Cause it BURNS BURNS BURNS - that RING OF FIRE!

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 3/2/06 at 10:07pm

Yes, folks, I walked out at intermission.

There is no story. There is no plot. There is no character development. There is simply the repeat of "I'm gonna ride that train..." to start off each song. And each song sounds the same. And the choreography is dry. And this is like a country western showdown gone wrong.

Yes, folks, LARAMIE PROJECT the musical would've been more interesting.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/2/06 at 10:11pm

If you went in knowing and realizing that there was no plot and no concrete characters, you'd have enjoyed it a helluva lot more.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 3/2/06 at 10:13pm

I DID know there was plot and characters before I went in, but frankly...

it should be billing itself as a "Johnny Cash Tribute Concert" NOT as a musical.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/2/06 at 10:14pm

It's a "Musical Show" actually.

But yeah, you're not wrong about that Tribute Concert thing.

Did you at least demand a refund?
Updated On: 3/2/06 at 10:14 PM

[keatonbynumbers]

Posted: 3/2/06 at 10:16pm

Man, I usually don't approve of people walking out during intermission, but from what I've heard of this show, I don't think I can blame you.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 3/2/06 at 10:24pm

keaton, I've only ever walked out on "Phantom..." at intermission and it had been my third time seeing it and I was insanely exhausted and falling asleep. I felt rude staying.

I normally don't approve either.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 3/2/06 at 10:41pm

Will add, though, that Cass Morgan is back in the show and a delight - but what else do you expect from such a talented gal?

[Runner1B]

Posted: 3/2/06 at 11:12pm

Perhaps "Inishmore" will go in to the Barrymore instead, since it doesn't preview until 4/18?

[Runner1B]

Posted: 3/2/06 at 11:14pm

I still don't understand why everyone is saying they don't understand the show---it's obviously a revue, not a book musical.

[1 Train Away]

Posted: 3/2/06 at 11:38pm

But that's not quite true, is it?

I mean, the story-songs have little plots, but there's also an undeveloped sense that the three couples are Johnny and June (the way the main, focused-on couple gets older during the show, the identical costumes, and the biographical elements like the man in black song and the old woman dying and leaving the old man behind. I did not know anything about Johnny Cash before reading the playbill bio, so I'm not bringing any outside knowledge to this, but the fact that show contains elements that are very similar to the biography the playbill gives makes me suspicious). Also, the reoccurring (and nonsensical) line about riding that train gives the feeling that the show is supposed to add up to an arc.

Now, is there a story-story? No. But it I just don't agree that the show does not appear to be making some effort at including a meta story as well as the mini ones.
And it fails. Because we just can't figure out exactly what they're doing.

Would I have liked it if they had been more upfront about the show being a musical revue? Probably not, since I'm not wild about country music or revues. But would it have been easier to sit back and enjoy the music (which had its moments) without the distraction of wondering whether this couple is the same as the couple from the previous time these two actors sang together? Yes. Plus, it would save all the awkward fake-comraderie "acting" that went on in the background all the time.

I just think it's incorrect to say that they absolutely aren't trying to have a plot. I don't think they've even made that choice. I think they are and they aren't, and it's time to fish or cut bait.

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 3/2/06 at 11:52pm

I see everything. But I just don't think I could sit through this show.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 3/2/06 at 11:55pm

what's a "meta story"?

[Gpvegas]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 8:40am

I went in knowing it was not a musical but rather a revuw type show, and I still was bored. I thought it was bad. Again, as most people have said the talent is excellent. I too got to see Cass, on Sunday. I thought she was out until Mid March.

I would not recommend this show, even to Johnny Cash fans.

[bdsiegel2]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 9:27am

Okay folks. I saw this in Buffalo before it transfered, and it was a thoroughly entertaining, enjoyable and at times very poignant show. I knew exactly what it was before I went, as I think most of the audience did as well.

The show is just not meant for Broadway. It's a fantastic show with a ton of heart, and though there's no plot per se, it's not void of any heart or literary texture. There's a great deal of value in this show, it just needs more room to grow and be appreciated. It's not meant for Broadway though, and in mounting it there, I fear it will fail (more than it sounds like it already has) and not be done anywhere regionally.

Just please, see it with an open heart, and an expectation to only be entertained. That's all it intends to do, and it does it very well.

Ben

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 9:38am

The show is just not meant for Broadway.

Then what's it doing there?

[kidmanboy]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 10:10am

I was there last night also. I went in knowing abslutely NOTHING about Johnny Cash or any of his music, and, frankly, I enjoyed it (although, I have to admit I didn't pay to see it). No, it did not make me a fan of his music, and I can't say I can hum a single melody from it. But what it did have were some great performers, having a great time (and sitting in the front row, I was able to see every moment). I also think that Richard Maltby is a great director. No, this show did not have a plot, but there were themes and small narratives present, allowing your imagination to fill the gaps. Some parts worked better than others, and the show was a little uneven in tempo, but his staging was always top-notch (and I actually enjoyed the choreography, after some truly awful stuff seen recently...color purple, woman in white) Why is it that he keeps choosing songwriters I have no clue about to create these kind of shows. Now if he created this type of musical out of, say, Ben Folds music...I'd be the first in line.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 3/3/06 at 10:39am

Was the buffet any good? How was the view from your cabin? Did you get a nice tan at least?

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 10:42am

Maltby is a fantastic director once he's picked out his material. But when he's choosing his material, he doesn't know what the hell he's doing.

WALK THE LINE the musical/RING OF FIRE: The Musical Tale of Johnny Cash's Life or something to that affect would have been FAR more interesting and, possibly, insanely enjoyable.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 1:24pm

Thought this might be a last minute choice if other plans for our weekend trip fell thru. Looks like we need an alternate for the alternate plan now

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 1:54pm

Mr Roxy, unless you're a HUGE Johnny Cash fan, I'd say don't bother.

[alterego]

Posted: 3/4/06 at 10:01pm

The title of this show reminds me of what a friend of mine used to feel the next morning after having an extremely hot curry the night before.