I was fortunate enough to see Cher on her epic 326 date Farewell tour in 2004. It was one of the greatest rock and pop shows that I have ever seen. She introduced the show with these words:

“Ladies and gentlemen, and flamboyant gentlemen. Boys and girls and children of all ages. Welcome to the Cher-est show on earth. This is the official beginning to the Cher show. And all I have to say is, Rhianna, Beyonce, Britney, ‘follow this, you bitches”. And what a show it was!

So this revue had some giant ( high heeled) shoes to fill. Cher has been an ubiquitous cultural media presence since the 1960’s as a singer and actress. How were they going to start to portray that? The answer – three Chers!

The Cher Show made its world premiere at the Oriental Theatre in Chicago, Illinois on June 12, 2018,  it began previews on Broadway on November 1, 2018, and officially opened on December 3, 2018, at the Neil Simon Theatre. It won Tony Awards for Stephanie J. Block (Lead Actress in a Musical) and for Bob Mackie (Costume Design for a Musical).

The musical’s book is by Rick Elice,  with original direction by Jason Moore, choreography by Christopher Gattelli, and orchestrations, arrangements and musical supervision by Daryl Waters and additional orchestrations by Steve Orich. The producers of the show were  Jeffrey Seller, Flody Suarez and Cher.

In May 2021, a new touring production was announced in the UK and Ireland from April 2022 to April 2023 directed by Arlene Phillips and featuring choreography from Oti Mabuse. Of Strictly Come Dancing and big hair fame. The show  differs from the Broadway production with modifications to the show’s music, Rick Elice’s book, and the costumes; which have been redesigned by Gabriella Slade .  It also has set design by Tom Rogers, lighting design by Ben Cracknell, sound design by Dan Samson, wigs, hair and make-up design by Sam Cox, music production by Gary Hickeson, musical supervision by Rich Morris.

It starts  with an older Cher (Debbie Kurup)  who has lost her  her way when she feels the presence of her former selves in the shape of  The younger less confidant Babe Cher (Millie O’Connell) and tougher edgier Lady Cher (Danielle Steers) who found mega fame amid a break up, motherhood and ups and downs of her career.

Lucas  Rush is a talented and amusing Sonny, Tori  Scott an effervescent Lucille Ball.

What sets this show apart is that it isn’t a concert musical, nor is it a narrated musical, or a bio-musical. All 3 Cher’s looking back on each others lives, throughout the ups and downs of life, meeting Sonny (Lucas Rush) fame, fortune and heartbreak.

It is a Cher multiverse with each Cher the master of her own destiny but only the present day Cher having  the answers. She watches her former selves making  decisions  and mistakes that  accrue into her ultimate self. You watch Cher grow up  before  your eyes. A young naïve  Babe Cher unaware of what lies in front of her, the streetwise Lady Cher, bruised, resilient, but successful, and a Star Cher who knows the story but has to rediscover it.

Cher embraces camp and glam, the production is awash with it, awash with glamorous eye-catching  costumes and glorious, period faithful, choreography, oh, and fabulous songs. Even if like me you do not own a single Cher record, you will still not only  know all the songs, but all the words to all the songs.

The supporting cast of singers, dancers and musicians are terrific with concert quality lighting and a crisp, loud sound.

A showstopping  standing ovation, foot stomping , encore finale features: “Believe”, “Strong Enough”, “Woman’s World”, “Dov’è L’amore”, “The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s in His Kiss)”, “I Found Someone”, and “Believe”.

Oh what a show, what a night!  The Cher musical Runs until 22/10/22 and continues on nationwide tour.