By Joanie Cox-Henry
By Meredith Mashburn Photography
When it comes to capturing the essence of an icon, few theatrical productions have managed to strike gold quite like, The Cher Show, which opened Tuesday night at West Palm Beach's Kravis Center. This dazzling jukebox musical, penned by Rick Elice, proves that, like its timeless subject, it has staying power and a heck of a lot of heart.
I have had the incredibly good fortune of seeing The Cher Show on Broadway with its original cast, including Stephanie J. Block, in 2019 and with its touring cast at Broward Center for the Performing Arts in November and now at Kravis Center this week. I would also be remiss if I didn't mention how huge a fan of Cher I have been all of my life. When the legendary "If I Could Turn Back Time" video debuted during the summer of '89, I remember seeing Cher surrounded by sailors on the USS Missouri and thinking, "Wow, I want to be her when I grow up!" It turns out that my singing voice is a contralto, just like Cher's, and I have taken great joy in performing her music over the years. I know every single song written and recorded by her, including the covers she has done, and I sing them all.
For any fellow Cher fan, this musical is a must-see for so many reasons. The ingenious decision to split the role among three actresses representing distinct eras of Cher's six-decade career paid off brilliantly. Ella Perez brought a touching vulnerability and innocence to Babe, the wide-eyed 1960s version of Cher, while Catherine Ariale's Lady commanded the stage with the self-assured presence of 1970s-era Cher, complete with that distinctive contralto voice that became the star's trademark. Morgan Scott rounded out the trinity as Star, embodying the resilient icon of the '80s and '90s with both swagger and nuanced emotion.
The show's narrative cleverly stitched together Cher's life with remarkable ease, from her early dreams of stardom to her complex relationship with Sonny Bono (portrayed with winning charm by Lorenzo Pugliese). Rather than following a strictly chronological format, the production used Cher's extensive musical catalog strategically, allowing songs to illuminate pivotal moments in her journey. A particularly inspired choice was the reimagining of "You Better Sit Down Kids" as a maternal explanation of divorce, delivered with touching sincerity by Kristin Rose Kelleher as Georgia Holt.
The production presented a fabulous fashion montage during the "Ain't Nobody's Business" number, featuring the jazzy Tyler Pirrung as legendary designer Bob Mackie. This sequence transformed into a runway spectacular of Cher's most iconic looks, with costumes designed by Mackie himself. The marriage of fashion and storytelling here was exquisite. "After All," one could never properly tell Cher's life story without mentioning her dazzling array of fashion choices over the years. I mean, the costumes are basically the fourth Cher in the show! Kravis Center even had some of Cher's most memorable outfits on display for photo opps in the lobby including the famous feather gown she donned at the 1974 Met Gala and the Barbie dress Mackie made for Cher.
Among the supporting cast, Mike Bindeman's portrayal of Gregg Allman deserves special mention. His performance captured both the allure and the volatility of the rebellious rock star, adding depth to a crucial chapter in Cher's personal narrative.
By the time Scott launched into "Believe" during Tuesday's finale, the audience had surrendered completely to the show's irresistible charms.
The Cher Show is a fitting tribute to a woman who has repeatedly proven that reinvention is not just possible—it's essential, especially when you have seemingly mastered the concept of turning back time. I took my son Jack as my guest for this production, and I am so happy I got to "Cher" this amazing night with him.
Don't miss The Cher Show at Kravis Center Dreyfoos Hall, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach. It runs through Sun., Jan. 12. Call 561-832-7469 or visit kravis.org.
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