DETROIT – What could possibly be better than one Cher? How about three.
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The Cher Show makes its Detroit debut in all of its sequined and sparkly glory.
Part concert-like experience, part biographical musical, The Cher Show explores the life of the Grammy Award winner from her early days as Cherilyn Sarkisian to the mononymous icon we know today using her catalog of hits.
Using a similar storytelling technique employed by a string of recent bio-musicals on Broadway, there are three versions of Cher who guide the audience through her story, each playing a different era of her life.
There’s “Babe,” the youngest Cher, played by a charming Ella Perez, who learns to break from her nervous shell and falls in love with Sonny Bono. Then there’s “Lady,” played by a stunning Catherine Ariale, stronger and street smarter who learns to navigate the effects of fame. Finally, there’s “Star,” a rocking Morgan Scott, which is Cher in full form.
Scott shines as Cher. From her deep voice to her knowing glances, Scott plays and sings Cher with a humble respect. It could be easy to fall into the trap of impersonation with these types of shows, but Scott gives just the right amount of Cher mannerisms while still making it her own to serve the plot. Whenever Scott’s on stage, she’s dialed in owning the songs, the jokes and the attitude.
One of the biggest characters in The Cher Show happens to be, as the show jokes, the shortest. Lorenzo Pugliese is a hilarious Sonny Bono, raking in some of the largest laughs throughout the night. His effortless singing and strong stage presence only add to his charisma making him a joy to watch whenever he’s on stage.
But if there’s one character that almost outshines Cher, it’s Bob Mackie’s elaborate costumes. And there are a lot of them. Mackie, who is also a character in the show, was a frequent collaborator with Cher, among many other artists. He designed and won a Tony Award for the costumes on the original Broadway production and is credited for the designs of the tour as well.
Mackie’s legendary designs are front and center in this musical, which is highlighted in the fashion show-sequence “Ain’t Nobody’s Business If I Do.” From the opening song down to the curtain call, the costumes are jaw-droppingly detailed, shimmering even brighter by the stage lights. It’s not just Cher’s quintessential looks, but everyone’s, including the ensemble. Blink and you might miss them, as many of the costumes show up for only a moment.
The show packs 35 hits into a two-and-a-half-hour musical. Opening with “If I Could Turn Back Time” to Sonny and Cher’s “I Got You Babe,” to a fun Cher megamix at the end, the music
Will you learn anything new about Cher? Not particularly. Her life is well-documented through tabloids and paparazzi. With six decades to go through in such a short amount of time, there aren’t a lot of moments to soak in the drama. As with many jukebox musicals, the focus tends to be on the music and iconography, which the show succeeds in.
The Cher Show is a disco ball of big music, big dance numbers fit for the Goddess of Pop. Fans and new fans alike will find plenty to enjoy on this glittering musical journey. Incredibly sung performances and costumes worth the price of admission alone, what else could you expect for a show all about the celebrated diva?
The Cher Show is now playing at the Fisher Theatre through Sunday. For showtimes and tickets, visit BroadwayinDetroit.com.