Man in Black returns to the Opera House

Australian Rock legend Tex Perkins will be taking to the Opera House stage this month for a limited season with the Johnny Cash tribute show The Man In Black.

Written by Australian theatrical producer Jim McPherson, who confesses to a 40-year fascination with the wildly unpredictable star, The Man In Black is two hours of Cash’s greatest hits interwoven with the story of his rise to stardom, fight for survival and eventual redemption

Earlier this year, the producer of The Man in Black, Simon Myers, put his production company Bold Jack Pty Ltd into voluntary liquidation, owing creditors just over $1 million, but Perkins was quick to distance his show from his producer’s financial crisis, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald recently.

“So, yeah, everyone [in our show] got paid” Perkins told the SMH.

“I am not defending [the company Bold Jack] one tiny bit” he said.

It is understood that artists and arts administrators working on Bold Jack’s other tribute shows, including Cry Me A River – The World of Julie London (starring Rhonda Burchmore) are among Myers’ creditors.

Tex Perkins, however is soldering on, hailed by the Herald Sun as “one of the wildest and most electrifying front men in rock”, her will lead The Tennessee Four in a night of music featuring more 24 of Cash’s hit songs including Ring of Fire, I Walk the Line, Folsom Prison Blues, Sunday Mornin’ Coming Down, Get Rhythm, A Boy Named Sue and Hey Porter.

Cash, who died in 2003, was one of America’s most influential country music stars, selling over 50 million records in his lifetime. Over a long career covered a range of genres, including rockabilly, rock ‘n’ roll, blues, folk and gospel.

The Man In Black is playing at The Playhouse, Sydney Opera House from 10 to 22 April.