Cashin' In

Whether Johnny Cash is singing an old spiritual or a song by Trent Reznor, there's something sacred and sincere in his raw, earthy voice that makes me feel like everything is gonna be all right. And, at first, the idea of a jukebox musical featuring 38 of the Man in Black's songs seemed downright blasphemous. I pictured a painful mingling of Walk the Line, Hannah Montana and Grease 2. I was worried the sadness, honesty and wit of his songs couldn't burn through all the layers of stage makeup. But, after reading a dozen reviews and watching a handful of online video clips of the production, I've been converted. Ring of Fire—The Music of Johnny Cash isn't a schlocky rehash of the 2005 biopic Walk the Line. Instead, Cash's songs provide the plot. And with songs about rising floods, hard-drinking and punching your dad in the face, the show promises memorable glimpses into the world according to Cash. Impressed with his idea for the multimedia stage production, Johnny Cash granted Bill Meade the stage rights to his songs prior to his death in 2003. Ring of Fire runs Tuesday through May 25 at The Music Hall at Fair Park. Tickets are $11 to $71. Call 214-631-2787 or visit ticketmaster.com.
Tuesdays-Sundays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, Sundays, 2 p.m.; Thu., May 22, 2 p.m. Starts: May 13. Continues through May 25, 2008