‘Ring of Fire’ brings one hot band to Surrey for 10-show run of Cash hits

Songs by the legendary Man in Black light up Ring of Fire, a theatrical concert in Surrey starting Wednesday, Feb. 26.

The Arts Club Theatre’s touring production brings the heat of six talented actor-musicians to Surrey Arts Centre’s Main Stage for a 10-show run, closing March 8.

Last June at the company’s Granville Island Stage, I was entertained by the skilled strummin’, singin’ and drummin’ of Ring of Fire players Devon Busswood, Frankie Cottrell, Daniel Deorksen, Tainui Kuru, Patrick Metzger and Caitriona Murphy.

The show chronicles Johnny Cash’s life, of course, but it’s less about his rags-to-riches story than Cash’s hit songs, 20 in total, including “I Walk the Line,” “Folsom Prison Blues” and “A Boy Named Sue.” There’s no actor-to-actor talk, just dialogue from characters facing the audience, with multiple roles for all.

“Ring of Fire isn’t about impersonating Johnny Cash,” notes Ashlie Corcoran, Arts Club artistic director, “it’s about celebrating his life through the musicianship of our performers and their incredible talent for sharing a foot-stomping, crowd-pleasing musical journey.”

Directed by Rachel Peake, Ring of Fire tours to Surrey, Coquitlam, Chilliwack, Mission, Maple Ridge and other cities this month and next.

At Surrey Arts Centre, special stagings include a Paint the Play show on March 1 (“Drop off your six- to 11-year-old child for an art camp while you enjoy the show,” at 4 p.m.), a post-show chat with the actors (March 6), and Vocal-Eye Audio description for patrons who are blind or partially sighted  (4 p.m. March 8).

Tickets range from $34 to $65 on tickets.surrey.ca, or call 604-501-5566.

Ring of Fire is the third and final Arts Club on Tour show of the 2024-25 season at Surrey Arts Centre, following Michelle Riml’s Sexy Laundry (October 2024), Christine Quintana’s Someone Like You (January 2025). The company’s 2025-26 season of plays will be announced Wednesday, Feb. 26, in Vancouver.