The Cher Show
Directed by Jason Moore
Oriental Theatre, Chicago
June 12–July 15, 2018
CHER FANS had a lot to celebrate this summer with her over-the-top cameo appearance in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again playing Meryl Streep’s mother (hey, it’s the movies). The sequel to the 2008 musical comedy hit Mamma Mia! is again set to the music of the 1970s Swedish synth-rock group ABBA. The pop goddess’ brief time onscreen comes well into the movie and is a total camp-fest, with Cher arriving by helicopter for the wedding of her granddaughter and singing “Fernando” to love interest Andy Garcia.
Also in Chicago, the Broadway-bound jukebox bio-musical The Cher Show, featuring over three dozen of the superstar’s hits, had its out-of-town tryout over the summer. Despite its stellar creative team—producer Jeffrey Seller (Hamilton), book by Rick Elice (Jersey Boys), and direction by Jason Moore (Avenue Q)—this Cher-apalooza was a bedazzling train wreck, with designer Bob Mackie’s costumes stealing the show.
Three different actresses portrayed the superstar at different ages:
