The Cher Show (musical)
The Cher Show | |
---|---|
Music | Various Artists |
Lyrics | Various Artists |
Book | Rick Elice |
Basis | The life and songs of Cher |
Premiere | June 12, 2018Oriental Theatre, Chicago, Illinois : |
Productions | 2018 Chicago 2018 Broadway |
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, in 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.
Productions
The Cher Show made its world premiere at the Oriental Theatre in Chicago, Illinois on June 12, 2018, officially 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, 2018.[2] Following its Chicago run, the musical opened on Broadway on November 1, 2018 in previews, and officially 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. 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 Rochester, New York in October 2020.[6]
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".[7][8]
Cast
Character | Workshop (2017)[9] | Chicago (2018)[10] | Broadway (2018) |
---|---|---|---|
Star | Lesli Margherita | Stephanie J. Block | |
Lady | Lena Hall | Teal Wicks | |
Babe | Jillian Mueller | Micaela Diamond | |
Sonny Bono | Jarrod Spector | ||
Bob Mackie/Robert Altman/Frank | — | Michael Berresse | |
Rob Camilletti/Lee | Michael Campayno | ||
Gregg Allman/John Southall | Matthew Hydzik | ||
Georgia Holt/Lucille Ball | Emily Skinner |
Musical numbers
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† Not featured on Original Broadway Cast Recording
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[11] | 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[12] | Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical | Nominated | ||
Distinguished Performance Award | Stephanie J. Block | Nominated | ||
Outer Critics Circle Award[13] | Outstanding Actress In a Musical | Won | ||
Outstanding Choreographer | Christopher Gattelli | Nominated | ||
Outstanding Costume Design (Play or Musical) | Bob Mackie | Won | ||
Theatre World Award[14] | Outstanding Debut Performance | Micaela Diamond | Honoree | |
Broadway.com Audience Choice Award[15] | Favorite New Musical | Nominated | ||
Favorite Leading Actress in a Musical | Stephanie J. Block | Nominated | ||
Favorite Diva Performance | Nominated | |||
Chita Rivera Award[16] | 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 | ||
Broadway World Theatre Fans' Choice Award[17] | Best Leading Actress in a Musical | Stephanie J. Block | Nominated | |
Best Costume Design | Bob Mackie | Nominated | ||
Artios Award[18] | New York Broadway Theatre - Musical | Bernie Telsey, Patrick Goodwin | Nominated |
References
- ^ a b Hetrick, Adam. " 'The Cher Show' Opens in Chicago Ahead of Fall Broadway Arrival" Playbill, June 28, 2018
- ^ Hetrick, Adam. "What Happened When The Cher Show Was Forced to Cancel Final Chicago Performance" Playbill, July 16, 2018. Retrieved on October 30, 2018.
- ^ a b McPhee, Ryan. "Micaela Diamond and Teal Wicks Join Stephanie J. Block as Title Role in 'The Cher Show', Full Cast Announced" Playbill, April 17, 2018
- ^ a b McPhee, Ryan. "Bob Mackie Will Create Costumes for Broadway's The Cher Show, Full Design Team Announced" Playbill, March 2018
- ^ "Cast" thechershowbroadway.com
- ^ Bailey-Millado, Rob. " The Cher Show Announces Closing Date" New York Post, June 26, 2019
- ^ The Cher Show thechershowbroadway.com
- ^ Rizzo, Frank. "Broadway Review: 'The Cher Show'" Variety, December 3, 2018
- ^ "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.
- ^ Evans, Greg (April 17, 2018). "Broadway-Bound 'The Cher Show' Finds Its Chers; Complete Casting Announced". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
- ^ "Drama Desk Award Nominations 2019: 'Oklahoma!,' 'Tootsie' Lead Nominees List". Forbes. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- ^ "THE 85th ANNUAL DRAMA LEAGUE AWARDS NOMINEES". Drama League Awards. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
- ^ "Hadestown Leads 2019 Outer Critics Circle Nominations". Playbill. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
- ^ "Jeremy Pope, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Bonnie Milligan, More Earn 2019 Theatre World Awards". Playbill. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
- ^ "Fan-Picked 2019 Broadway.com Audience Choice Award Nominations Announced; Be More Chill Leads With 12". Broadway.com. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
- ^ "Chita Rivera Awards, Cher and Film Choreography". thefilmexperience.net. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- ^ "Vote For BWW's Theatre Fans' Choice Awards: BE MORE CHILL Leads Best Ensemble!". broadwayworld.com. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
- ^ "Casting Society Unveils 2019 TV & Theater Artios Awards Nominees". deadline.com. Retrieved September 25, 2019.