Plaza Theatre Co. cashes in on "Ring of Fire"

Jan. 5—Plaza Theatre Co. kicked its 2022 season off with a tour de force blast of Buddy Holly's music and life story.

Quick on the good thing uptake when they see it, Plaza folk on New Year's Eve teed their new season off with an equally impressive run through the life of the Man in Black.

"Ring of Fire," featuring the music of Johnny Cash, runs through Jan. 28.

Don't expect Cash's detailed life story from "Ring of Fire" — plenty of available suitable books, including the late singer's autobiography, are replete with such particulars for anyone curious — but rather brace yourself for great music, and lots of it.

He's a funny one Cash, pure country on one hand, controversial as the Clash on the other. The rare country performer both hugely popular in his own musical circle but also dearly admired by many who otherwise hold little or no interest in the country music genre. Maybe because he dabbled in rockabilly, rock, folk and other musical fields as well as country. Or, perhaps, simply because timeless, classic songs transcend attempts to force musical styles into individual boxes.

In the end, Cash was just Cash, flowing with but also bigger than the music he loved, an American musical giant on par with Sinatra, Presley and Armstrong.

Certainly it's impossible to, with a straight face, imagine buying any of the current crop of popular country performers singing about shooting a man in Reno just to watch him die, but Cash sold it. He certainly did.

"Ring of Fire" starts not at the beginning but toward the end of Cash's life with a haunting performance of "Hurt," a 1995 Nine Inch Nails song Cash covered on his stunning late-life string or Rick Rubin produced albums. "Hurt" writer Trent Reznor, upon hearing Cash's take, humbly admitted that the song wasn't his anymore.

Kevin Poole, who plays Cash, delivers a superb take on the song to open the play.

More accurately, Poole sort of plays Cash in Plaza's production. The cast is fluid throughout with Poole also playing Cash's father, Sun Records producer Sam Phillips and other characters at times. Stephen Singleton plays Cash at other times, as well as other characters while Susan Metzger and Megan Liles switch off playing June Carter Cash in addition to other characters. What sounds confusing really isn't. The action of the play and ability to keep up with who's who remains easy.

Elsewhere, skeletal details nicely move the action along providing highlights of Cash's life — early life turmoils, death of his brother at a young age, big break with Sun Records, romance, addiction, Folsom Prison etc — but "Ring of Fire" is more celebration of Cash's music than straight narrative affair.

In that respect, the entire cast shines both musically and instrumentally.

"I've Been Everywhere," sung by the female actors oddly enough, proved a musical highlight among the night's musical highlights. It and other songs had opening night audience members singing along and tapping toes all night.

"Ring of Fire," "Jackson," "I Walk the Line" and "Delia's Gone" join Cash's other big hits but just as fun are the handful of lesser known tunes.

Photos of Cash throughout his life hung on the walls and a bit of light show aside, the bare bones scenery of a desk her, bench there, bed in another scene perfectly compliment the play's overall feel.

Wish the play would've included a nod to Cash's friendship and collaborations with Bob Dylan but that's a small quibble in an otherwise grand, musically thrilling production.

Makes one wonder whether the good people of Plaza will launch their 2024 season by tackling another musical giant. Time will tell but for now, it's all Cash at Plaza and "Ring of Fire" is Cleburne's hottest ticket.

For tickets and information, visit plaza-theatre.com or call 817-202-0600.