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“Ring of Fire” | Depot Theatre | Westport, NY | August 20-September 6, 2026


  • Depot Theatre 6705 Main Street Westport, New York, 12993 United States (map)

Ring of Fire Brings the Music of Johnny Cash to Depot Theatre

Johnny Cash’s unmistakable songbook rolls into the Adirondacks this summer when Ring of Fire takes the stage at Depot Theatre in Westport, NY, from August 20 – September 6, 2026. Set inside Westport’s historic train station near the shores of Lake Champlain, the musical traces Cash’s life through the songs that made him one of American music’s most enduring figures.

This is more than a greatest-hits tribute concert. Created by Richard Maltby Jr. and conceived by William Meade, Ring of Fire uses Cash’s music to tell a story of love, struggle, faith, hard living and redemption — subjects the Man in Black knew something about.

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Johnny Cash takes the stage in the Adirondacks.

Ring of Fire draws from Cash’s extensive catalog, weaving together songs from across his career rather than relying on a conventional biographical script. The result is part musical theater, part concert and part American story.

Depot Theatre’s production features a small ensemble of actor-musicians performing the music live onstage. That approach should suit Cash particularly well: stripped down, immediate and more interested in the power of a song than theatrical excess.

The theater describes the production as moving from gospel roots to chart-topping hits, capturing a life lived close to the edge and ultimately shaped by music, connection and grit.

Johnny Cash vinyl record on a turntable.

Ring of Fire on vinyl.

Why Ring of Fire fits Depot Theatre in Westport.

There is something particularly appealing about hearing this music in an intimate theater rather than a cavernous concert hall.

Depot Theatre occupies the historic Westport train station, giving performances an unusual sense of place before the house lights even dim. The setting feels especially appropriate for Cash, whose music is filled with trains, travel, restless souls and Americans moving from one chapter of life to another.

For travelers exploring the Lake Champlain side of the Adirondacks, a performance can also anchor a day in the region. Westport sits within easy driving distance of Essex, Elizabethtown and Keene Valley, making Ring of Fire an easy addition to an eastern Adirondack getaway.

Go behind the scenes at Depot Theatre.

ADK Taste visited Depot Theatre on ADK Talks to explore what makes this small professional theater in Westport such an enduring part of the Adirondack arts scene. The conversation goes behind the curtain on producing professional theater in a historic train station — and why the experience of seeing a show here is unlike going to the theater just about anywhere else.

Listen: ADK Talks visits Depot Theatre in Westport

The episode offers a deeper look at Depot Theatre, its history and its role in the cultural life of the Lake Champlain region. For visitors considering Ring of Fire, it also provides some context for why the venue itself is part of the experience.

ADK Taste insight.

Johnny Cash’s music has survived changing tastes because it rarely depended on fashion in the first place. Songs about consequences, loneliness, love, faith and second chances have a stubbornly long shelf life.

Ring of Fire leans into that universality. Audiences do not need to know Cash’s biography — or own every album — to recognize the human territory his songs cover.

Who should see Ring of Fire.

Johnny Cash devotees are the obvious audience, but the production also makes a good bet for fans of Americana, country, folk and roots music, as well as theatergoers who prefer their musicals with a little grit under the fingernails.

The production is rated PG and includes adult themes, drug use related to Cash’s addiction, violence and murder.

ADK Taste recommendation.

Make Westport part of the experience rather than racing in just before curtain. Arrive early enough to enjoy the Lake Champlain setting and the village before settling into one of the Adirondacks’ most distinctive small theaters.

Mural depicting Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash

Because performance times vary by date, check Depot Theatre’s official website or Facebook page before heading out and purchase tickets in advance for the performance that best fits the trip.

Ring of Fire dates and performance times.

Ring of Fire runs August 20 – September 6, 2026, at Depot Theatre, 6705 Main Street in Westport.

Performances are scheduled for 5 pm Thursdays, 7 pm Fridays, 5 pm Saturdays and 3 pm Sundays. August 20 and 21 are preview performances, with opening night on Saturday, August 22. There are no Monday through Wednesday performances listed.

Ring of Fire FAQ.

When is Ring of Fire playing at Depot Theatre?‍ ‍

The production runs August 20 – September 6, 2026.

Where is Depot Theatre?‍ ‍

Depot Theatre is located at 6705 Main Street in Westport, NY, in the Lake Champlain region of the Adirondacks.

What is Ring of Fire about?‍ ‍

The musical tells a story inspired by Johnny Cash’s life, struggles and redemption through songs from his extensive catalog.

Is Ring of Fire a Johnny Cash tribute concert?‍ ‍

Not exactly. It uses Cash’s music as theatrical storytelling, performed by an ensemble of actor-musicians.

Is Ring of Fire appropriate for children?‍ ‍

The production is rated PG and includes adult themes, references to drug addiction, violence and murder. Families should consider those themes when deciding whether it is appropriate for younger theatergoers.

Where can visitors find tickets and schedule updates?‍ ‍

Visit the official Depot Theatre website or its Facebook page for tickets, current performance information and any schedule changes.

For more hand-picked ideas for what to see, taste and experience across the Adirondacks, subscribe to ADK Taste’s In Good Taste newsletter. It’s the weekly shortcut to Adirondack food, stories and events worth knowing about.


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