For the last month, the Miners Alley Performing Arts Center has been hosting a Johnny Cash-themed party.
On June 4, that party temporarily relocated to the Golden Mill, as the venue hosted “Ring of Fire” cast members for a special performance that doubled as a fundraiser for MAPAC.
The Johnny Cash-themed jukebox musical “Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash” is playing at MAPAC through June 29. It portrays Cash’s journey of “misadventure, success, faith, redemption and the love of a good woman” through his music, according to the MAPAC website.
Six cast members, who double as the musical’s band, showcased their vocal and instrumental talents June 4 at the Golden Mill. About 80% of the songs they played were arrangements from the “Ring of Fire” show, but they mixed in a few other songs from Cash’s contemporaries as well as some originals.
Overall, organizers from both MAPAC and the Golden Mill said the event was a “win-win-win” as it generated interest in “Ring of Fire,” raised funds for MAPAC and brought more people to the Golden Mill on a rainy Wednesday evening.
Right show, right time
Susan Ganter, the Mill’s co-owner, said she’s been wanting to host a fundraiser for MAPAC for years — even before her team took over the Mill in spring 2021.
However, MAPAC never had a show that could easily translate to a fundraising concert. That is, until “Ring of Fire” came along, MAPAC’s Producing Artistic Director Len Matheo said.
Matheo and MAPAC Executive Director Lisa DeCaro told Ganter about “Ring of Fire” about in April, and they all worked to make the June 4 concert and fundraiser happen. Ganter said 10% of the evening’s proceeds would go toward MAPAC, and hoped to raise about $3,000.
Ganter said, if possible, she’d like to host MAPAC for another fundraiser soon and make June the Mill’s cultural arts month.
The venue is also hosting the Circus Foundry aerialists’ annual ARTSWEEK GOLDEN show June 18, which will also be a fundraiser for Foothills Art Center.
For Johnny Cash and theater fans, DeCaro said there were still “Ring of Fire” tickets available, but she recommended people get them sooner rather than later as performances are selling out quickly.
Quadruple threats
She hoped Goldenites would come to see the show, describing the entire cast as quadruple threats who can act, sing, dance and play. She said most of them play several instruments and that watching them perform is impressive.
Because of how “Ring of Fire” is structured, no one performer plays Johnny Cash. The cast members described how they take turns as Cash depending on what aspect of his life they’re portraying.
“It’s the most unique way you’ll hear Johnny Cash music,” cast member Michael Phillips said of the musical.
Cast member David Otto described it as “high energy” and “a party.”
Clark Destin Jones said he’s had a lot of fun with his fellow cast members over the past several weeks and hoped to continue that through closing night on June 29. “I just love playing with these guys,” he said.
Click through additional photos from the June 4 concert:
“Ring of Fire” cast member Caitlin Secrest points at the camera while performing June 4 at the Golden Mill. Secrest and her fellow cast members performed arrangements of Johnny Cash music from the “Ring of Fire” stage musical as part of a fundraiser for Miners Alley Performing Arts Center. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
Golden Mill patrons applaud “Ring of Fire” cast members’ June 4 concert of Johnny Cash music. The Golden Mill hosted the concert as a fundraiser for Miners Alley Performing Arts Center. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
From left, “Ring of Fire” cast members Caitlin Secrest and Michael Phillips watch David Otto perform during a June 4 concert at the Golden Mill. The cast members did both solo and group performances of Johnny Cash songs from the “Ring of Fire” stage musical, which runs through June 29 at Miners Alley Performing Arts Center. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
Cast members of Miners Alley Performing Arts Center’s “Ring of Fire” show host a June 4 concert at the Golden Mill. The cast performed Johnny Cash songs from the show, which runs through June 29. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
Valerie Lurquin and her 3-year-old niece dance to Johnny Cash covers June 4 at the Golden Mill. The venue hosted cast members from Miners Alley Performing Arts Center’s “Ring of Fire” show for a concert fundraiser. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
“Ring of Fire” cast member Caitlin Secrest laughs between musical numbers during a June 4 at the Golden Mill. Secrest and her fellow cast members performed arrangements of Johnny Cash music from the “Ring of Fire” stage musical as part of a fundraiser for Miners Alley Performing Arts Center. Credit: Corinne Westeman 
Cast members of Miners Alley Performing Arts Center’s “Ring of Fire” show host a June 4 concert at the Golden Mill. The cast performed Johnny Cash songs from the show, which runs through June 29. Credit: Corinne Westeman