A unique musical stage play, straight from the songbook of Johnny Cash is about to hit the stage at the Brindley Theater Mid-Delta Arts Association. Directors Alan Jones, Ted MacIntosh and Cathy Roberts are putting together Ring of Fire.
This tuneful expression of love and faith, struggle and success, rowdiness and redemption and the healing power of home and family takes center stage Oct. 17-20.
Inverness native Alan Jones is the musical director for the production and said one of the most rewarding aspects of the melodic showcase is getting to work with the wide demographic of performers, from the teenagers to those that are no longer in their teens. “It’s a good representation that everybody’s got a little Johnny Cash in them,” he said.
He said something magical happens when all of the different age groups come together and act as a team. Although Jones has been a musician for more than 30 years, it was being roped into playing lead in the Buddy Holly Story that piqued his interest and ignited his love for the theater.
This presentation will feature more than two dozen signature songs from the Man in Black, performed by what Jones called a multi-talented cast. He said some have never sang on stage or performed with a band before, so it provides him with a great deal of pleasure to be able to give them that experience.
Johnny Cash’s life story is told through his music and every member of this cast is said to embody Cash with their own personal style. From duets to sing-a-longs, Ring of Fire is touted as a true jukebox musical that draws the audience into the performance. Cast members are: Jessica Fulgham, John Nobile Bellipanni, Ted MacIntosh, Freda MacIntosh, Joe Forrester, J.T. Hurst, Alan Jones, Rhonda Drummond, Hannah Randall, Kaitlyn Warren, Taylor Buchanan, Lee Makamson, Nichole Henry, Jessica Roberts and Walt Rambo.
In addition to Jones and Buchanan, the band consists of Paul Baker on bass and Chris Sudduth on drums.
Patrons may begin to pick up their tickets now and general audience tickets will go on sale Thursday, October 10.
Tickets may be picked up at The Crown in Indianola or reserved online at www.mid-deltaarts.org.
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Join today and get early seating for one of the most engaging shows for the Fall.
