Williams Street Repertory season bookended by Johnny Cash, Elvis musicals

On Friday, Williams Street Repertory announced a pair of jukebox musicals will bookend its 2018-2019 season.

The season begins July 6 in Crystal Lake with "Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash," which chronicles the highs and lows of the man responsible for such hits as "I Walk the Line" and "Folsom Prison Blues." Founding artistic director Richard Kuranda directs.

That's followed by the premiere of Deborah Yarchun's romantic drama "Bomber's Moon" (Sept. 28-Oct. 21), which had a reading at WSR last summer. Set during World War II's London Blitz, it centers on an American socialite who seeks shelter in an abandoned music shop with a member of Britain's working class.

The season continues with "Emma! A Pop Musical" (March 29-April 20, 2019). Metropolis Performing Arts Centre's Robin Hughes directs the play about a prep-school student determined to play matchmaker for her classmates. Based on Jane Austen's novel "Emma," the show features music by iconic female singers and girl groups.

Next up is "The Elephant Man" (May 3-19, 2019), Bernard Pomerance's 1977 drama inspired by the life of John Merrick, a 19th-century British man who suffered rare skin and bone diseases and who worked in a traveling side show. Abandoned in London, he meets a young physician who helps transform him into a celebrated member of society.

WSR's season concludes with "All Shook Up" (June 28-Aug. 4, 2019). A jukebox tuner set in 1955, it features such Elvis Presley hits as "Heartbreak Hotel," "Jailhouse Rock" and "Don't Be Cruel."

Performances take place at Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake.

Membership to the Raue Center starts at $50 and includes ticket discounts among other benefits. WSR tickets are $35.50 for nonmembers and $24.85 for members. RaueNOW members can purchase tickets beginning at noon Thursday, May 3. (815) 356-9212 or wsrep.org.