Back in November when I was in New York City, I unexpectedly walked by the Neil Simon Theater where, The Cher Show, was getting ready to open in December. In the 70's when Cher was still with Sonny on CBS's The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour, I, like many other Americans, was a big fan. In fact, I have followed her career since then and have grown to really admire her talent, not only as a recording artist, but also as an actress. And if I were to be completely honest, I enjoy her singing, yes, but I appreciate her talent as an actress much more. When I first saw Cher in her earlier movies, Mask, Silkwood and Suspect, I thought, "Damm...this lady can ACT!" And what impresses me most about her acting is that she's a total natural. Therefore, I was so happy to see her win her first Oscar for the movie, Moonstruck, because I truly felt that she deserved it.
The Cher Show follows her career from her early beginnings to present. I haven't seen it yet, but would like to. So far the reviews I've read about the show are mixed. Some reviews are raves, others are not favorable. However, I'd pay to see it, regardless of the reviews.
The Cher Show follows her career from her early beginnings to present. I haven't seen it yet, but would like to. So far the reviews I've read about the show are mixed. Some reviews are raves, others are not favorable. However, I'd pay to see it, regardless of the reviews.
It's funny, because right after I took these photographs outside the theater, I decided to grab a bite to eat before I caught the bus back to Philly because I was very hungry. And wouldn't you know that I just so happened to pick a table in the restaurant next to a lovely married couple from Long Island, New York who had just come from seeing The Cher Show that afternoon. They told me that they won two tickets in a lottery to see the show in previews before it officially opened. We sat and talked for about 30 minutes, in which they told me all about the show. And I could tell how much they enjoyed it from the exuberance in their voices.
Anyway, here are just a few photos.
I saw several cast members walk in and out of the door while I stood there taking this picture. And do you know that I actually thought (for a brief second) that maybe I'd see the real Cher - HA!
Anyway, here are just a few photos.
The theater marquee...
The stage door...
I saw several cast members walk in and out of the door while I stood there taking this picture. And do you know that I actually thought (for a brief second) that maybe I'd see the real Cher - HA!
These next several photos I found online.
The three actresses who portray Cher at various ages and stages of her career...
Micaela Diamond, Teal Wicks, and Stephanie J Block
Isn't it amazing what makeup, wigs and costumes can do?
The real Cher was there on opening night and came out during the final curtain call...
Cher and costume designer, Bob Mackie
The three actresses who portray Cher at various ages and stages of her career...
Micaela Diamond, Teal Wicks, and Stephanie J Block
Isn't it amazing what makeup, wigs and costumes can do?
The real Cher was there on opening night and came out during the final curtain call...
Cher and costume designer, Bob Mackie
The fabulous, Cher!
Clips from the Broadway show...
Have a grrrrreat rest of your week, everyone!
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This is one of my favorite songs (a ballad) by Cher, because it really shows off the quality of her voice: The Way of Love.
OMG, I didn't realise she was still around. Actually thought, when Sonny and Cher split (if they did), that she had died. Just shows how much I know about show business. I loved her voice, she certainly knew how to sing. Thanks for this, Ron, I shall be singing her songs for the rest of the day. Pity I don't have an audience!
ReplyDeleteWouldn't you have just DIED if she came out that backstage door? Lol! I remember watching Sonny & Cher as a kid and being amazed by her costumes. It's funny, but I think Bob Mackie is the first designer I was ever aware of. I'm surprised he's still alive and well enough to be on stage with her in that photo! He must have become famous at a young age. Remember how cute their daughter Chastity was when they would bring her out on stage? I also remember when Sonny died, how you could tell she still loved him by how she talked about him in interviews. She's a true legend!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your Polar Vortex week, Ron!
Ron, I hope your wish to see this show comes true so you can tell us about it! I, too, have long been a fan of Cher's. I enjoyed her performance in Moonstruck, and I was a regular when she and Sonny sang on TV.
ReplyDeleteDid you notice the same thing I did when looking at the marquee sign? How very much like Michael Jackson that image of Cher is? I find that odd because in real life, she doesn't look a thing like him, and looking at the sign, you'd immediately think it was a show about Michael.
Enjoy the rest of your week, my friend, and stay WARM!!! xx
Oo - I love Cher and I bet this is a great show!
ReplyDeleteWould you "believe" I've never seen Moonstruck? (See what I did there??) I will forever associate Cher with Groundhog Day, however. I actually like her music...it's not my typical style, but "Heart of Stone" and "Just Like Jesse James" are pretty damn catchy. Hope you get to see the show yourself!
ReplyDeleteRon, I really enjoyed the clip of the show. Oh my god...the costumes are incredible! Did Bob Mackie design the costumes for the show because they look like something he would design. I hope you get the chance to see the show and report back to us. Isn't Cher wonderful? I loved her in Mask and thought she deserved and Oscar for her role. But I also loved her in Moonstuck as well.
ReplyDeleteLove the pictures of the marquee and stage door!
I also watched Sonny & Cher when I was younger. She has such a smoldering, raw aspect to her voice. And those cheekbones! They go on for daaaaaays! I'm sure you'll love the show. And we'll get to live vicariously through your experience! :-) Take care and stay warm.
ReplyDeleteRon, I love Cher! My husband and I saw her in Las Vegas many years ago while on vacation. Her concert was amazing! She was in her early 60's at the time and looked and sounded better than ever. I had no idea about The Cher Show on Broadway?! I have to tell my husband because he will want to go into the city to see it. Loved the clip you shared, the show looks like a Cher concert!
ReplyDeleteI remember The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour vividly. I was in awe of her costumes and body. And it was so sad when she and Sonny broke up and ending the show.
Thanks so much for sharing this, Ron! Please let me know when you see it and what thought.
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P.S. How about those freezing temps today, hu? I bet you're happy LOL
Hey there Valerie!
ReplyDeleteNo, she's still alive. When Sonny and Cher split it was back in 70's and they both went on to do other things alone. Sonny passed away in the late 90's from a skiing accident. Cher is now 72 years old and still doing concerts, television appearances, interviews, etc. She just keeps going on and on and on.
I love her voice too. She has a very distinct sound. I also love acting. She's such a good actress.
Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a great rest of your week and weekend!
X to you and Mr. Charlie
o"Wouldn't you have just DIED if she came out that backstage door? Lol!"
ReplyDeleteOMG..I would have SHIT! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! However, she WAS there on opening night and from what I read, she was also there when the show was still in rehearsal because she has a lot invested in the show.
"I remember watching Sonny & Cher as a kid and being amazed by her costumes. It's funny, but I think Bob Mackie is the first designer I was ever aware of. I'm surprised he's still alive and well enough to be on stage with her in that photo!"
Meeeee too! He also did the costumes for The Carol Burnett Show! Bob Mackie is in his late 70's. He designed the costumes for The Cher Show and the look faaaaabulous!
" I also remember when Sonny died, how you could tell she still loved him by how she talked about him in interviews. She's a true legend!"
Yes, I just recently re-watched the day she spoke at his memorial service and broke down crying. It made "me" cry because you could feel her sadness and pain of losing him. Even though they divorced, they remain friends until the end. They were like soul mates.
Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a FAB weekend!
Yes....I'm enjoying the Polar Vortex! I was off today, so I spent most of the morning and afternoon outside, enjoying it :)
Me too....I LOVE Cher! I can't WAIT to see it! It just opened on Broadway, so I'm sure it's got at least a year run.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by, Fiona! Have a FAB weekend!
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"Did you notice the same thing I did when looking at the marquee sign? How very much like Michael Jackson that image of Cher is? "
ReplyDeleteHAHAHAAHA! OMG, Debbie...you are SO right about that, and I didn't even notice!!! Looks VERY much like Michael Jackson, yes!!!!
Wasn't Cher wonderful in Moonstruck? She really is a very talented actress because she never looks like she's "acting" she just "is" the character she portrays.
Thanks so much for stopping by and pointing that out to me, my friend. Have a FAB weekend!
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P.S. Yes, it's freezing here today. But you know me, I'm LOVIN' it :)
"Would you "believe" I've never seen Moonstruck? (See what I did there??)"
ReplyDeleteBwhahahahahahaha! Clever....VERY clever!!!!!
OMG Mark, you HAVE to watch it, truly, because I KNOW you would love it. It's kind of like a Harry Met Sally romantic comedy movie. Great script, great actors, and it's all shot in New York City and Brooklyn, so the backdrop is faaaaaaaabulous! It's a true Italian/American classic film!
I agree, those two songs that you mentioned are GREAT! Like I said, I like her music, but not all of it. However, I think her acting is AMAZING!
Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a terrific weekend!
X to you and Tara!
P.S. And btw, we FINALLY got severe winter weather today. It was freaking FREEZING, but you know me...I am loving it!
Hey there Candice!
ReplyDeleteIsn't the clip fantastic? I found it last night on You Tube. Yes, the costumes are INCREDIBLE, I agree! Yes, Bob Mackie DID design the costumes for the show because Cher insisted. After all, he did (and still does) design her costumes for her concerts.
I loved her in Mask too! Faaaaaabulous performance!
Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a terrific weekend!
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"She has such a smoldering, raw aspect to her voice. And those cheekbones! They go on for daaaaaays!"
ReplyDeleteYes, you said it, Lisa! And that's s perfect way to describe her voice...smoldering and raw. And her body was so suited for all those amazing, peek-a-boo costumes Bob Mackie designed for her!
Can't wait to see the show this year!
Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have great rest of your week and weekend!
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P.S. Yup...it's FREEZING here today. But oh...I am sooooooo enjoying it :)
Great photos, Ron! And I love how you met that couple who had seen the show. That's serendipity..or something like that! I always love how Cher enjoyed going over the top with her outfits. She's just so off the hook. And she's a very talented actress as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for Cher-ing, buddy! Have a great weekend!
OMG Elaine, you actually got to SEE Cher in concert? That's awesome! I know, can you believe how that no matter what age, she keeps going? She's now in her 70's and she's still doing movies, concerts and personal appearances. The last movie I saw her in was Burlesque and it was faaaaaaabulous! Stanley Tucci was in that movie as well!
ReplyDeleteYes, I didn't know about The Cher Show myself until I walked by the theater that night. However, when I got back to Philly, I started investigating it online and found a lot of info. The reviews were very mixed, some raved about the show, others said it was not that good.
" I was in awe of her costumes and body. And it was so sad when she and Sonny broke up and ending the show."
Me too, she was so ahead of her time in wearing such revealing costumes, yet she pulled it off because she not only had the body, but also the confidence. I know, it was so sad to hear about Sonny's skiing accident in the 90's. Cher really took it hard.
Thanks so much for stopping by, neighbor! Have a FAB weekend!
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OMG..I am soooooooooo enjoying these freezing temperatures. Everyone was complaining about it today, but I was in heaven!
Aw, thanks, Rob! I was so happy I accidentally walked past the theater that night because I didn't even know there was a Broadway show about Cher?!! Apparently (from various articles I've read), she was very involved during the rehearsal process, helping out in anyway she could. And I love that she was there on opening night, supporting the cast.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it totally ironic that I met that couple from Long Island on the same night that I spotted the show? AND that I sat down next to them?!? Yes...definitely serendipity.
Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Have a great rest of your week and weekend!
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Ron, I saw Burlesque and loved it! Great cast, Cher, Stanley Tucci and Christina Aguilera. You're right, Cher just keeps going and going. I admire her drive and longevity.
ReplyDeleteMe too! :) X
ReplyDeleteHey, Ron, check it out: I just received a copy of the play "Come Back to the Five & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean," in the mail.
ReplyDeleteA theater in Brooklyn Heights had staged this play, but I missed it, so I wanted to read the book.
Well, anyway, the original 1982 cast included Sandy Dennis, Kathy Bates, Karen Black, and...CHER!!! Is that a kick-ass cast or what?!? Just thought I'd let you know, buddy!
OMG Rob, that's AWESOME!!! I saw that play in Orlando, Florida many years ago when I was still living in Florida and LOVED it! I didn't see the play on Broadway with the cast you mentioned, however, I DID see the movie online (with the same cast) and it was incredible.
ReplyDeleteIn case you're interested, here in the movie link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjN31G9KXJA
Enjoy! And thanks for stopping back and letting me know about the play!
I have really good memories of the Sonny and Cher show. Including seeing the Jackson 5 on it once. When I was a kid my best friend and I would do our own version of "i got you, babe," using a piece of pine straw held between us to represent Chastity. Good times. :-)
ReplyDeleteSo reviews are often overrated. I could see where you'd want to see it!
". Including seeing the Jackson 5 on it once. "
ReplyDeleteOMG, yes....I remember that too! I also remember seeing them on The Ed Sullivan Show!
"When I was a kid my best friend and I would do our own version of "i got you, babe," using a piece of pine straw held between us to represent Chastity. Good times. :-)"
Bwhahahahahahaha! PRICELESS! That must be a "Libra-thing" because when I was a kid, I would use my sisters' hair brush as a microphone and lip sync to The Carpenters songs on my record player that played 45 speed records - HA!
I agree about reviews. I've seen movies and plays that I loved, but the reviews panned them. I've also seen movies and plays in which the reviews RAVED about them, yet I didn't care for them.
Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a faaaaaaabulous week!
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