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The Cher Show (musical)

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The Cher Show
File:Cher-show-UK-poster.jpg
Poster for The Cher Show featuring Debbie Kurup
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

The Cher Show is a jukebox musical with a book by Rick Elice that tells the story of the early life and career of Cher. The musical had 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 from 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. A touring production has been 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.[6] However, as of April 2022, the tour has yet to begin.

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.[7] 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[8]).[9] 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.[10]

Premise

The musical shows three stages of Cher's life and uses three actresses to portray her: "Babe", "Lady", and "Star". Also portrayed are important people in her life, including Bob Mackie, Sonny Bono, and Cher's parents.[4] The musical includes songs from Cher's performing life, including "I Got You Babe", "The Beat Goes On" and "Gypsys, Tramps and Thieves".[11][12]

Cast

Character Workshop
(2017)[13] 		Chicago
(2018)[14] 		Broadway
(2018) 		Revised Character List[15] 2022 UK & Ireland Tour[16]
Star Lesli Margherita Stephanie J. Block Star Debbie Kurup
Lady Lena Hall Teal Wicks Lady Danielle Steers
Babe Jillian Mueller Micaela Diamond Babe Millie O'Connell
Sonny Bono Jarrod Spector Sonny Bono Lucas Rush
Bob Mackie/Robert Altman/Frank — Michael Berresse Bob Mackie Jake Mitchell
Rob Camilletti/Lee Michael Campayno Gregg Allman/Rob Camilletti/Phil Spector/John Southall Sam Ferriday
Gregg Allman/John Southall Matthew Hydzik Georgia Tori Scott
Georgia Holt/Lucille Ball Emily Skinner


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[17] 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[18] Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical Nominated
Distinguished Performance Award Stephanie J. Block Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Award[19] Outstanding Actress In a Musical Won
Outstanding Choreographer Christopher Gattelli Nominated
Outstanding Costume Design (Play or Musical) Bob Mackie Won
Theatre World Award[20] Outstanding Debut Performance Micaela Diamond Honoree
Chita Rivera Award[21] 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[22] 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. ^ a b 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. ^ Bailey-Millado, Rob (June 26, 2019). "'The Cher Show' announces closing date, national tour". New York Post.
  7. ^ "The Cher Show to tour UK & Ireland". Best of Theatre. May 21, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  8. ^ "Six". Broadway.com. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  9. ^ "Home". THE CHER SHOW. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  10. ^ "The Cher Show unveils complete company ahead of UK and Ireland tour | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  11. ^ "The Cher Show". thechershowbroadway.com.
  12. ^ Rizzo, Frank (December 3, 2018). "Broadway Review: 'The Cher Show'". Variety.
  13. ^ "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.
  14. ^ Evans, Greg (April 17, 2018). "Broadway-Bound 'The Cher Show' Finds Its Chers; Complete Casting Announced". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  15. ^ "Cher Show UK Cast List". CherOnStage. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  16. ^ "The Cher Show unveils complete company ahead of UK and Ireland tour". WhatsOnStage. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  17. ^ McIntyre, Hugh (April 25, 2019). "Drama Desk Award Nominations 2019: 'Oklahoma!,' 'Tootsie' Lead Nominees List". Forbes. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  18. ^ "THE 85th ANNUAL DRAMA LEAGUE AWARDS NOMINEES". Drama League Awards. Archived from the original on April 23, 2019. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  19. ^ Clement, Olivia (April 23, 2019). "Hadestown Leads 2019 Outer Critics Circle Nominations". Playbill. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  20. ^ McPhee, Ryan (May 2, 2019). "Jeremy Pope, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Bonnie Milligan, More Earn 2019 Theatre World Awards". Playbill. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  21. ^ R., Nathaniel. "Chita Rivera Awards, Cher and Film Choreography". thefilmexperience.net. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  22. ^ Bennett, Anita (September 24, 2019). "Casting Society Unveils 2019 TV & Theater Artios Awards Nominees". Deadline. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
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