Theater Review: 'The Cher Show' Tour at The Bushnell

Review by Nancy Sasso Janis

“The Beat Goes On”

In its Connecticut premiere, The Big League Productions, Inc. production of “The Cher Show a new musical” tour is welcoming spring at The Bushnell through March 10. This is a non-union production.

Bushnell President and CEO David R. Fay writes in the printed program that as Cher broke down cultural barriers and pushed boundaries in music and fashion, she “has proven to be an unstoppable force, and one of the greatest entertainers of all time. The Tony Award-winning musical captures the essence of Cher’s talents and magnetism, following her over the span of her career–from a kid starting out to the glam pop star and global icon she is today.”

The jukebox musical covers the life story of Cher with very good direction by Casey Hushion. I knew that the cast includes three ladies playing the title role, but I did not anticipate that the three would interact throughout the two acts. I somehow thought that the actresses would cover the role like a relay race, as they did in “The Crown.” I found it a bit cumbersome at first, but it smoothed out as the scenes progressed.

Morgan Scott portrays the character dubbed “Star,” the eldest version of Cher of the 1980s and 90s, and slays the role throughout the show. This is the role that led Stephanie J. Block to a Tony for Lead Actress in a Musical.

In her national tour debut, Catherine Arialle is “Lady,” the middle-career and statuesque Cher in the 1970s, and Ella Perez takes on the youngest ages in her first tour, beginning when Cher was just 16 years of age, portraying her in the 1950s and 60s. The wigs helped us keep them straight.

At the press night performance, Sonny Bono, normally played by Lorenzo Pugliese, was portrayed by understudy Kevin Michael Buckley, who did well. Buckley was part of "The Cher Show" at Gateway Playhouse.

Lucy Werner from Brooklyn, an Elon University graduate, gets to play Cher’s single mother Georgia Holt throughout the show, as well as the iconic Lucille Ball in one scene. Werner gave a wonderful performance in both roles. Tyler Pirrung covers costume designer Bob Mackie, director Robert Altman and Frank in his national tour debut. Mike Bindeman has long hair for the role of Gregg Allman and also plays John Southall in his tour debut. Either Charles Blaha or Tre Kanaley stepped up to play boyfriend Rob Camilletti. Ensemble members became a long list of supporting roles, with Neftali Benitez fierce as Mackie’s assistant and Emma Jade Branson dancing beautifully as the Dark Lady featured dancer. Shout out to Michelle Arotsky, who was part of "Guy and Dolls" at ACT of CT, on her national tour debut.

The book for the show was written by Rick Elice ("Jersey Boys," "Peter and the Starcatcher,) with the music that is performed written by a long list of composers. Sonny Bono wrote some of the duo’s first hits, but songwriter Diane Warren has several songs on the long music credits list.

The set design by Kelly James Tighe sets the scene for the important parts of Cher’s career with some very effective lighting designed by Charlie Morrison, especially for the scenes with all three incarnations of the star. Sound design by Daniel Lundberg worked well at the Bushnell and Eddie Carney served as musical director, who conducted the orchestra and played keyboard 1. The songs included in the two acts, mostly presented in chronological order, are what fans would expect, as well as one Disney surprise.

Choreography designed by Antoinette DiPietropolo ranged from subtle to eye popping for the production numbers like “Dark Lady” and “Bang Bang.”

The costumes for the tour deserve their own paragraph. There are a plethora of costume changes, all of them fabulous. The original Broadway and tour costumes were designed by the fabulous Bob Mackie, who is included in the script. Expect tons of sequins and feathers on the Mackie creations, many of whom are recreations of actual designs worn by Cher.

The tour leased the costumes, wigs (aptly designed by Roxanne De Luna) and props from Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine. There were a few costumes on display in the lobby and one of the musical numbers is in essence a fashion show of costumes.

“The Cher Show” is a feast for the eyes and the ears, featuring spectacular costumes and wonderful vocal performances of some of Cher’s best work. Her fans who remember the trajectory of her varied career will enjoy this life story that is punctuated with the music that made her famous. It is funny at times, heart wrenching at other and always honest.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theater reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, and she posts well over 100 reviews each year. She became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle in 2016. Her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted in the Naugatuck Patch as well as the Patch sites closest to the venue. She is also a feature writer and theater reviewer for the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column IN THE WINGS and theater reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the newspaper.

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