William Meade News

From the songbook of The Man in Black himself, comes the musical adaptation "Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash". Performed by a multi-talented cast of 10, the show features 38 Cash classics including "I Walk the Line", "A Boy Named Sue" and "Folsom Prison Blues". This lively musical about love and faith, struggle and success, and rowdiness and redemption, opens at Syracuse Stage on June 9 in the Archbold Theatre at Syracuse Stage/SU Drama Complex, 820 E. Genesee St. Preview performances are June 7 and 8.

Virginia Stage Company and Norfolk State University Theatre Company's production of The Wiz concluded April 30 after rave reviews, smashing attendance records and selling out five performances - something not seen at the Wells Theatre is many years. By pooling the resources, talents, and staffs of the two organizations, the production was elevated to a height otherwise unachievable. 

Johnny Cash.  Just the name is iconic, but his music and that deep, calm bass-baritone voice made the "Man in Black" an American legend. From his songbook comes this crowd-pleasing, foot-stomping musical celebration that tells a fascinating story of love and faith, struggle and success, rowdiness and redemption, home and family.

Virginia Stage is excited to announce what they have in store for their 39th season. The lineup includes an additional production, the return of fan favorite Crowns. The full lineup has through lines of gospel and comedy and includes a Pulitzer Prize winner, two musicals, a new work, and adaptations of three classic works of literature.

Much has changed in Buffalo, including it's theatrical scene. A coming home of sorts is happening at SHEA'S 710 THEATRE. RING OF FIRE: THE MUSIC OF JOHNNY CASH has returned to the stage where the production began. In 2005 Studio Arena Theatre produced this jukebox musical created by Richard Maltby Jr and conceived by William Meade. After a short run that earned much local praise, the production moved to Broadway, something not typical for Buffalo. Unfortunately the New York critics and audiences were less enthusiastic, and the production shuttered after a very brief run. But RING OF FIRE, much like Studio Arena and Buffalo itself, was to have it's own rebirth. A reworked version in 2013 by Maltby and Jason Edwards has become much more of a success and audiences across the United States have been quite receptive. Amherst's MusicalFare Theatre presentation from last season is now playing out in a lively and pitch perfect production.

Known by legions of fans as 'the Man in Black,' artist and performer Johnny Cash was a musical jack-of-all-trades. A singer, songwriter, and guitarist all in one, his music incorporates country-western sounds with gospel and blues influences. Syracuse Stage celebrates this American icon with 'Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash,' an addition to the theater's 2016/2017 season.

Chicken Soup for the Soul is coming to the stage! The world's favorite storyteller, with more than 250 books in print, is bringing a select group of its 20,000-plus stories to life through live theater for audiences of all ages. Chicken Soup for the Soul has teamed up with Stellation Entertainment to adapt a wide variety of diverse stories to be performed for live audiences. These shows will be distributed worldwide by theatrical licensing agent, R&H Theatricals, a division of Rodgers & Hammerstein, An Imagem Company, for performances by schoolchildren, amateurs and professional performers.  

Chicken Soup for the Soul is coming to the stage! The world's favorite storyteller, with more than 250 books in print, is bringing a select group of its 20,000-plus stories to life through live theater for audiences of all ages. Chicken Soup for the Soul has teamed up with Stellation Entertainment to adapt a wide variety of diverse stories to be performed for live audiences. These shows will be distributed worldwide by Theatrical Licensing agent, R&H Theatricals, a division of Rodgers & Hammerstein, An Imagem Company, for performances by schoolchildren, amateurs and professional performers.

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.  

WaterTower Theatre Managing Director Greg Patterson and Associate Artistic Director Kelsey Leigh Ervi today announced casting and creative team details for the Regional Premiere of Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash, Directed by B.J. Cleveland, with Musical Direction by Sonny Franks. Created by Richard Maltby Jr., Conceived by William Meade, with Orchestrations by Steven Bishopand Jeff Lisenby, Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash will run October 7-30, 2016 in the Canterbury Family Main Stage at the Addison Theatre Centre. The cast features Spencer Baker as Eddie, Ian Ferguson as Mark, Sonny Franks as David, Katrina Kratzer as Trenna, and Brian Mathis as Jason.

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.  

WaterTower Theatre Managing Director Greg Patterson and Associate Artistic Director Kelsey Leigh Ervi today announced casting and creative team details for the Regional Premiere of Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash, Directed by B.J. Cleveland, with Musical Direction by Sonny Franks. Created by Richard Maltby Jr., Conceived by William Meade, with Orchestrations by Steven Bishopand Jeff Lisenby, Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash will run October 7-30, 2016 in the Canterbury Family Main Stage at the Addison Theatre Centre. The cast features Spencer Baker as Eddie, Ian Ferguson as Mark, Sonny Franks as David, Katrina Kratzer as Trenna, and Brian Mathis as Jason.

Take an exuberant ride alongside an American icon in the regional premiere of Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash, playing at People's Light from July 20-August 14, 2016. Virtuoso David Lutken, star of the hit show Woody Sez: The Life and Music of Woody Guthrie, returns to the Leonard C. Haas Stage in a musical mosaic of the "Man in Black". People's Light is located at 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, PA 19355. For tickets, call 610.644.3500 or visit peopleslight.org.

?WaterTower Theatre Managing Director Gregory Patterson and Associate Artistic Director Kelsey Leigh Ervi today announced the directors for the upcoming 2016-2017 WaterTower Theatre Main Stage Season in The Canterbury Family Main Stage at the Addison Theatre Centre.   Directing the season opener, Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash (October 7- 30, 2016) is B.J. Cleveland with Musical Direction by Sonny Franks.  Next up, the regional premiere of Silent Sky (January 20-February 12, 2017) will be directed by Kelsey Leigh Ervi.  The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens, and Count Leo Tolstoy: Discord (April 14-May 7, 2017) will be directed by Emily Scott Banks.  Rene Moreno will return to direct Native Gardens (June 2- 25, 2017). Sunday in the Park With George (July 28-August 20, 2017) will be directed by Terry Martin, with Musical Direction by Jeff Lankov.

Single tickets for Arizona Theatre Company's upcoming 50th anniversary season of six of the finest contemporary and classic American theatre productions at the Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe, go on sale beginning Monday, July 25.

?Terry Martin, WaterTower Theatre Producing Artistic Director, today announced details of the Company's 2016-2017 20th Anniversary Main Stage Season.  The 5-show subscription season, planned by Martin, includes four Regional Premieres. Highlights of the season include a Stephen Sondheim classic, a musical tribute to American music legend Johnny Cash, two plays by leading female playwrights Lauren Gunderson and Karen Zacarias, plus a holiday extra. 

Riverside Theatre, led by Producing Artistic Director/CEO Allen D. Cornell and Managing Director/COO Jon R. Moses, has announced its 2016-2017 Season. Building on the success and support the theatre has attained over the last few years, Riverside is proud to present another ambitious season of music, comedy, and drama.

The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens and Count Leo Tolstoy: Discord, a blistering comedy battle of wits from Scott Carter, Executive Producer of HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher, that examines what happens when great men of history are forced to repeat it, comes to the Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe, May 5-29. I. Michael and Beth Kasser are Arizona Theatre Company's 2015-16 Season Sponsors. 

Arizona Theatre Company's 50th anniversary season promises to be its most ambitious ever with a six-show mainstage lineup of the finest contemporary and classic American theatre.  The lineup ranges from the just-closed acclaimed Broadway hits King Charles III and An Act of God, by 13-time Emmy-winning writer and producer of The Daily Show With John Stewart; to the Johnny Cash musical Ring of Fire and an epic revival of the beloved musical about family, faith and tradition, Fiddler on The Roof. 

The Man in Black is proving a powerful draw for Penobscot Theatre Company, warranting a one-week extension of the popular show, created by Richard Maltby, Jr. and conceived by William Meade. Originally scheduled to close September 27,Ring of Fire, The Music of Johnny Cash is now slated to run through October 4, offering patrons five more opportunities to see the theatre's acclaimed season-opener.