3,057 posts
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Cher
Apr 21, 2018 11:36:45 GMT
Post by ali973 on Apr 21, 2018 11:36:45 GMT
hehe...I'm seeing the first preview in Chicago. And I already have a friend who wants to see it midway through the run and is offering to buy a ticket. I can't wait for this.
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225 posts
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Post by madsonmelo on Apr 28, 2018 19:49:38 GMT
I've built my entire NY trip to see this, if I'm unable to get a ticket for the first or second preview... I'll die lol
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3,057 posts
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Cher
Jun 13, 2018 22:17:29 GMT
Post by ali973 on Jun 13, 2018 22:17:29 GMT
So I saw the first preview last night, and that it was it was mediocre. In this diva bio jukebox musical (that's a specific sub-genre I've created, btw), we have three Chers advising and belting with one another.
They also use a "Cher Show" device to tell the story, which I thought didn't quite work throughout, nor did I think it was utilized fully. Overall, Cher's life isn't really one that required a musical. She seemed to have it alright. Yes, she worked hard, and yes she was used (but not specifically abused, at least not physically or emotionally) by her partner Sonny, and then she dated a random guy who seemed to be a bum, and then dated a very young guy who couldn't deal with her fame. She tried acting and wasn't good at it at the beginning, and then she was. Overall, I felt there was no examination of the woman herself as much as it was a chronicle of her rather consistently successful career.
All three Chers share the billing equally, with Stephanie J Block getting the last portion of the show. Most of the songs are there, but frustratingly none of them are there fully and are merely snippets. I think the show generally could work as a concept with some tightening, extra camping and probably bigger production numbers, but as the great Hal Prince said, and I paraphrase, you can't have a musical that you don't want to look at. And it's not much to look at. There are about two big LED/Light Bulb Panels that are lit to varying degrees through the show with different projections, and a central screen that has projections of some of the actions on stage. The famous outfits are recreated, but sitting close to where I was, I got an impression that they were a bit too "costumey" and practical, and not as precise or sharp as the originals. We have the three leads putting them on throughout the show, but also there are many other Chers that pose in various montage scenes (think Season 1 finale of SMASH where there are many different "faces" of Monroe behind Kathryn McFee). There's also a fashion show bit that showcases all the costumes. Think My Strongest Suit from AIDA). The choreography is a little bit flat, and the overall show seems to lack excitement and spark. Maybe it's because it's the first preview, and things will change as the run progresses, but this is the exact reason why shows go out of town.
I generally thought it was slightly lacking and unable to deliver, not that I wanted too much depth. Having just seen the Donna Summer musical, while it's far from being a groundbreaking musical and has its own nonsense going on, it seems to have a consistent tone and style, and just went with it.
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367 posts
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Cher
Nov 1, 2018 16:19:29 GMT
Post by raider80 on Nov 1, 2018 16:19:29 GMT
Broadway previews start tonight! I don't know much about this show so I can't comment on this show. I hope Stephanie J. Block finally gets her Tony statue.
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1,210 posts
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Cher
Nov 1, 2018 19:25:08 GMT
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Post by musicalmarge on Nov 1, 2018 19:25:08 GMT
Seeing it in three weeks!! Fingers crossed they ironed out some of the issues raised above.... 😬
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Cher
Nov 2, 2018 9:27:43 GMT
Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2018 9:27:43 GMT
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367 posts
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Post by raider80 on Nov 2, 2018 15:31:44 GMT
Stephanie J. Block has now played both Liza and Cher on Broadway, talk about a career. Is she going to do Over the Rainbow next to get the trifecta of gay icons?
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3,057 posts
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Cher
Nov 2, 2018 16:06:07 GMT
Post by ali973 on Nov 2, 2018 16:06:07 GMT
I thought his review was laughable. I saw the pre-Broadway run in Chicago. While they might have fiddled with it, this is a very weak show that has not been well thought of or conceptualized well. The fact that he compares it to Follies is out of this world ridiculous. The fact that he says it doesn't take itself too seriously is quite strange, because it actually does, which is what makes it quite horrible. Anyway, I hope they improved it.
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Cher
Nov 2, 2018 19:35:35 GMT
Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2018 19:35:35 GMT
I thought his review was laughable. I saw the pre-Broadway run in Chicago. While they might have fiddled with it, this is a very weak show that has not been well thought of or conceptualized well. The fact that he compares it to Follies is out of this world ridiculous. The fact that he says it doesn't take itself too seriously is quite strange, because it actually does, which is what makes it quite horrible. Anyway, I hope they improved it. 1-Perhaps the tone has changed since Chicago or he perceived it differently than you. 2-And regarding the Follies note ... as he says, It’s (The Cher Show) not perfect (some scenes of dialogue drag here and there), but if judged against the other entries in its genre, this is like frickin’ Follies. I read that to mean it is the most artistic or inventive in his eyes of these single-artist jukebox-style shows. I have no horse in his race, but Whizzer has been a reliable source for recommendations in the past.
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3,057 posts
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Cher
Nov 3, 2018 8:09:26 GMT
Post by ali973 on Nov 3, 2018 8:09:26 GMT
I understand what you mean, and I agree that he's normally pretty spot on and balanced.
But this is so far from the show that I saw. And though there might have been changes, I know that the show now is not radically different from the tryout. I'm also not one of those high brow queens (ok, maybe sometimes I am) but I did not walk into The Cher Show without any false expectations expecting a theatrical masterpiece. I like Cher, and would have been forgiving, especially since I am not necessarily anti-jukebox musicals. And compared to other bio jukebox musicals, I have to disagree with him and think that this is really the messiest (compared to Summer, Jersey Boys, and Tina..I haven't seen Beautiful).
Anyway..to each his own. I honestly really wanted to like this show. As I said, I like Cher but think that the story is not captivating, the treatment a bit messy, and they don't even sing the songs in their entirety and just give us snippets.
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225 posts
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Post by madsonmelo on Nov 9, 2018 3:53:06 GMT
The show I saw they sang songs most entirely lol
Second verse, bridge and everything. Snippets were more of a thing in “Summer” tho.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2018 8:25:14 GMT
I think costumes and lighting and set will get tony noms
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76 posts
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Cher
Nov 12, 2018 19:05:24 GMT
Post by finalperformance on Nov 12, 2018 19:05:24 GMT
The Cher Show now takes off from the get go. A juggernaut of a show with those big Broadway/Vegas production numbers. The choreography and costumes are shop stoppers. I heard major changes were done since the Chicago run. One knock out number after another and those scenes with Sonny were a pure delight. Three actress playing Cher at different ages in her life bring the show together. Cher is listed as one of the three producers, so she is definitely involved. Expect a long run at the Neil Simon theatre and lines at the box office.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2018 22:50:18 GMT
I must not be intelligent because the set looks pretty good to me
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76 posts
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Cher
Nov 13, 2018 1:46:25 GMT
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TallPaul likes this
Post by finalperformance on Nov 13, 2018 1:46:25 GMT
I have to mention discounts to Cher and other Broadway shows on playbill.com As we all know you have to take advantage of these offers. I believe The Cher Show is good into January.
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225 posts
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Post by madsonmelo on Nov 17, 2018 0:11:08 GMT
The show only has 3 producers, one of them is Cher and the other one is the main producer of Hamilton.
Most of the audience response is very positive.
In this weak season, they can get tons of nominations and I still think Block is the favourite to win the Tony.
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1,210 posts
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Post by musicalmarge on Nov 26, 2018 1:51:32 GMT
Saw this today. Well, it’s another life-bio jukebox show and I think theatre audiences are possibly getting a bit bored of them now - but the audience today LOVED “The Cher Show” (weird name I know).
Three different performers depict Cher brilliantly throughout her life, and they impersonate her incredibly and often interact in the same scenes which worked very well. The show is full of fabulous catty one liners, all the hit songs, the costumes are incredible and the audience were left standing and cheering at the end. Stephanie J block is a STAR.
The MAIN issue with this new musical is that Cher’s life isn’t that eventful; her rise to fame, financial lows, lovers and female empowerment fine - I’m just not sure it’s tumultuous or entertaining enough as a gripping theatrical story. That said, I loved it and audiences will too. I’m sure it will come to London in 2020.
8/10
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3,057 posts
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Cher
Nov 30, 2018 7:23:59 GMT
Post by ali973 on Nov 30, 2018 7:23:59 GMT
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225 posts
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Cher
Nov 30, 2018 15:59:37 GMT
Post by madsonmelo on Nov 30, 2018 15:59:37 GMT
I hope it's a hit, I had so much joy!
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367 posts
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Cher
Dec 2, 2018 18:21:04 GMT
Post by raider80 on Dec 2, 2018 18:21:04 GMT
The production photos have been released and they don't make me that excited. The production looks like it is one big concert found in Las Vegas with the big video board in the background. But, it will be a hit, it will try to fill the jukebox musical hole for the bridge and tunnel crowd since Mamma Mia and Jersey Boys closed. The Cher Show Broadway
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1,210 posts
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Cher
Dec 2, 2018 22:30:45 GMT
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Post by musicalmarge on Dec 2, 2018 22:30:45 GMT
The production photos have been released and they don't make me that excited. The production looks like it is one big concert found in Las Vegas with the big video board in the background. But, it will be a hit, it will try to fill the jukebox musical hole for the bridge and tunnel crowd since Mamma Mia and Jersey Boys closed. The Cher Show BroadwayThe set works fine. I liked it. Small hydraulic in the centre. Visually it looks good.
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367 posts
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Cher
Dec 3, 2018 14:32:52 GMT
Post by raider80 on Dec 3, 2018 14:32:52 GMT
Opening night is tonight. I suspect it will get mixed reviews but, I have a sneaky suspicion that The New York Times will write a love letter. Well, that's what my gut is telling me.
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Post by d'James on Dec 4, 2018 12:03:07 GMT
I don’t really want to hear anyone else singing Cher songs (apart from me) but I hope this will open people’s ears up to her back catalogue.
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1,210 posts
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Cher
Dec 4, 2018 14:05:59 GMT
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raider80 likes this
Post by musicalmarge on Dec 4, 2018 14:05:59 GMT
Damn the reviews were not kind.... Still, audiences will love it. It will run for 3 years and tour and come to London in 2020.
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367 posts
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Cher
Dec 4, 2018 14:38:48 GMT
Post by raider80 on Dec 4, 2018 14:38:48 GMT
I posted this on the Bad Behavior thread as well.
Last night, Kanye West was on his phone for most of the performance. It got so bad that actor Jerrod Spector had to call him out on twitter.
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225 posts
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Cher
Dec 4, 2018 17:14:18 GMT
Post by madsonmelo on Dec 4, 2018 17:14:18 GMT
The Hollywood Reporter - Positive Time Out - 3/5 The Guardian - 3/5 The Stage - 3/5 Entertainment Weekly - Mixed to Positive Chicago Tribune - Mixed to Positive Isherwood - Mixed to Positive
amNY - Mixed to Negative The Wrap - Mixed to Negative Deadline - Mixed to Negative Variety - Negative New York Times - Negative
It kinda got the response that I was expecting.
Stephanie J. Block got praise even of people that disliked the show ala Jesse Green.
Block, Spector and the costumes are nominations that can be expected, the first and the last can win.
A Best Musical nom is up in the air depending on other shows but it's written off.
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3,057 posts
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Cher
Dec 4, 2018 18:24:36 GMT
Post by ali973 on Dec 4, 2018 18:24:36 GMT
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Cher
Feb 10, 2019 23:21:38 GMT
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Post by iamamazing on Feb 10, 2019 23:21:38 GMT
Does anyone think this will come to London if a theatre is free in the near future.
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3,057 posts
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Cher
Feb 11, 2019 7:44:00 GMT
Post by ali973 on Feb 11, 2019 7:44:00 GMT
Oh, gawd I hope not. It thought it was just such a missed opportunity and the entire concept completely off.
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4,550 posts
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Cher
Mar 28, 2019 12:27:30 GMT
via mobile
Post by Mark on Mar 28, 2019 12:27:30 GMT
I saw this last night. It’s very enjoyable but not quite on the same level as Tina or Jersey Boys as far as bio musicals go. I think with Cher there aren’t as many “well known” songs unless you’re a superfan.
The costumes - WOW. I can see these winning a Tony. Stephanie J Block is wonderful and really captures Cher and her voice.
The staging is a bit minimal and bare, but serviceable. I’m not sure I liked having the three Chers but can see why they went for it.
I won the online ticket lottery and was a great seat in the front mezz, row C. Unfortunately the 8 rows behind me were completely empty! Must have been over 300 empty seats up there last night - a real shame.
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