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Stage Show Looks At Johnny Cash's Musical Legacy

DENVER (CBS4) - Singer and songwriter Johnny Cash remains as popular today as he was in his prime and 45 of his albums are still in print. Now a stage show looks at his musical legacy at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

CBS4 Critic at Large Greg Moody reviewed "Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash" -- the music of Johnny Cash.

"It's got the music right -- but it just doesn't have the man," Moody said.

"Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash" is a stage musical that has traveled the country trying to find its place and its tone since a rough debut on Broadway in 2006.

This latest version features four singers -- two men, two women, and a passel of musicians who bring to life the music of Cash -- as well as the music that inspired him throughout his life.

"I really enjoyed the music of the show. The cast does a great job with it and you simply can't resist the beat of solid country -- country pop -- roadhouse -- honky tonk and blues that permeated the career of Johnny Cash," Moody said.

No one performer plays Cash.

"While I'm not looking for an impersonation here, what I am looking for is a measure of the man. Who was he? What drove him? What drove his music. There's an emotional disconnect here leaving us with the right music, but no sense of the man to go with it," Moody said.

"Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash" runs through May 13 in the Stage Theater of the Denver Performing Arts Complex downtown. For tickets and information call (303) 893-4100 or visit the Denver Center for the Performing Arts website.

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