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Paramount stage presents Johnny Cash musical

February 08, 2008 @ 11:28 PM

BETH HENDRICKS

For The Herald-Dispatch

ASHLAND -- Everybody could use a little Cash. Johnny Cash, that is.

"Ring Of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash" hits the Paramount Arts Center stage in a 3 p.m. show Sunday. Ticket prices range from $10 to $45.

The touring production paying homage to the "Man in Black" features nearly 40 signature songs from the legendary musician. The show chronicles the ups and downs of his life. Don't be confused, though -- the performers are not aiming to be Johnny Cash look- or sound-alikes. They're out to have as good a time as the audiences they entertain.

"This is definitely more a musical event than a theatrical event; but, it's not an impersonation show," said Julie Meirick, who sings and plays guitar in the show. Meirick is a seasoned performer, hitting stages from the Crystal Cathedral to the world-famous Bluebird Café. "We're not trying to be the people the show is about. We're trying to tell Cash's story with his own music and honor him."

The two-hour production is a smaller-scale presentation of the Broadway show where the case took each of Cash's songs and made a story. In the national tour, the cast presents Cash's story, words taken from his own autobiography, as well as many of his famous songs, including "Walk the Line," "I've Been Everywhere," and "A Boy Named Sue."

"It's a lot like a concert. People are singing along, clapping, hooting and hollering," Meirick said, adding that a simple set and 'gorgeous lighting' complement the style of the show. "Cash wrote great music and then picked great music -- things that aren't too commercial.

"When you sit and listen to the lyrics, you come away amazed at the multitude of feelings and emotions that are in there. Then, of course, there are some songs that are just really brilliant and funny," she continued. Meirick said one of her favorite works is "Sunday Morning Coming Down," which she sings in the show.

"You don't have to know every little thing about Cash to enjoy this show. You don't even have to know anything about him," said Meirick, who got her first exposure to his music as a child sitting with her best friends in her father's El Camino. "I've found that some people's favorite Cash songs are ones even his fans weren't always familiar with."

For more information or to purchase tickets, call (606) 324-3175.

If you go

WHAT: Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash

WHEN: 3 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: Paramount Arts Center, Ashland

TICKETS: $10-$45

INFORMATION: (606) 324-3175

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Photo by Joan Marcus, courtesy of the Paramount Arts Center.

"Ring Of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash" hits the Paramount Arts Center stage in a 3 p.m. show Sunday.

Photo by Joan Marcus, courtesy of the Paramount Arts Center

"Ring Of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash" hits the Paramount Arts Center stage in a 3 p.m. show Sunday.