Cher Soars To Broadway: ‘Cher: The Musical’ Portrays Iconic Singer’s Life, From Love To Lyrics
Cher is heading to Broadway in the form of a musical. The famous singer confirmed the rumors that her life, from her loves to the lyrics of her beloved songs, will be portrayed on stage in Cher: The Musical. The musical will premiere on Broadway in 2018, and Cher turned to Twitter to celebrate her enthusiasm for the upcoming show, reported Yahoo.
“Just got off phone w/Writer & Director of musical,” tweeted Cher.
“There will [be a] performance in theatre with actors, dancers, singers!! It’ll be on Broadway 2018.”
Although the singer just confirmed that a Broadway musical based on her life is in production for 2018, rumors have been swirling for months about the possibility. Speculation began in January that a musical production taking the audience through Cher’s life, including her famous pop hits, was underway. Cher even attended a read-through of the production.
The director of Cher: The Musical is Jason Moore, who is known for his work on Pitch Perfect. Rick Elice, famed for Jersey Boys, authored the musical. However, the question that prevails: Who will take on the challenge of portraying Cher?
It takes more than one woman to do justice to the singer. As a result, not one (or even two) actresses will be playing the role of Cher. Instead, three different actresses will portray the singer at various times in her life. At the initial read-through, one of those stars was Tony Award-winner Lena Hall.
Just got off phone w/Writer & Director of musical. There Will ? performance in THEATRE WITH ACTORS,DANCERS,SINGERS??
IT'll ?ON BROADWAY 2018— Cher (@cher) June 7, 2017
In January, Cher turned to social media to express her support and excitement. She admitted, however, that she had not been sure that she would like seeing a musical version of her life.
“Just walked [off] the musical,” tweeted Cher.
The singer made her enthusiasm clear by using all caps to share her own approval and the reaction from the audience.
“I SOBBED & LAUGHED & I WAS PREPARED NOT 2 LIKE IT. AUDIENCE CLAPPED AFTER SONGS & GAVE IT STANDING OVATION.”
The news confirming that Cher: The Musical is getting the green light comes in the wake of the singer’s recognition at the Billboard Music Awards, where she took home the Icon Award. Cher made it clear that she’s achieved a goal formulated when she was very young.
“I’ve wanted to do what I do since I was 4-years-old,” revealed Cher during her speech. “And I’ve been doing it for 53 years … I’m 71 yesterday.”
And for those who might think she’s past her prime, the singer added a stunning revelation.
“And I can do a five-minute plank, ok? Just saying.”
While Cher made it clear that she’s still in it to win it where her career is concerned, her confirmation of the musical garnered speculation about which actresses will play her on stage. But the singer made sure that there’s no uncertainty when it comes to the subject of the musical.
“Yay! What will it be about?” asked a fan in response to Cher’s announcement of a musical.
“ME,” summed up the singer in a succinct response.
ME?
— Cher (@cher) June 7, 2017
Why the delay between the January reading and confirmation? In the initial report of the read-through in January, the New York Post explained that although Cher was present at the first read-through of the new musical based on her life, it was kept “so hush-hush that security confiscated everybody’s cellphones before it started.” She reportedly had not yet approved it.
Cher stayed at the back of the studio during that read-through, shielded by an over-sized pair of sunglasses as she viewed the musical version of her life. After the reading, the producers, including Jeffrey Seller of Hamilton and TV producer Flody Suarez reportedly were “nervously awaiting her decision on whether to go forward with Cher: The Musical,” according to the New York Post.
At that point, the show was in the very early stages, but now it’s gotten the final confirmation from Cher. Although the read-through included both the script and singing of the songs, no dancing took place. However, choreographer Chris Gattelli of Newsies fame was spotted.
When Cher: The Musical hits Broadway in its final form, the audience will see the singer’s life unfold. Beginning with her challenging childhood in Los Angeles, where her mom waited tables, to her gig as a backup singer as a teenager, the musical will show the milestones of Cher’s life.
https://youtu.be/eBoJe0ihS-M
In addition to the catalog of her songs, the musical will take the audience through Cher’s famous love life. The singer and Sonny Bono met in 1962, and the musical also will portray their rise to the top in the music business, earning TV fame with The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour” on television.
Following the divorce, Cher reinvented herself, becoming a film star and pop icon. To do justice to all the personas of Cher, the initial reading of the musical called on the talents of Jillian Mueller as the young Cher, and Lesli Margherita as the older one, while Lena Hall played Cher in middle age, belting out “I Got You Babe” and “Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves.”
[Featured Image by Ethan Miller/Getty Images]
