Riverside Theatre Presents RING OF FIRE

Riverside Theatre, led by Producing Artistic Director/CEO Allen D. Cornell and Managing Director/COO Jon R. Moses, starts its 43rd season with the celebrated musical featuring the music of American Icon, Johnny Cash, in Ring Of Fire. Sponsored by John & Marilyn McConnell and Riverside Theatre's Patron Producers' Group, Ring Of Fire plays the Stark Stage from October 25 through November 13, 2016.

From the songbook of iconic artist Johnny Cash comes this crowd-pleasin', foot-stompin' musical celebration that tells a fascinating story of love and faith, struggle and success, rowdiness and redemption, and home and family. With more than three dozen classic Cash hits - "I Walk The Line," "A Boy Named Sue," "Folsom Prison Blues," "Ring of Fire" and many more - a multi-talented cast, create a unique portrait of an American music legend. Though never impersonated, Cash's remarkable story is told in an exhilarating and moving stage production.

Conceived by William Meade and created by Richard Maltby, Jr., Ring Of Fire dramatizes the story of a man who grew up poor in America's heartland and traveled the world on the strength of his music and talent. Throughout his journey, Johnny Cash finds love, success, faith, misadventure, heartache, redemption, and the love of a good woman.

"This musical is a story. You won't find a plot or dramatized scenes," says Maltby. "Although we do not stage Johnny Cash's life, by the end of the show the audience will feel they have spent the evening in the presence of an extraordinary and real man. These are songs full of love and feeling, wit and understanding, and like all country songs, they tell it like it is."

Ring Of Fire played Buffalo's Studio Arena in the fall of 2005 before opening on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre in March 2006. The Broadway production starred Jeb Brown, Jarrod Emick, Beth Malone, Cass Morgan, Lari White, Jason Edwards and a versatile group of musicians.

Riverside Theatre's production is directed by and stars Jason Edwards. "Ring Of Fire is the only theatrical show Johnny Cash gave his approval for and endorsed," says Mr. Edwards. "The show celebrates the songs he wrote about the everyday man; songs about issues and experiences he dealt with; songs that gave voice to so many overlooked and forgotten people. The show tries to touch on every aspect of Mr. Cash's life - his youth, his faith, his struggles, and his triumphs. It's also a story about love."

The cast also includes: Trenna Barnes, Allison Briner-Dardenne, and Benjamin D. Hale. Musicians on stage include: Jeff Lisenby (Keyboards, Accordion), Brent Moyer (Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Trumpet), Walter Hartman (Drums), Brantley Kearns (Fiddle), John Marshall (Upright Bass), and Sam Sherwood (Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Dobro, Mandolin, Harmonica).

The production crew includes: Jeff Lisenby (Music Director), Denise Patton (Choreographer), John Iacovelli (Scenic Design), Gordon DeVinney (Costume Design), Kenton Yeager (Lighting Designer), Craig Beyrooti (Sound Designer), and Audrey M. Brown (Production Stage Manager).

Ring Of Fire performs October 25 - November 13, 2016 on the Stark Stage at Riverside Theatre. Tickets start at $35. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 772-231-6990 or online at www.riversidetheatre.com.

Performances are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 7:30pm; Opening Night (the first Tuesday performance), Fridays, and Saturdays at 8pm; with matinees on Wednesdays, select Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm.

Performance Schedule:

October 25, 28, 29, November 4, 5, 11 & 12 @ 8pm

October 26, 29, 30, November 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 12 & 13 @ 2pm

October 26, 27, November 2, 3, 8, 9 & 10 @ 7:30pm

Ring Of Fire is sponsored by John & Narilyn McConnell and is presented by Riverside Theatre's Patron Producers Group: Lois Appleby, Linda Aronberg, Anita Astrachan, Carol Atkinson, Barbara Baldwin, David & Cynthia Bardes, Paul & Jayne Becker, Sam & Susie Bell, Dick & Sue Bergeman, Ted & Debbie Berghorst, Jerry & Anne Blatherwick , Este Brashears, John & Anita Brennan, Peter & Susie Brinckerhoff, Bill & Laura Buck, Tim & Carol Buhl, Bill & Karen Campbell, Don & Rose Ciampa, Jim & Dottie Currie, John & Sue Dobbs, Bill & Laura Frick, Mary Jane Grant, Herb & Ann Gullquist, Bill & Eva Gurley, Duke & Gael Habernickel, Robert & Pat Hall, Dick & Rosemary Haverland, Calvin & Sally Hills, Dave & Jayne Horner, Ronald F. Hunt, Allen & Ann Jones, John & Pam Kean, Paul & Nancy Knapp, Judy & Lou LaFage, Bill Lane, Doug & Julie Macrae, Whit & Betty MacMillan, John & Marilyn McConnell, Ray & Sonia McGowan, Brooke Megrue, Ted & Dawn Michael, Bob & Susan Morrison, Bobbie Olsen, Don & Connie Patterson, Michael & Kathie Pierce, Helen Post, Ted & Carol Price, Mike & Anne Rhoades, John Roberts & Juli Blunt, Ron & Nancy Rosner, Bill & Judy Schneebeck, Van Schreiber, Bill & Marlynn Scully, Ned & Emily Sherwood, Joe & Mary Alice Smith, Orin & Stephanie Smith, Dick & Stephanie Solar, Diana Stark and The Dorothea L. Leonhardt Foundation, Charlotte Stifel, Dick & Barbara Stockton, Doug & Dhuanne Tansill, John & Tobey Taylor, Wat & Jane Tyler, Lorne & Heidi Waxlax, Pat & Carol Welsh, Ken & Liz Whitney, Gail D. Williams, and Don Wilson.

The 2016-2017 Season is sponsored by: Wilmington Trust, Fidelity Investments, Dale Sorensen Real Estate, O'Haire Fessler Group-Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, Sea Turtle Real Estate, Indian River Medical Center, Northern Trust, Indian River Press Journal, 93.7 The Breeze, Vatland Honda, Marriott SpringHill Suites, and PNC Wealth Management.