Ring of Fire's Cass Morgan to Take Medical Leave of Absence

Cass Morgan was required to undergo surgery, which was successful. The surgery will require a significant amount of recuperation time that has already begun. Cass has begun a leave of absence from Ring of Fire and is expected to re-join the production prior to the opening on March 12th.

Until she has recovered, her role will be performed by Melanie Vaughan.

Ring of Fire is a new Broadway musical created and directed by Tony Award® winner Richard Maltby, Jr. and conceived by William Meade. Preview performances begin on February 8th and officially opens March 12, 2006 at the Ethel Barrymore Theater (243 West 47th Street).

Ring of Fire features 38 of Johnny Cash's songs such as "Country Boy," "A Thing Called Love," "Five Feet High and Rising," "Daddy Sang Bass," "Ring of Fire," "I Walk the Line," "I've Been Everywhere," "The Man in Black," and his final hit, "Hurt."

Quote from Executive Producer James B. Freydberg: We are very sad that Cass will not be able to join us for the beginning of our Broadway journey in a role that she created. Having been with the production from the world premiere in Buffalo, she is an important part of this production. We are lucky to have Melanie Vaughan who has graciously stepped into the production until Cass has recovered.

Cass Morgan. Tony® nominated for Pump Boys and Dinettes which Cass also co-wrote, Ring of Fire marks her return to Broadway after an eight year absence. Broadway credits: Beauty and the Beast (Mrs. Potts), Capeman, The Human Comedy, Hair, and Pump Boys and Dinettes which she also co-wrote, and which was nominated for a Tony in 1982. Off-Broadway: The Immigrant (cast album), Violet (cast album) and Floyd Collins (cast album) Inside Out (cast album), Merrily We Roll Along (cast album) York Theater Company revival, The Knife and La Boheme (Musetta), Joe Papp's Public Theater. Regional: Runaway Beauty Queen , The Immigrant at both Denver Center and The Coconut Grove Playhouse, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Miss Mona) and 1776 (Abigail) North Carolina State theater. National tour of Cabaret (Frauline Schneider), American premier of Children Of Eden (Eve/ Mama Noah, Mill Mountain Playhouse). 11 years with the New Harmony Project.

MELANIE VAUGHAN (u/s Cass). Ten Broadway shows including Imaginary Friends, Parade and Sunday in the Park with George. National tours: Sweeney Todd, Jerome Robbins' Broadway. Soloist: Tulsa Symphony, Town Hall, Avery Fisher Hall and Radio City. Jasmin Munchgstettner in the world premiere of Bagdad Cafe: the Musical. Most recently: Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast at the Place des Arts.

www.ringoffirethemusical.com