Review: THE CHER SHOW at Van Wezel

Cher, the pop-icon, diva, actress, fashion icon, winner of over 300+ awards, including an Emmy, Grammy, and Oscar, is now a Broadway Musical! “The Cher Show” tells the story of Cher’s 60-year boundary breaking career. Cher has lived such a full life (and still rocking) that it takes 3 women to play her. Performing 35 of her songs over the course of the show, they interact and support each other onstage to tell one woman’s life story.

The Cher Show had its world premiere at the Oriental Theater in Chicago in June 2018. After this run it began previews on Broadway in November 2018 and ran until August 2019, running for over 300 performances.  The show won 2 Tony Awards, one for Stephanie Brock (best lead actress in a musical) and one for Bob Mackie for Costume Design.

And those costumes shine in this touring production of The Cher Show! Some of us remember when she was on “The Sonny and Cher Show” and others can recall when all the dance clubs were constantly blaring out her ballads. Others were amused by her slapping Nicolas Cage and famously saying “Snap out of it”. One thing we can all remember is her shocking Bob Mackie ensembles, whether it was barely there or with a crown of hair! She has set so many countless fashion trends even before she was working with the top designers, and she has never shied away from standing out.

Starting as a young girl in California, she was always different from all the other girls, aka not blond! It was only once she was exposed to music and recognized her differences as strengths that fear became a motivator. Transitions from each stage in her life, from the shy young woman to the playful Cher of “Sonny and Cher”, to “Star”, we see the metamorphosis of a “Goddess Warrior with Wings”.  “Goddess Warrior”, as Cher refers to herself through the show, is a very simple and elegant way to state exactly what Cher grows up to be!

The Cher’s can turn any negative to a positive. At one point Cher is told to just be pretty and that her role on tv was just about the clothes. With this in mind she turns to her friend Bob and a whole montage of his fantastic creations are paraded by the entire ensemble while Mackie and the Cher’s sing “Ain’t Nobody’s Business”. It was completely ostentatious and over the top! And you can see here why this show won the Tony for Best Costumes!

“Star”, Morgan Scott’s Cher role is hands down perfect! Her intonation, singing voice, and potty-mouth, was stunningly akin to Cher. If  you closed your eyes, you would think Cher herself was there! The spunky young Cher who is played by Ella Perez comes out gawky and uncomfortable and by the end she admires herself and what she has become. It seems that anyone who sees this show would become an enthusiast of Cher- this show highlights how strong, resilient and for lack of a better term, human Cher is. With her sassy attitude, and out-spoken ways she has triumphed.  She led the way for many women after her and can be traced as a hero to many a diva that walked in her footsteps.

The Cher Show is at Van Wezel until January 12th. Tickets are still available.

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