Trials and triumphs, heartache and hope - Johnny Cash's life echoes through his songs. 

Ring of Fire brings the Man in Black's epic storytelling to the stage, offering an intimate and emotional look at the legacy of a country music giant.

After a sold-out run in Vancouver last summer, the Arts Club production walks the line down to Courtenay Thursday, March 27. Presented by the Sid Williams Theatre Society as part of their Blue Circle Series, this production invites local audiences to immerse themselves in the legend's life and lyrics.

"It's a theatrical concert brought to life by singers and musicians as they delve into Cash's experiences," says Ashlie Corcoran, artistic director of the Arts Club. "It's not like a normal kind of biopic or jukebox musical 鈥� it's more of an exploration of scenes and ideas around his life."

The show's unique format resonated with audiences when it first premiered at Granville Island last year.

"We programmed it last year here at the Granville Island stage, and our audience just loved it. I think it's because there's a freedom in how it uses his music to explore these ideas that allows the audience to be part of the creation of the work."

With such an enthusiastic reception, taking the show on the road was the natural next step. As Ring of Fire travels, it continues to connect with fans across generations, a phenomenon Corcoran has witnessed firsthand 鈥� whether it's lifelong Johnny Cash devotees or those hearing his music for the first time.

"It was interesting seeing audiences who would be there. Some of them knew each of the tunes 鈥� they were there because they loved Johnny Cash. And then there were other people who didn't know his music and they were there because they wanted to see a play or their friends had brought them.鈥�

But whether familiar or brand-new, the music had an undeniable effect. 

"The songs themselves are so tuneful and his lyrics are so gut-wrenching in many ways, that even if you hadn't heard the songs before, you could see the big impacts they had. So I think his music is timeless because of the craft that he's put into each song.鈥�

That emotional impact is also amplified by the way Ring of Fire tells Cash's story. Rather than relying on a single actor to embody him, the production takes a more fluid, interpretive approach with different actors getting a chance to play him at various stages of his life.

"What is great about that is instead of the audience pinning down whether the performer looks exactly like Johnny Cash or sounds exactly like Johnny Cash, the show surfaces the emotions and the ideas before being a replica of Johnny Cash ... So the focus is on the content and the ideas instead of the person."

The show's unique storytelling approach is enhanced by a tight-knit cast who bring Cash's music to life and play their own instruments throughout the show. The ensemble from last season's production is reuniting for the spring tour and features Devon Busswood, Frankie Cottrell, Daniel Deorksen, Tainui Kuru, Patrick Metzger and Caitriona Murphy.

"They had such a great time together at Granville Island, so knowing they could literally get the band back together and go on tour, they were all so delighted by it 鈥� they're a really tight group."

Corcoran credits the cast's camaraderie, talent and musicianship for making Ring of Fire such a special experience. Their dynamic energy elevates the production, while the show's broad appeal ensures it resonates with a wide range of audiences.

"I think because it is that kind of 'anchor show' with a larger, wider appeal, because it is Johnny Cash, it reaches a larger audience," says Corcoran. "But it's also for people who love theatre. For people who don't know Johnny as well, from our experience, they still love the show and end up going and downloading or using Spotify to learn more about Johnny Cash."

Those familiar with Cash know his life wasn't all sunshine and singalongs. The show doesn't shy away from his struggles but balances those darker moments with hope.

"The way it's been staged, to go with his heart-wrenching music and lyrics, it gives the audience an opportunity to have catharsis and to feel emotion. But there's a positivity to that because it's like you're kind of 鈥� you're almost practicing feeling those emotions because they're not for you, they're for someone else," Corcoran says. "And then the way that the show has been structured is if we're going to one of those darker places or more introspective songs, the next song bounces us out with more light and joy."

Experience the emotional ebb and flow of Ring of Fire and see for yourself what makes it so unforgettable. Purchase tickets online, by phone or directly at the box office. For additional information and show details, visit sidwilliamstheatre.com.