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This post deals with two of my favorite topics: musical theater and CHER. Over the weekend, the iconic, ageless entertainer (her driver’s license says she’s 72, but I refuse to believe that) was in Chicago to see a preview performance of the musical based on her life, The Cher Show.

The show officially opens on Thursday at Chicago’s Oriental Theater and runs until July 15. After that, the show moves to Broadway’s Neil Simon theater, with previews beginning November 1 and opening night slated for December 3. The show’s website describes it as “35 smash hits, six decades of stardom, two rock-star husbands, a Grammy®, an Oscar®, an Emmy®, and enough Bob Mackie gowns to cause a sequins shortage in New York City, all in one unabashedly fabulous new musical.” I am SO in. Three actresses, with the character names Babe, Lady and Star, portray Cher as she ascends from 60s-era hippie to pop music royalty.

The Cher Show Facebook page featured some photos of the cast meeting the inspiration for the show, noting, “This weekend, we had a visit from the legend herself.” Stephanie J. Block, who plays “Star” Cher tweeted a photo of the singer with all three of her theatrical alter egos, captioning the shot, “There were a few tears after being nose to nose and sharing secrets with the exquisite @cher.”

There were a few tears after being nose to nose and sharing secrets with the exquisite @cher. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Ch5J6bRFhJ

— Stephanie J. Block (@StephanieJBlock) June 25, 2018

While the cast is beyond excited about the show, Cher herself is, can we say cautiously optimistic? In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, La Cher pulled no punches, saying, “It needs work. I’m not supposed to say that but I don’t care.” Here’s more of Cher’s comments from the interview:

Cher’s overall thoughts on The Cher Show:
Some parts of it are really fabulous. We’re going to work on the other parts. In many parts, it was much, much better than I thought it would be. And there were no parts where I wanted to gouge my eyes out.

How does she feel about the truthfulness of the show?
I am actually pushing them to be more truthful about me. I’ve already said so much about my life. It would be silly for them to come up with a Mother Teresa.

Giving props to the cast:
I think in some places it’s really good, and I am the most critical person who ever drew breath. If they can impress me, they’re doing good. The girls who play me have so much to do. The lady who plays my mom is great. That’s a very important part. It starts the whole tenor of the project: How my mom treated me as a child. That is why I am how I am who I am now.

Did Cher want to get up on stage herself?
Oh God, no. I still play this character in my concerts. So it’s OK.

[From The Chicago Tribune]

Cher gave lots of notes to the show’s director, and I have a feeling that the show will go through some big changes before it hits the Broadway stage. Hey, it’s gotta be at least better than “Cher: The Unauthorized Rusical” (but I still love you, Kameron). For those of us who can’t afford tickets to see this show, it’s only four weeks until Cher hits the big screen in Mamma Mia 2 (on July 20). I for one am saving my pennies for a Big Apple excursion to see this one – and possibly make it a double feature with Summer: The Donna Summer Musical. My head would explode from the fabulousness.

It's almost showtime! ✨Our lovely Chers met the press yesterday in Chicago!

A post shared by The Cher Show (@thechershow) on Jun 6, 2018 at 2:52pm PDT

Bob Mackie, original designer for the icon herself, shares the first glimpse at the costumes for @TheCherShow. This newly designed wardrobe is based on some of @Cher's most iconic looks. See them on stage at @BroadwayInChicago beginning June 12! Link in bio for tickets.

A post shared by The Cher Show (@thechershow) on Mar 25, 2018 at 2:32pm PDT

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