the multi-talented ensemble cast themselves. Alongside the live band, they bring warmth and a dynamic energy to the production. Cast members such as Christopher Short, Chomba S. Taulo and Anne- Marie Wojna are continually impressive as performers willing and able to switch between a whole host of challenging roles. From band members to backing dancers and even to prison guards, they switch gracefully from one performance to the next……often with a guitar in hand!
The live band do not stop playing, even during serious monologues like Vivian’s (Anne-Marie Wojna, Johnny Cash’s first wife) which she performs to the subtle musical backing of a church organ. Far from being distracting, the gentle use of music during dialogue driven scenes creates another layer of emotional intensity.
Ultimately, it is Johnny (Christopher Ryan Grant) and June (Christina Bianco) that steal the show. Both performers are incredibly impressive. Ryan Grant captures Johnny Cash’s softer off-stage persona beautifully. His southern drawl bubbles along in an alluring manner when talking to June in Act one. Equally he presents the darker side of addiction that threatens to derail Cash’s career in Act two. Squirming uncomfortably under the bright lights, he contorts his body to show the pain he feels as his inner demons begin to suffocate him.
For roles this big, you need the singing voices to match. Both Grant and Bianco’s voices live up to the voices of the legends they represent. Bianco, particularly in Act one, sings with such an emotional force that you almost feel the audience collectively sigh at its brilliance. Bianco’s performance often also leans on comedy, especially in Act one when she tries to sing about the many tangled roots of her family tree. This comedic aspect to her performance is a foil for the darker moments in Act two.
Overall, The Johnny Cash Musical is a life affirming and magical story. It has clearly been made with a lot of love and affection for Johnny and June and is a must see for any fans of popular music.