Chuck Kuepfer, Staff Reporter
Drayton Entertainment is set to bring the music of the legendary Johnny Cash to life.
The theatre company will present Johnny and June at the Drayton Festival Theatre from July 25 to Aug. 11.
The show is a tribute to Cash, a country music pioneer considered to be one of the most influential artists of our time.
“We cover a lot of his music over his whole career,” said Aaron Solomon, who takes the stage as Johnny.
Solomon will be joined on stage by Colleen Aynn, who plays the role of June Carter, Cash’s second wife.
Together, they will perform such classic duets as the Grammy Award-winning classic “Jackson.”
Johnny and June is billed as musical journey revealed through the lens of Cash’s wife.
Solomon said performing duets gives him somebody to “play off of.”
“And she’s really good,” he said.
The first act of the show covers material from Cash’s At Folsom Prison album, which was released in 1968, which includes the hit Folsom Prison Blues. Other hits to covered include Ring of Fire, Boy Name Sue and Peace in the Valley, among others.
Solomon has performed in the show a number of times since its debut a couple of theatre seasons ago at the Lighthouse Theatre in Port Dover Theatre.
“We’ve been doing it here and there ever since,” he said.
It will be his first time on the Drayton Theatre stage. He brings with him a wide array of talents as a singer, actor and musician.
“More often than not I work as a musician because I’m a multi-instrumentalist.” said Solomon. “I’ve got a pretty crazy schedule. I’d say it’s a whole lot of work, work that I’ve been doing for a long time. Now that I’m better known it’s easier to get work because I have more contacts out there that are looking for what you do.”
Solomon has performed on many international stages, including the Ed Sullivan Theatre in New York and Warsaw Philharmonic in Poland. Solomon has also performed with numerous artists including Shania Twain, Jeff Healey, Big Sugar and George Hamilton IV, and has acted in plays, television shows and films.
Aynn, who is a celebrated international artist in her own right, will make her Drayton Entertainment debut.
Johnny and June is directed by Chris McHarge, while Colin Stewart is director of music. The duo previously entertained audiences with Blue Suede Shoes: Memories of the King.
Johnny and June, which is a well-crafted combination of story and song, has already been well received in previous performances.
“Usually standing ovations,” said Solomon.
Johnny and June plays eight shows a week, July 25-August 11th.
Tickets are available at www.draytonentertainment.com or by calling 1-885- DRAYTON.
