Broadway performers work in a relatively small circle of professionals. If you are on the scene for any length of time, chances are that you will cross paths with some of your fellow artists on multiple occasions.
Matt Cusack and Allison Kelly were already acquainted when they were both cast in a stage show, “Ring of Fire,” about the music of Johnny Cash. They had worked together previously doing a concert of Peter, Paul and Mary songs.
They realized while doing “Ring of Fire” that they enjoyed working and making music together. So the Brooklyn residents formed a “country and swing” band called New Ohio, performing both covers and original songs live on stages from New York to Nashville.
Their latest project is called “Because You’re Mine,” which they bill as “a celebration of the great loves and love songs of country music.” The interactive concert is set for two nights at Passage Theatre in Trenton, Aug. 1 and 2 at 7 p.m. both nights.
The hourlong show will feature the music not only of Johnny Cash and June Carter but also George Jones and Tammy Wynette, Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn and more.
“We’re going to take you on a journey of the history of country music,” Kelly says. “We tell Johnny and June’s story maybe in a way you haven’t heard before.”
“There’s no shortage of drama with these country icons,” Matt adds.
“What we’re really excited about with this show is the connection between two people who love each other and share passion on and off the stage. The intimate nature of that in the juxtaposition of a very public persona and a very public life,” Kelly says.
Multi-instrumentalists Cusack and Kelly sing and play instruments including the guitar and banjo in the show.
“We love singing together, and we love performing together, but I think putting this show together was, ‘Let’s do a deep dive on something we both love and are really passionate about,” Kelly says.
Kelly, who grew up in rural Ohio, was already a big fan of classic country music when she was cast in the Johnny Cash show. “I learned to sing particularly country music from my grandmother. She loved Patsy Cline and George Jones,” Kelly says. “I have really fond memories of being at the piano with her, learning harmony, learning these songs. So I have a real connection to this material.”
Cusack grew up in Hamilton with mom Bonnie, dad David and brother Frank. He attended Nottingham High School before matriculating at University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where he studied jazz. He credits Nottingham music teacher Bob Gravener with setting him on a path toward professional music.
“Bob introduced me to my bass teacher, who was head of the bass department at U Arts,” Cusack says. “I was playing with college guys before I was out of high school.”
He auditioned for and was cast in a musical about Buddy Holly in New Hampshire. “Less than a year after I got out of college, I was in theater,” he says.
Since then he has done a variety of shows including “One Man Two Guvnors” with James Corden, “Bandstand” with Corey Cott and Laura Osnes, and “Robber Bridegroom” with Steve Pasquale, all on Broadway.
Kelly, meanwhile, is set to make her debut with the Public Theatre in the musical, “The Seat of Our Pants” this fall in New York.
Cusack and Kelly combined their home states of New Jersey and Ohio to come up with the name New Ohio. With the band they have recently released a self-titled EP. Some of the songs are available on their website.
Allison Kelly and Matt Cusack will be at Passage Theatre Aug. 1-2. (Photo by Priscilla Runion.),
