‘The Cher Show’ — Book by Rick Elice. Original Broadway Production by Flody Suarez, Jeffrey Seller and Cher. Original Cher Costumes by Bob Mackie. Directed by Kevin P. Hill. Presented by North Shore Music Theatre, 54 Dunham Road, Beverly, through Nov. 2.
By Shelley A. Sackett
The Cher Show has a lot to offer those who love razzle-dazzle, energetic performances, vibrant costumes, and Cher, an Oscar, Emmy, and Grammy-winning New York Times best-selling author who has sold over a hundred million records. A portrayal of Cher’s life and career through three different actresses representing different stages of her life, the show spans seven decades of the resilient star’s career and features 35 of her biggest hits, including “Believe,” “Turn Back Time,” and “Strong Enough.”
For those who like dramatic depth, more than arms’-length emotion, and productions that run fewer than 3 hours, this might not be quite your cup of tea.
But if you just can’t get enough Cher, then The Cher Show will delight with not one, not two, but THREE Chers! Babe (Madeline Hudelson) is the 1950s/60s insecure, young Cher, pressured into a showbiz career by her pushy mother, Georgia (Angie Schworer); Lady (Charissa Hogeland) is the 1970s glamorous Sonny-and-Cher and movie star version, and Star (a show-stopping, Cher-channeling Sara Gettelfinger) is the iconic superstar, solo Cher of the 1980s through today.
Among the best scenes are those where the three Cher avatars are on stage together, arguing, dishing and basically enjoying each other’s company.
The fourth star, of course, are the Bob Mackie original costumes, many of which border on the downright scary, none of which is off-the-rack. When Sonny (an excellent Frankie Marasa 5th) tells Lady, “It’s all about the clothes, anyway,” and Star later concurs, “This outfit is the best thing in the show,” they could easily be describing the show within this show.
Essentially a jukebox musical, The Cher Show chronicles Cher’s life through the three actresses who play her at different stages. A trip down memory lane for those of us who remember our first color TVs, we get to relive the exciting originality of Sonny and Cher, he with his long hair, nasal whine and Napoleon stature, she with her long, thick tresses, deadpan humor and signature voice. He is controlling, savvy and entrepreneurial; she is sarcastic, fearful and desiring to please more than be pleased. She is ripe for exploitation, and Sonny is only too happy to comply.
The show tries to skip no phase of Cher’s life, from her post-Sonny romances with Gregg Allman (a spot-on Brenton Cosier) and Rob “Bagel Boy” Camilletti (Andrew Tufano) to her presenting the 1986 Oscar in a black spiky, feathery headdress and spiderweb bejeweled “bodice,” to her winning the best performance Oscar two years later for “Moonstruck.”
Neglecting daughter Chastity, coping with rejection, bankruptcy, and two divorces, and hitting bottom doing infomercials are all acknowledged, sometimes treated with the depth and focus of scenery out the window of a high-speed train. Nonetheless, there is much eye and ear candy.
Sara Andreas’ choreography is at times stirring and adventuresome, but even when it wanders into Meh territory, Rebecca Glick’s costume coordination and Milton Granger’s musical direction provide that feel-good vibe. And then, of course, there is the music, without which there would be no The Cher Show and probably no Cher.
Lady’s version of “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)” and its reprise with Lady, Star, and the ensemble is exciting with top-notch dancing, costumes, and a searing duet by Gettlefinger and Hogeland. Gregg’s “Midnight Rider/Ramblin’ Man” allows Cosier to let loose and strut his stuff. Star (Gettlefinger) is the real star of the show, however, and when she rips into her solos and duets, she brings the audience to its feet.
While more a vehicle for fan adulation than serious musical theater, The Cher Show knows its target audience, and they are only too delighted to soak it up and return the love.
For more information, visit https://www.nsmt.org
