The lowdown on the musical, The Ballad of Johnny and June
The lowdown on the musical, The Ballad of Johnny and June
“This is the truth, and it’s never been out there before.”
Actors Christopher Ryan Grant and Christina Bianco talk to Ben Berman about touring the Johnny Cash and June Carter musical.
By Ben Berman
Image credit: Pamela Raith Photography
The Ballad of Johnny and June dives deeper than an average biographical musical, offering an insight into the complex marriage of Johnny Cash and June Carter. The production has been developed with John Carter Cash, the son of the country stars, and along with all the classic hits, the show reveals his parents’ lives as never told before.
Actors Christina Bianco (West End’s The Wizard of Oz) and Christopher Ryan Grant (Broadway’s The Thanksgiving Play) open up about the process of playing the revered Johnny Cash and June Carter…
Chris eagerly shares his love for Johnny Cash by holding up an aged, framed portrait of him. “I cut this out of the newspaper when I was 10 years old,” he says. Christopher grew up in Texas, where he notes that country music is a part of your identity. “There was a period where I wore cowboy jeans and boots to school every day. I went through a lot of phases, but that was one of them!”
Christina agrees. She finds that without Johnny Cash and June Carter, “we would not have or know country music the way we know it today.” She, too, loves the genre and even went to Nashville way back when to sing. She’s delighted to be in the production and speaks on the beauty of singing, “the music that I’ve sort of not been allowed to sing before in theatrical productions.”
The Ballad of Johnny and June’s priority has been to tell a nuanced, accurate story of Johnny Cash and June Carter. Christopher notes how, “obviously, we have movies like Walk the Line, … but even that doesn’t touch on some of the things that we touch on in this show.” How come? John Carter Cash has worked closely with the cast and creative team of the show, including director and playwright Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys, The Who’s Tommy) and co-writer Robert Cary (Summer: The Donna Summer Musical).
Christopher brings up the difficulties of playing a real and iconic person. “John told me years ago, ‘You’re never gonna be my dad.’” Christopher gulped and responded with “Oh, God!” “But that’s kind of freeing, you know? We get to be Chris and Christina stepping into these people as actors. And honestly, I think it makes the show better.” The musical features John Carter Cash as a character, who recounts his parents’ memories throughout the show. Chris talks about how, through John’s memories, “We learn about his [Johnny Cash’s] struggles with addiction. We learn about June’s struggles with addiction” through the lens of their son.
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Both Christopher and Christina feel deep gratitude to work with John on the production. The feeling seems to be mutual, as they’ve even been invited to stay at the Cash Cabin, the famous lodge that was converted to a music studio by Johnny Cash in 1979. Christopher talks about working with the son of the country stars, “John Carter is lovely. It’s a constant reminder about what we’re actually doing here in a very real and present way.” He talks about how John’s “been willing to open his family’s history up to us in a way that I don’t think has been done before.” The two performers don’t want any spoilers of the show, but John’s input allows for a raw and honest take. Christina adds on that, “This is the truth, and it’s never been out there before.”
Chris and Christina initially felt intense pressure to portray the musicians. “It’s impossible to live up to everyone’s expectations. So you have to focus on the little bits that you personally know you want to honour, and you want to try to emulate these icons as best you can, without trying to do an impression or be a carbon copy,” says Christina. Chris adds that casting has been key. He says, “[Christina] is a beautiful, charming, bright, bubbly, talented human being, just like June was. And I’m a sad, dirty old cuss of a hillbilly [like Johnny Cash].”
Christopher’s been attached to the production for a few years. He’s played Johnny Cash throughout production runs in both California and Canada. Christina and the rest of the UK touring cast joined Chris for the tour. The new members only had four weeks to rehearse before going into tech rehearsals. While a four-week rehearsal process seems daunting, Christina adds that, “the company rose to the occasion.”
The Ballad of Johnny and June is running throughout the summer and early September in the UK and Ireland. When asked about their favourite part of touring, the two said in unison, “the food.” Christina says, “We [always] plan a date for little Johnny and June to go get some good food.” Chris and Christina are particularly excited about their performance weekend in Richmond, and “not just because of Ted Lasso,” Christina says. “I love that I feel like I’m somewhere totally far away from central London when I’m actually quite close. I get to have a lovely time feeling like I’m somewhere special, yet I know a lot of the people who are gonna come to this theatre. It feels like family. I’m looking forward to Richmond. And the theatre is gorgeous.”
The duo is known for singing a rendition of Jackson a few whiskeys deep at local pubs. Christina jokes, “That may happen in Richmond, everyone.”
The show comes to Richmond in July, and Chris and Christina are delighted to share the heartfelt true story. Chris wants audiences to take away from the musical that “no matter what struggles you are dealing with currently or in the past, there’s somebody there who is willing to hold you through that… People come up to us constantly after, and say, ‘I came expecting a concert, and [now] I’m gonna go call my mom.’ I think it’s ultimately about love and redemption.”
Book tickets to the Richmond Theatre dates here
Richmond Theatre, Tue 7 Jul – Sat 11 Jul 2026
