CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The Man in Black is back…or, at least, a tribute to the man is.
That’s according to a release from the City of Cheyenne, which announced that the Folsom Prison Experience is coming to the Cheyenne Civic Center in April.
“Step back in time with Folsom Prison Experience: An Electrifying Johnny Cash Tribute Show at the Cheyenne Civic Center on Saturday, April 5, 2025,” the release states. “The iconic 1968 live recording, ‘At Folsom Prison,’ turned Johnny Cash into a crossover superstar, defying conventions and leaving a lasting legacy. Now, get ready to relive the unforgettable day of January 13, 1968, as Folsom Prison Experience takes the stage — an immersive tribute drama that merges live concert, stage drama, and audience participation to bring you into the heart of Johnny Cash’s legendary musical journey.”
The release promises that audiences will be transported back in time and will bear witness to “captivating performances of Johnny Cash, June Carter, and the Statler Brothers, as if you were part of that iconic event. Dubbed a ‘full contact immersive tribute drama,’ this musical extravaganza promises to be an experience like no other.”
The production is coming from the Church of Cash, a Johnny Cash tribute show led by performer Jay Ernest, who plays the Man in Black. The Folsom Prison Experience was written by Ernest and his collaborator, Tom Pickard.
The release notes that this show is a personal and professional milestone for Ernest.
“I have spent years studying the history and music of Johnny Cash,” Ernest shares, “and it is a great honor to bring that historic day in Folsom Prison to theater enthusiasts and Johnny Cash fans alike.”
In addition to Ernest playing Cash, the cast includes Kat Perkins as June Carter, Dan Hopman at The Warden, Ryan Maddux as Emcee Hugh Cherry and Bronson Bergson as Glen Shirley/Carl Perkins. The show also features a variety of actors playing prison guards and the Statler Brothers.
The show is directed by Stephanie Long, and Tom Pickard serves as the technical director.
“Writing Folsom Prison Experience was a two-month labor of love for Ernest and Pickard, drawing from a wealth of historical sources and folklore to craft an inclusive and authentic portrayal of that pivotal day,” the release states. “The incorporation of songs from Cash’s second live-in-a-prison album, ‘At San Quentin,’ adds another layer of depth to this extraordinary stage production.”
The show is happening on Saturday, April 5. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at cheyennepresents.com.
