Although legendary musician and songwriter Johnny Cash died in2003, his music is alive and hot on Broadway at the Ethel BarrymoreTheatre in New York City.

“Ring of Fire,” a play that showcases 38 of Cash’s songs,officially opens tonight – thanks, in part, to the considerabletalent and effort of former Brookhaven resident Randy Redd. He isone of 14 performers who bring the musical production to life.

The effort has been a labor of love and nostalgia for Redd.

“I grew up with these songs. My parents had every album. We alsosaw Johnny and June at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson when Iwas a kid,” Redd says of his bliss at performing songs that arefamiliar, yet still exciting.

Over the course of the production, Redd plays keyboards, guitarand mandolin.

“The beauty of this show is that we all play in the show as wellas perform the songs — all on stage. In addition to the songs thatwe perform as a group, I have two featured numbers: ‘Egg Suckin’Dog’ in the Grand Ole Opry sequence at the end of Act One and’Austin Prison’ in Act Two,” he says of the musical.

If talent and experience can be relied upon for the success ofthe show, “Ring of Fire” has a good chance of a long run onBroadway. The production is weighted heavily with people who havegained acclaim in the entertainment world and have been nominatedfor many awards, including Tony Awards.

The director and co-creator of the play is Tony Award winnerRichard Maltby Jr., who has made a sterling reputation as adirector and writer.

Ironically, Redd’s start in the production was accidental, as hewas actually at a callback for another play at the time he wasapproached to audition for “Ring of Fire” by its casting director.He was unaware at the time for what, exactly, he was auditioning,although the types of songs he was asked to sing on the spotprovided a hint.

Redd recalls, “They asked me to sing something country: I sangone of my own songs, ‘Lucky.’ Then they asked me to sing somethingelse — they asked for a real honky tonk song — I think I sang aMickey Gilley song ‘Don’t The Girls All Get Prettier At ClosingTime’ And then, after a long whispered conference behind the table,they asked me to sing something funny.”

Evidently, his audition went well because he has been with theshow since its first workshop in New York over a year ago.

The musical premiered in Buffalo in October 2005 to goodreviews.

“It’s rare that a new musical finds its way to Broadway soquickly. We have amazing producers who made this all happen thisseason,” Redd says.

The pinnacle of this past year’s work will be tonight’s openingperformance, when the audience will be filled with friends, family,celebrities and critics.

Most of Redd’s family will be among them. He is the son of MaryLu Redd and Gordon Redd, of Brookhaven. His siblings are brother,Steven Redd, of Brookhaven; and his sisters Robin Redd, of Memphis,and Karen Redd Morris, who lives in Hattiesburg with her husband,Dr. Jeffrey Morris, and their three daughters, Meredith, 10,Leslie, 7, and Gretchen, 23 months.

A glimmer of the performer Redd would someday become happenedlong before today, when he began piano lessons at age 6 withFrances Vardeman Phillips, which continued until he went away forcollege at Florida State.

“We stayed close and still found time for visits every time Iwas home. Miss Fannie passed away recently and I really miss her,”he says.

He graduated from Brookhaven High School in 1982. Of his timethere, he says, “Of course, all of my teachers were special but DonPatterson meant so much to me — as well as to my younger brotherand both sisters — a brilliant, hilariously funny man and a greatteacher. He really made me think.”

Over the years, Redd has managed to build an impressive galleryof work.

He made his Broadway debut in “Parade” directed by Harold Princeat Lincoln Center. He appeared as “Britt Craig” in the NationalTour of “Parade” and as “Bingo Little” in the American premiere ofAndrew Lloyd Webber’s “By Jeeves.” Off-Broadway and regionalcredits include “Blood Brothers” (Best Actor Nomination), “Smoke onthe Mountain,” “Forever Plaid” (Connecticut Critic’s Circle Award),”One Man Band” with Academy Award-winner James Lecesne, the 25thAnniversary Production of “Pump Boys and Dinettes” (MetrolinaTheater Award and Charlotte Theater Award) and “Empire.”

Film and television credits include “Kinsey” directed by AcademyAward winner Bill Condon, “The Wright Verdicts” (CBS), Fame L.A.,Good Morning America and the Tony Awards (CBS).

He is also a writer and composer, in his own right. His firstplay, “Mississippi Sugar” was developed and produced at TheRepertory Theatre of St. Louis. Composer credits include “LuckySky,” “Monkey Shines,” “Hold,” “Jacob Sterling: For Crying OutLoud” and “There’s the Story,” a new play by Tim McCracken.

Redd teaches at New York University, The Atlantic TheaterCompany and is a teaching artist with Camp Broadway, BroadwayClassroom, Arts Horizons, DreamYard and the BRAVO Network’s “Onwith the Show.”

Redd has lived in New York City for the past 16 years. Althoughhe cannot imagine living anywhere else, his tastes are stillremarkably Southern.

“I’m just happy that there are so many restaurants here thatserve Southern food — I’ve found them all,” Redd says. “And thegood ones do know how to cook collard greens.”

Perhaps Redd’s favorite song recorded by Johnny Cash mightreveal a little more about this young man’s affinity for hishomeland.

“Without a doubt, my favorite song has always been ‘Jackson,'”Redd says.

For more information about “Ring of Fire” visit the Websitehttp://www.ringoffirethemusical.com