Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"...Even if you know all about Cash's life, that image of a grieving family chopping cotton - out of economic necessity - within hours of burying one of their own is still enough to pull you up short. Talk about a burning ring of fire. Heck, you could argue that even when Cash seemed to be singing of some other sadness entirely, in songs like "I Still Miss Someone" or "Why Me, Lord?" that day was surely always on his mind."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"...And now, with “Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash,” a rousing revue at Mercury Theater Chicago, the man in black is the subject of a full-fledged, quasi-biographical show packed with 30 songs, all performed by a rip-roaring, multi-talented cast of seven big personalities who can sing up a storm, play a slew of instruments, and conjure the various times and places in the life of this man who so memorably proclaimed he had been everywhere."
Chicago Reader - Recommended
"...But Malcolm Ruhl's genre-perfect musical direction, combined with Barry G. Funderburg's crystalline sound design, keep the cast's impressive musicianship front and center. That's just enough to make these two hours worthwhile."
Gapers Block - Recommended
"...Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash, now extended through August at the Mercury Theatre on Southport, deserves to be called a jukebox musical. It's a rousing evening of Johnny Cash's music--some 30 songs by Cash and other songwriters--performed by a talented band of Chicago musicians. It's a musical tribute with almost no storyline to complicate the musical evening."
Stage and Cinema - Highly Recommended
"...Inevitably, the salute is a showcase. Lewis brings charisma and confidence to the signature "Man in Black," while Goodman suggests the drive and dreams that fueled the Cash to come ("Going to Memphis"). Goodrich and Lewis turn every chart-buster to wise man's gold, never m0re so than in the love-laden "I Walk the Line," a divine duet. Superb back-up from a four-star country combo comes from talented young Austin Cook on keyboards and more, veteran Malcolm Ruhl on fiddle and guitars, Billy Shaffer on percussion, and Greg Hirte on fiddle and mandolin, as well as electric, acoustic and resonator guitars."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...This is a crowd pleaser that quickly got the opening night audience clapping and cheering. Johnny Cash would appreciate the superbly produced tribute to his legend and his songbook. This remount is tighter, more polished and refined and the cast seems to be having as good a time as the foot-stomping opening night audience. Cheers abound with this thoroughly pleasing show. The deft Johnny Cash-style singing by Lewis and Goodman was awesome but Corey Goodrich almost steals the show with her amazing country singing. This is a major treat for spring and summer in Chicago. Take the entire family to see this fun show!"
Chicago Stage and Screen - Highly Recommended
"...Song conflates with narrative here more seamlessly than I’ve seen in almost any other musical, because the lyrics to nearly all the songs made most famous by Cash and his wife, June, revel in a certain biographical transparency. His oeuvre tells us of the early death of his brother, life on the road, his addictions, and prayers for salvation. The elder Cash acts as the narrator to fill in any gaps left by the score. He periodically steps to stage’s side to watch his younger self, played by Michael Monroe Goodman, assume its center, but the script keeps these speeches trim, letting the music do almost all the talking."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...I fell in love with the production of "Ring of Fire" when it was brought to us at Theatre at The Center in Munster. Now, they have taken this production, made a few changes here and there, sort of like a chef adjusting a good recipe, just a bit, to make it all the more tastier and last night the audience at The Mercury Theater ,saw just how solid this show can be.The recipe has reached perfection! Again, there are some musical changes and the addition to the cast of Chicago's rising star Austin Cook, who it seems can play more than just the piano."
Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended
"...With some mighty fine direction by Brian Russell, this slick production of Richard Maltby and William Meade’s jukebox musical, originally playing on Broadway nine years ago, has entertained audiences all over the country. Chicago is very lucky to have this polished, professionally performed musical back here for the summer. Audiences needn’t be Country-Western devotees to appreciate all the talent, skill and artistry found in this production and it’s very likely that “The Man in Black” will win a lot of new fans, courtesy of the charm radiated from this magnificent show."
Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Highly Recommended
"..."Ring of Fire" comes in at a bit under two hours, including an intermission. That's just the right amount of time to cover the major Cash hits and some complementary country tunes along with a bit of humor, while offering a few bare bones facts about Cash's life. The cast, veterans of this vehicle, are comfortable in their roles and seemed to genuinely enjoy working with each other. Cash has given them some feel good music to sing and play and an iconic American troubadour personality to cast a glow over the proceedings, and the performers run with it."