The Cher Show
Three Chers Teal Wicks, Stephanie J. Block, Micaela Diamond Photo credit: Joan Marcus
The Cher Show dazzles in many areas. First the costumes are simply breathtaking. Designed by the iconic Bob Mackie (who designed for Cher throughout her career) the Tony nomination for costume design is a lock.
Then, there’s the choreography by Tony winning Christopher Gattelli. His work is always inventive and energetic, and the dancing is top notch. There is one number that features a solo dancer and it is also breathtaking.
Cher Stephanie J. Block. Photo: Joan Marcus
The three women who play Cher at various stages of her life are all wonderful, but the main Cher (and the oldest) played by Stephanie J. Block, is stunning. She is totally in control and at ease as she depicts the legendary performer. This veteran Broadway performer’s voice is amazing. Block is the whole package, and even resembles Cher.
Sonny and Cher Jarrod Spector and Micaela Diamond. Photo: Joan Marcus
Playing Sonny, Jarrod Spector is another great addition to the show. Spector is adorable and sounds like Sonny Bono.
Now, these are all the good things about the Cher Show.
What is severely lacking though is the arc of the story. With book by Rick Elice, Cher’s story is told through the lens of all three Chers at once, causing the narrative to be a bit wonky and even cheesy. There are some chuckles, and even some poignant moments, but overall the biggest problem with this musical is the story line. Still, Cher fans will be satisfied to hear the songs (35 in the show) they adore so much, and to see them performed in such a fabulous manner.
The Cher Show, directed by Jason Moore, is entertaining and fun and sometimes you can’t help but get swept up in Cher’s fierceness. https://thechershowbroadway.com/
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Valerie Smaldone is a 5-time Billboard Magazine Award winner and is well known for her unprecedented success holding the #1 on-air position in the New York radio market on 106.7 Life-FM, an iHeart station. She has hosted, produced, and created several award-winning nationally syndicated programs featuring in-depth interviews with stars like Paul McCartney, Celine Dion, Rod Stewart, Elton John and Mariah Carey among others. Her radio talk show "Bagels and Broadway" highlighted theatre and food personalities. She is an accomplished interviewer and voice artist heard on commercials, narrations, promos and audiobooks, as well as a sought after live announcer.
Most recently, Valerie produced and directed a film, The Thursday Night Club, featuring pop diva Gloria Gaynor in her movie acting debut. She is one of the creators and producers of a docu-series, Divine Renovation, starring Erik Estrada, on streaming networks soon.
