Duets That Define Love

This holiday season, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park invites you to celebrate the holidays in more than one way. For those who cherish tradition, A Christmas Carol returns to Moe and Jack’s Place – The Rouse Theatre. And for those looking for something musical, Because You’re Mine, a heartfelt tribute to the great loves and love songs of country music, takes the Rosenthal Shelterhouse stage. Created by Matt Cusak and Allison Kelly, who were last seen at the Playhouse in the 2023 production of Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash, this new show shines the spotlight on legendary duets of country icons such as Johnny Cash and June Carter, George Jones and Tammy Wynette, Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn and more. Cusak will perform in the upcoming production with Erica Swindle

We asked the co-creators about the inspiration behind the music and the making of Because You’re Mine.

What is your personal connection to country music?

Allison Kelly: Growing up in rural Ohio, country music has always felt like home to me. I remember listening to Patsy Cline and George Jones with my grandma, and of course in the ‘90s, I’d listen to Shania and The Chicks. I learned to play the banjo on my mom’s front porch and still get some friends together to play bluegrass every time I go home to visit.

Matt Cusak: Even though I grew up in New Jersey, the first cassette tape I owned was Alan Jackson’s “Don’t Rock the Juke Box.” I think it was a hand me-down from my brother. Then I went to school for jazz and fell in love with complicated music. Now that I’ve come back to it, I’ve not only found beauty in its simplicity, but I’ve also discovered Western swing which brings it all together — great story songs with fun chord changes and a style of crooning that doesn’t get enough attention. The Tennessee Ernie Fords of the world need more love!

What is your favorite song in the show and what do you love about it?

A: It’s really fun to sing songs that folks will know: “Jackson,” “I Will Always Love You,” “Help Me Make It Through the Night.” These songs can really take you back to a certain special time in your life. But we also love to introduce the audiences to new music. There’s a poem Johnny Cash wrote called “To June This Morning” that Kacey Musgraves and Ruston Kelly set music to, and it’s so beautiful and simple. Hearing from Johnny Cash, a person we feel like we know so well, in a new way is really thrilling.

M: “I’ll Never be Free” by Tennessee Ernie Ford and Kay Starr. It’s sung in harmony for basically the whole tune, and it sits in a great spot for both voices. Plus, it’s got that great Western swing crooning feel going on that I could live in all day.

What has the reaction been like from people who have seen the show so far?

A: One of our favorite things that has been said to us after the show is, "I didn’t think I liked country music! But I liked every song you played!” The show is intimate; there are just two of us on stage with six instruments and no backing tracks. With that setup, you really hear the lyrics and the musicianship. These songs have stood the test of time; all you need, as they say, is three chords and the truth.

How do you see Because You’re Mine fitting into the spirit of the holiday season?

A: This music is about being together with the ones that you love most and appreciating the simple things of life. I think the music we play about love and family will be a great addition to your holiday playlists!

M: That said, we might be adding extra holiday cheer into the show to make the run extra special!