Community Corner
Patch Entrtainment Event: Laguna Playhouse Opens 2014, With a Delightfully Fun/Energetic Musical To Johnny Cash
With A Terrific Cast And Direction
Reviewed
By: Joseph Sirota
RING
OF FIRE
has turned the Laguna Playhouse Stage into a bevy-of fine singing, dancing
& playing a plethora of Country instruments. The troupe creates a shining
Gold-Mine of some great Americana Country songs of the legendary "Man-in-Black", Johnny Cash.
The music is irresistibly brought to vivid life by a wonderful passel of 10
Super-Talented, diverse & heartfully
energetic performers (7 outstanding men, and 3 very much their equal, women(gems
at every turn). Unstoppable songs, instruments & dance light up the stage
in solos, duets & joyful groups. From opening to finale, the audience gets
a plethora of lively memorable experiences . Indeed, we soon find ourselves tapping
.to the beats and clapping-n'-whooping with happy faces illuminated with glee
and appreciation. The show wisely brings us a real "Feel" of J.Cash's
LIFE, but NOT with any stuffy readings of his every key days, but rather,
fluidly blends his songs & moves with the show's 35 well done music numbers.
We
find ourselves tasting Cash's exciting life path, as if we're there with him,
not just hearing a bio of data. The whole evening's tribute leaves us knowing a
unique Americana star-- also a down to earth person born with little wealth or
fame, but builds global recognition & stature due to Johnny Cash reaching
real "Everyman(AND Gal)", by being an real-life earthy American, who
surely "earns" his success, and caring about real folks even if
they're poor or in "prisons". He still feels he Owes them his best entertaining
& energy. His gift is always caring & giving his best.
Simply Said, The
RING OF FIRE is a Darn Dynamite Entertainment at Night or Matinee. I
must add, it's also a worthy Tribute to Country Music and Grande Ole Opera,
albums and even movies. It's a Wise, Heartfelt Reminder to never forget that
Country Music is a GIANT in the Financial size of Music and Entertainment (...&
recall Car Racing holds it's own financially vs. Football, Baseball,
Basketball, Hockey ... though many "self- called sophisticates" may have
a far low idea of the power of Country Music and Stars, It's a solid, key
portion among USA's 330 Million music!
Here's just a
small taste of some of the very
well-received 2Hr-2Act Show: “I Walk The Line”, “Folsom Prison Blues”,
“I’ve Been Everywhere", "5 Feel High & Rising", "Tear
Stained letter", If I Were A
Carpenter", "Daddy Sang Bass", "In The Sweet By &
By", "Cry, Cry, Cry", "Man In Black", "Why Me
Lord", "Hey Porter", “Boy
Named Sue” and the Show's Title Song...“Ring of Fire”… & lots more!
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The
grand
cast of 10 Non-Stop, High-Energy performers offers us more like 60
abilities (half a dozen blended styles each). It's no wonder they make us
laugh, cry, sing-along, tap-our-feet, Clap our hands loud and excitedly, --
even more than we expected to HOT TIME at the RING OF FIRE. I
can't write about how many WOW's each
one merits as I have less print space than they have plentiful talent. I'll
just ay, every person worked sparklingly with each other again & again, yet
each also stepped into the spotlights to Truly be a STAR. Here is the spectacular 10-some: Stephen
Brunson, Amberly Rosen, Zach Sicherman. Nathan Yates Douglass, Justin Droegemueller,
Logan Farine, Allison Fund, Dale W Given, Romain
Rachline, Courtney Rada. And let's salute the
Gone-to-Heaven couple, the show was all written about, Johnny & June Carter
Cash... made for each other.
Back Stage, two Important Creative
Show Musts: Show Concept by William Meade & Show Created by Richard
Maltby Jr.
Director(& Musical Director): An absolutely wining dual challenge &
impressive key to show's success of the, Steve
Steiner..Bravo!
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Choreography & Ass't Direction powerfully/and
successful done by Paula Hammons Sloan. Set
Design: P&G Designs, Costumes: Keith Schneider.
Lighting & Sound: Eileen Smitheimer. Production Stage Mgr: Kristin Sutter.
Production Supervisor: Gail
Anderson.
Assistant Stage Manager: Ashley Senss.
Playhouse LBPH..Executive Director: Wood Karen Wood & Artistic
Director Ann E Wareham
==>Every Person related
to this Very Satisfying 2014 Show on-or-back stage Can be proud of being
part of a worthy Hit in a new year!
-->RING OF
FIRE
: Re-enjoying the late/great Johnny
Cash--Wowing Audiences @ Laguna Playhouse- 606 Laguna Canyon Road Laguna Beach, CA 92652
Schedule: Tues-thru Saturday Evenings at 7:30pm, Sat & Sun Matinees at
2:00pm Closes: Feb 2, 2014. Tkts: ($36-$71)(Call for Some Added
Showtimes, or any special Tkt Rates).
Box Office: (949) 497-ARTS [-2787