The Cher Show (musical)

The Cher Show
Opening Night Broadway Playbill
MusicVarious Artists
LyricsVarious Artists
BookRick Elice
BasisThe life and songs of Cher
PremiereJune 12, 2018 (2018-06-12): Oriental Theatre, Chicago, Illinois
Productions2018 Chicago
2018 Broadway
2022 UK Tour
2023 US Tour

The Cher Show is a jukebox musical with a book by Rick Elice that tells the story of the life and career of Cher, using songs that she performed throughout her career. The part of Cher is played by three actresses: one portraying her in the 1950s and 60s (nicknamed "Babe"), one for the 1970s (nicknamed "Lady"), and one for the 1980s and 90s (nicknamed "Star"). The three interact with each other and help each other out at various points.

The musical had a Lab in the Fall of 2017 in NYC, followed by its world premiere at the Oriental Theatre, Chicago, on June 12, 2018, and opened on Broadway in December 2018. The Original Cast Album was released on digital platforms on April 12, 2019, and was released to physical CD on May 10, 2019. The Cher Show played its final Broadway performance on August 18, 2019. An overhauled production launched at the Leicester Curve in April 2022, before embarking on a UK tour.

Original Broadway production

The Cher Show made its world premiere at the Oriental Theatre in Chicago, Illinois on June 12, 2018, and officially opened its out of town try-out on June 28 and ran until July 14.[1] The final performance experienced technical difficulties and forced the show to close one day early, on July 14 (Instead of July 15), 2018.[2] Following its Chicago run, the musical began previews on Broadway on November 1, 2018, and officially opened on December 3, 2018, at the Neil Simon Theatre.[1][3]

The musical's book is by Rick Elice, direction by Jason Moore, choreography by Christopher Gattelli,[3] and orchestrations, arrangements and musical supervision by Daryl Waters and additional orchestrations by Steve Orich. Cher's longtime costumer Bob Mackie is the costume designer, with set designers Christine Jones and Brett J. Banakis, lighting designer Kevin Adams, and sound designer Nevin Steinberg.[4] The producers of the show are Jeffrey Seller, Flody Suarez and Cher.[5]

The Cher Show won Tony Awards for Stephanie J. Block (Lead Actress in a Musical) and for Bob Mackie (Costume Design for a Musical).

The Cher Show ended its run on Broadway on August 18, 2019, having played 34 previews and 296 regular performances.

2022/2023 UK tour

In May 2021, a new touring production was announced in the UK and Ireland from April 2022 to April 2023 directed by Arlene Phillips and featuring choreography from Oti Mabuse.[6] Casting for the tour will include Millie O'Connell as Babe, Danielle Steers as Lady and Debbie Kurup as Star. The show will differ from the Broadway production with modifications to the show's music, Rick Elice's book, and the costumes; which will be redesigned by Gabriella Slade (Six[7]).[8] It also has set design by Tom Rogers, lighting design by Ben Cracknell, sound design by Dan Samson, wigs, hair and make-up design by Sam Cox, music production by Gary Hickeson, musical supervision by Rich Morris.[9]

2023/2024 US tour

A US touring production was announced to premiere in 2021 after the original launch date of October 2020 in Rochester, New York was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[10] In September 2023 it was announced that a national tour would finally begin in November. The tour will be a non-union production. It will be directed by Casey Hushion and choreographed by Antoinette DiPietropolo, scenic design by Kelly James Tighe, lighting design by Charlie Morrison, sound design by Daniel Lundberg, and video design by Jonathan Infante. Costumes for the tour will again be by Bob Mackie. The first national tour will star Ella Perez as early career Babe Cher, Catherine Ariale as glam pop Lady Cher, and Morgan Scott as cultural icon Star Cher. They will be joined by Mike Bindeman as Gregg Allman/John Southall, Tyler Pirrung as Bob Mackie/Robert Altman/Frank, Lucy Werner as Georgia Holt/Lucille Ball, and Lorenzo Pugliese as Sonny Bono. Rounding out the cast are Emma Alteri, Michelle Arotsky, Neftali Benitez, Charles Blaha, Gary Paul Bowman, Emma Jade Branson, Kevin Michael Buckley, Samantha Butts, Liz Davis, Mollie Downes, Jordan Gold, Nathan Hoty, Tre Kanaley, Drew Lake, Mason Derreck Lewis, and Grace Napoletano.

[11][12][13][14]

Principal casts

Character Workshop
(2017)[15] 		Chicago
(2018)[16] 		Broadway
(2018) 		UK & Ireland tour
(2022–23) [17] 		Maine
(2022) 		Long Island
(2022) 		First US Tour
(2023–24)
Star Lesli Margherita Stephanie J. Block Debbie Kurup Sara Gettelfinger Aléna Watters Morgan Scott
Lady Lena Hall Teal Wicks Danielle Steers Charissa Hogeland Catherine Ariale
Babe Jillian Mueller Micaela Diamond Millie O'Connell Madeline Hudelson Ella Perez
Sonny Bono Jarrod Spector Lucas Rush Dino Nicandros Lorenzo Pugliese
Bob Mackie/Robert Altman/Frank* Christopher Sieber Michael Berresse Jake Mitchell David Engel Tyler Pirrung
Rob Camilletti/Lee** Bobby Conte Thorton Michael Campayno Sam Ferriday Zack Zaromatidis Alexander Ríos Gary Paul Bowman
Gregg Allman/John Southall** Unknown Matthew Hydzik Matthew Hydzik John Rochette Mike Bindeman
Georgia Holt/Lucille Ball*** Haven Burton Emily Skinner Tori Scott Angie Schworer Lucy Werner
^* Role changed to solely Bob Mackie for UK/Ireland tour[18]
^** Characters combined into single role of Gregg Allman/Rob Camilletti/Phil Spector/John Southall for UK/Ireland tour[18] Role changed to solely Rob Camilletti for US tour
^*** Role changed to solely Georgia Holt for UK/Ireland tour[18]

Musical numbers

Broadway production

† Not featured on Original Broadway Cast Recording

2022 UK Tour

Songs listed as they appear in the official set list.

Finale (Medley comprising, in order, "Believe", "Strong Enough", "Woman's World", "Dov'è L'amore", "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)", "I Found Someone", and "Believe".)

Awards and nominations

Original Broadway production

Year Award Category Nominee Result
2019 Tony Award Best Actress in a Musical Stephanie J. Block Won
Best Costume Design of a Musical Bob Mackie Won
Best Lighting Design of a Musical Kevin Adams Nominated
Drama Desk Award[19] Outstanding Actress in a Musical Stephanie J. Block Won
Outstanding Orchestrations Daryl Waters Nominated
Outstanding Costume Design for a Musical Bob Mackie Won
Outstanding Wig and Hair Design Charles G. LaPointe Won
Drama League Award[20] Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical Nominated
Distinguished Performance Award Stephanie J. Block Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Award[21] Outstanding Actress In a Musical Won
Outstanding Choreographer Christopher Gattelli Nominated
Outstanding Costume Design (Play or Musical) Bob Mackie Won
Theatre World Award[22] Outstanding Debut Performance Micaela Diamond Honoree
Chita Rivera Award[23] Ambassadors for the Arts Award Cher, Flody Squarez, Jeffery Seller Honorees
Outstanding Ensemble in a Broadway Show Nominated
Outstanding Female Dancer in a Broadway Show Ashley Blair Fitzgerald Won
Artios Award[24] New York Broadway Theatre - Musical Bernie Telsey, Patrick Goodwin Nominated

References

  1. ^ a b Hetrick, Adam (June 29, 2018). "The Cher Show Opens in Chicago Ahead of Fall Broadway Arrival". Playbill.
  2. ^ Hetrick, Adam (July 16, 2018). "What Happened When The Cher Show Was Forced to Cancel Final Chicago Performance". Playbill. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  3. ^ a b McPhee, Ryan (April 17, 2018). "Micaela Diamond and Teal Wicks Join Stephanie J. Block as Title Role in The Cher Show, Full Cast Announced". Playbill.
  4. ^ McPhee, Ryan (March 14, 2018). "Bob Mackie Will Create Costumes for Broadway's The Cher Show, Full Design Team Announced". Playbill.
  5. ^ "Cast". thechershowbroadway.com.
  6. ^ "The Cher Show to tour UK & Ireland". Best of Theatre. May 21, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  7. ^ "Six". Broadway.com. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  8. ^ "Home". THE CHER SHOW. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  9. ^ "The Cher Show unveils complete company ahead of UK and Ireland tour | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. March 15, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  10. ^ Bailey-Millado, Rob (June 26, 2019). "'The Cher Show' announces closing date, national tour". New York Post.
  11. ^ Wild, Stephi. "THE CHER SHOW Will Kick Off National Tour in November". Broadway World.
  12. ^ Masseron, Meg. "The Cher Show Will Embark on National Tour This Fall". Playbill.
  13. ^ "Ella Perez, Catherine Ariale, and Morgan Scott to Star in The Cher Show National Tour".
  14. ^ Wild, Stephi. "Cast Set For the Non-Equity National Tour of THE CHER SHOW". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  15. ^ "Yes, We Believe in Life After Love! Lesli Margherita, Lena Hall & Jillian Mueller Led a Reading of t…". New York Broadway Tours. January 21, 2017. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  16. ^ Evans, Greg (April 17, 2018). "Broadway-Bound 'The Cher Show' Finds Its Chers; Complete Casting Announced". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  17. ^ "The Cher Show unveils complete company ahead of UK and Ireland tour". WhatsOnStage. March 15, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  18. ^ a b c "Cher Show UK Cast List". CherOnStage. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  19. ^ McIntyre, Hugh (April 25, 2019). "Drama Desk Award Nominations 2019: 'Oklahoma!,' 'Tootsie' Lead Nominees List". Forbes. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  20. ^ "THE 85th ANNUAL DRAMA LEAGUE AWARDS NOMINEES". Drama League Awards. Archived from the original on April 23, 2019. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  21. ^ Clement, Olivia (April 23, 2019). "Hadestown Leads 2019 Outer Critics Circle Nominations". Playbill. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  22. ^ McPhee, Ryan (May 2, 2019). "Jeremy Pope, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Bonnie Milligan, More Earn 2019 Theatre World Awards". Playbill. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  23. ^ R., Nathaniel. "Chita Rivera Awards, Cher and Film Choreography". thefilmexperience.net. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  24. ^ Bennett, Anita (September 24, 2019). "Casting Society Unveils 2019 TV & Theater Artios Awards Nominees". Deadline. Retrieved September 25, 2019.