'Cher Show' Proves 'The Beat Goes On'

Morgan Scott as Star in THE CHER SHOW
Photo by Meredith Mashburn Photography

By GERRY BARKER
North Palm Beach Life

When your career spans seven decades and includes 100 million records sold, a Grammy, Golden Globes, an Emmy and an Academy Award, as well as enshrinement in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, it's only fitting that you be the subject of a Broadway show.

The touring road production of "The Cher Show" debuted at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts Tuesday night, starring not one, but three women representing Cher at different stages of her life. Ella Perez is "Babe" Cher; Catherine Ariale is "Lady" Cher and Morgan Scott "Star" Cher.

Encapsulating the ups, downs and accomplishments over a lifetime of work is no small task, but the talented cast "Turns Back Time" in a fast-paced, sometimes frenetic tribute to Cher's talent and resiliency.

While each "Cher" has her turn in the spotlight, the trio are often seen together as the story takes us from Cheryl Sarkisian's humble beginnings to her meet-up with Sonny Bono (expertly played by Lorenzo Pugliese), the beginnings of "The Sonny and Cher Show" and onward, focusing on how the multi-faceted performer reinvented herself all along the way.

Of course, the songs we know so well are the centerpiece, and the production does a good job of using them strategically to enhance the story. First half highlights include Star opening the show with "If I Could Turn Back Time," followed by Babe's "Half Breed," Babe and Sonny's signature duet, "I Got You Babe" and Lady's "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)."

Cher's story is as much about the clothes and costumes as the music, and a real strand out in Act One is Tyler Pirrung playing fashion icon Bob Mackie, who designed those fabulous outfits Cher wore that became fashion trends. Those fashions are spotlighted in the fun and fast-moving "Ain't Nobody's Business."

Whether it's on stage, screen or recording studio, Cher's message to us comes through loud and clear: "The Beat Goes On."

​The show is in two acts, each an hour or so, plus a 15-minute intermission. The Tony Award-winning musical is at the Kravis through Jan. 12, with more information available at https://www.kravis.org/

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