The Ballad of Johnny & June musical reveals lead tour cast

Lead casting has been announced for the new musical The Ballad of Johnny & June, which will tour the UK and Ireland in 2026.

The production features songs made famous by Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, including “I Walk the Line”, “Ring of Fire”, “Hey Porter”, “Jackson” and “I’ve Been Everywhere.” It has previously enjoyed runs at La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego and Canada’s Citadel Theatre.

Directed by two-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff, whose previous credits include Jersey Boys, The Who’s Tommy and Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, the show opens at Bromley’s Churchill Theatre on 2 March 2026 before visiting more than 20 theatres across the UK and Ireland.

Told through the perspective of their son, John Carter Cash, The Ballad of Johnny & June explores the relationship between the two musicians, whose partnership shaped much of 20th-century country music. Johnny Cash sold over 90 million records worldwide and received 13 Grammy Awards, while June Carter Cash won five Grammy Awards across her career. The pair married in 1968 and remained together until June’s death in 2003.

Christopher Ryan Grant will reprise his acclaimed performance as Johnny Cash. He’ll be joined by Christina Bianco, who stars as June Carter Cash. Further cast and creative team are to be revealed.

The tour begins in Bromley on 2 March and will visit Cardiff, Dublin, Brighton, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Wycombe, Southend, Newcastle, Salford, Plymouth, Bradford, Richmond, Hull, Blackpool, York, Belfast, Glasgow, Eastbourne, Canterbury, Southampton and Leeds, running until 19 September 2026.