Fun, Full-Hearted, and Fabulous: Broward Center’s ‘The Cher Show’

There’s no doubt that Cher is the definition of a triple threat: actor, dancer, singer—often described as “The Goddess of Pop,” she’s truly a cultural icon for the ages. Therefore, it’s only fitting that three talented stars band together to tell the story of her life and career. And that is exactly what happens in the Tony-winning musical The Cher Show, which celebrated its opening night at the Broward Center on November 19 (fittingly enough, the same date that Part One of Cher’s long-awaited memoir hit shelves). Directed by Casey Hushion, with a book by Rick Elice, The Cher Show takes the audience on an unforgettable (and catchy!) journey through time, co-led by three very different, yet equally fantastic, versions of Cher herself: Babe (Ella Perez), Lady (Catherine Ariale), and Star (Morgan Scott). With musical numbers made up of Cher’s greatest hits (“If I Could Turn Back Time,” “Believe,” “Song for the Lonely,” “Strong Enough,” and so many more), the show will have you dancing in your seat, whether you are a Cher novice or a diehard fan.

Babe (Perez) introduces the audience to Cher in the 1950s and 60s, when Cherilyn Sarkisian first became Cher. In her multifaceted performance, Ella Perez captures both the wide-eyed innocence of a young girl who just wants to sing, and the undeniable strength and ambition Babe Cher harnesses, despite the many difficulties and setbacks she faced in her early life. As shown early on in the musical, Babe’s parents were divorced when she was a child, and Cher and her mother faced poverty and instability in their home life. School wasn’t quite easy for the painfully shy Babe, either—dyslexia made it difficult for her to work on her assignments, and she was bullied by some of her classmates for looking and acting “different.” Still, Georgia Holt (Kristin Rose Kelleher) reminds Babe to “let the song make her strong.” She clearly heeds this reminder—before long, Sonny (Lorenzo Pugliese) and Cher are an unstoppable duo, topping the charts worldwide. Lady (Ariale) takes over in the 70s, when Cher solidified her place in the entertainment industry as the glamorous pop icon she is widely known and loved as today. Feeling like the success she’d earned was precarious, and contending with her fraught marriage to Sonny, Lady Cher fights to define fame and accomplishment on her own terms. Catherine Ariale’s Lady is sharp and strong-willed, making the audience laugh with her quick-witted remarks. Yet she’s also able to captivate showgoers with her vulnerability, as she struggles with making time for herself and her family outside of her career. The 80s and 90s bring about Star Cher (Scott), an unapologetic, confident diva who’s been through it all—and not only lived to tell the tale, but thrived. Morgan Scott truly embodies the heart and star quality of Cher, from her singing voice to her mannerisms. Scott’s Star carries the wisdom of an older version of oneself, who’s learned and grown as a person, along with the empathy of someone who can look back on previous versions of themself with appreciation and fondness. All three women give standout performances, and shine in their own unique ways.

However, beyond those individual performances, and the wonderful side performances by stars including Pugliese and Kelleher, the show truly sparkles in the moments where the three leads interact with each other, which happens frequently throughout. Perez, Ariale, and Scott all have wonderful chemistry, and their onstage dynamic really speaks to a clear strength of The Cher Show as a whole. Having three versions of Cher unite to tell her story highlights what it means to evolve as a person, how people change and stay the same throughout their lives. To be young and a dreamer, excited and ready to take on the world. To be old enough to know that things don’t always work out the way you want them to, but young enough to understand that that shouldn’t stop you from living up to your full potential. To age and realize that the power to be the person you wanted to be, was within you all along. While not many of us can relate to having quite the same level of stardom and recognition as Cher does, those ideas are undeniably universal.

Another highlight of The Cher Show? Its costume design. Bob Mackie, who also makes an appearance in the show itself (played by Tyler Pirrung), does such impressive work as Costume Designer (a position he continues on tour, after designing for the Original Broadway Production as well), that he even won a Tony for it. It’s easy to see why, as the production’s costumes truly dazzle from start to finish. (This is even highlighted in the show, when Cher is at one point advised to embrace “excess” in her life, and she quips, “Have you seen my costumes?”) From feathers to rhinestones and everything in between, each piece lends something special to the story. The lighting and set design, headed by Charlie Morrison and Kelly James Tighe respectively, also steal the show, fully immersing the audience in Cher’s world. One moment, you’re at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre with Babe, watching Cinderella; the next, you’re on the set of The Sonny & Cher Show with Lady; the next, you’re onstage with Star as she accepts her Best Actress Oscar for Moonstruck. Another standout moment in this regard was the show’s finale number, a medley of Cher’s greatest hits, which, aided by the amazing Costume, Lighting, and Set Designers, and the show-stopping work of Choreographer Antoinette DiPietropolo and Sound Designer Daniel Lundberg, truly gives off the infectious energy of a Cher concert, Fort Lauderdale being yet another stop on her famous world tour. From choreography to costume design, the crew’s hard work takes The Cher Show to new heights.

Needless to say, The Cher Show is an absolute must-see. With its immersive format, incredible performances by the cast, and impressive work by the crew, this is undoubtedly a musical to remember! And if you don’t have at least one Cher song stuck in your head by the end of the show…well, you just might want to see The Cher Show again (we know you won’t regret it).

The Cher Show runs through November 24 at the Broward Center’s Au-Rene Theater. Purchase your tickets here.

The post Fun, Full-Hearted, and Fabulous: Broward Center’s ‘The Cher Show’ appeared on South Florida Theater.