Johnny Cash tribute comes to Rosebud

By Melissa Piche Times Contributor

Rosebud Theatre & School of the Arts is kicking off its 2026 season with a musical celebration of an icon, the Man in Black himself: Johnny Cash.

From March 19-28, Rosebud will host An Evening with Johnny Cash, a tribute concert featuring Alberta-born performer Devon Brayne, a Betty Mitchell Award winner for his portrayal of Johnny Cash. The multi-venue show run takes place in the Rosebud Opera House, where patrons can enjoy a buffet dinner followed by the performance.

Brayne first connected with Cash’s music at a young age, drawn in by the depth of his voice and a haunting version of ‘Hurt.’

“I started playing guitar around 16 or 17, right after my voice dropped,” Brayne said. “I got turned onto Johnny through his Nine Inch Nails cover of ‘Hurt.’ For whatever reason, my dad was confused as to why his 17-year-old son could emulate a 71-year-old man so accurately.”

It wasn’t until Brayne appeared in Million Dollar Quartet in 2018 that his career portraying Cash truly took off. Since then, he has crafted his own musical biography of the Man in Black, balancing vocal authenticity with personal interpretation.

“You’re trying to distinguish yourself amongst a highly saturated market,” Brayne explained. “There are many Johnny Cashes that are great and brilliant at what they do. It’s a matter of trying to distinguish who I am as a Johnny performer.”

At Rosebud, that distinction is intentional.

“I’m using the Rosebud show to strip things down, make it more accessible, more intimate, less of a super showy rock concert style,” he said. “The community view of Rosebud and the theatre itself lends itself to a more intimate night.”

The performance will feature roughly 20 to 25 songs, spanning Cash’s early Arkansas roots through his most famous hits, including selections from Folsom Prison Blues and Man in Black, interspersed with storytelling about Cash’s life and Brayne’s own musical journey.

For Rosebud’s Marketing Coordinator, Hayley Rosenau, the pairing of performer and venue feels natural.

“With Johnny Cash, he’s such a classic. And Rosebud’s a bit of a classic,” Rosenau said. “I think you get a classic Rosebud experience and then you get to experience Johnny Cash.”

Artistic Director Craig Hall describes the show as a first for the theatre.

“We’ve never actually put one of these together,” Hall said. “This is the first time we’ve actually done one of these, so we’re pretty excited about it.”

Dinner service begins before each performance, creating the signature Rosebud destination theatre experience that draws visitors from across southern Alberta.

“You can come and have a beautiful meal, go over to the theatre and have a beautiful show, and then you’re on your way home,” Hall said. “It’s the place as much as it is about a particular show.”

Ticket to the show, which includes a buffet meal and the show are $95 for adults, $70 for youth ages 13-17 and $60 for ages 12 and under.

Visit RosebudTheatre.com or call 1-800-267-7553 to reserve seats.