Review: THE BALLAD OF JOHNNY AND JUNE Opens at Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre

To their adoring fans, country music power couple Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash had nothing short of a fairytale romance. Their enduring love story and illustrious careers take centre stage in Des McAnuff’s riveting new musical, The Ballad of Johnny and June. 

Fresh on the heels of its acclaimed debut in La Jolla, California, the production takes the spotlight at Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre. Broadway performers Christopher Ryan Grant (The Iceman Cometh, Million Dollar Quartet) and Patti Murin (Disney’s Frozen, Wicked) reprise their roles as Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. The exceptional duo lead a superb 12-person cast hailing from both sides of the Canada-U.S. border. 

Though centered on the lives and romance of Johnny and June, the musical is narrated by the couple’s son, John Carter Cash (Van Hughes). The narrative immerses the audience in Johnny’s tragedy-scarred childhood, his rise to fame, and his fraught relationship with his first wife, Vivian (Gabriella Joy). On the flip side (or, rather, the sunny side), we receive glimpses into June’s whirlwind teenage years as a bright-eyed member of her family’s highly successful band, the Carter Family. After fatefully crossing paths in 1956, Johnny and June eventually find themselves side-by-side on some of North America’s most prestigious stages, trying- and failing- to ignore the sparks flying between them. Their respective messy divorces ensue, and the rest, they say, is history.  

On the show’s November 14 opening night, the sold-out house’s atmosphere crackled with anticipation. From the top of the show to the final curtain, The Ballad of Johnny and June captivated the audience. Grant’s impeccable deliveries of Cash’s biggest hits, Ring of Fire and I Walk the Line, received exuberant applause. His portrayal of the charismatic but troubled country star is poignant and sometimes heartbreaking, particularly when Cash struggles in the throes of addiction. Grant’s chemistry with leading lady Murin is palpable; their outstanding singing voices and acting complement each other beautifully. Murin lights up the stage with her signature warmth and charm, delivering a standout performance as the multitalented June Carter Cash. 

Though live theatre has seen seemingly endless musical biopics (Ain’t Too Proud, MJ the Musical, A Beautiful Noise, etc.) in recent years, The Ballad of Johnny and June has strong potential to stand out from its counterparts. Its nonlinear libretto paints a vivid picture of Johnny and June’s lives on and off-stage; their son John’s narration adds another facet of uniqueness. If its opening night at the Citadel is any indication, the show just might be destined to strike a chord with audiences on the Great White Way and beyond. 

The Ballad of Johnny and June takes the spotlight at the Citadel’s Shoctor Theatre until December 8. 

Photo by Nanc Price for The Citadel Theatre’s production of The Ballad of Johnny and June (2024). A La Jolla Playhouse production. Featuring the Cast and Creative Team of The Ballad of Johnny and June. 

To post a comment, you must register and login.