The Cher Show preps for tour and a recommendation to experience Feinstein’s/54 Below

By Alexandra Cohen

There are many reasons to travel to New York City, but one most unique to the city’s soul is the extensive list of amazing Broadway musicals found at the heart of Times Square. 

THE CHER SHOW:  Legendary recording artist Cher, born Cherilyn Sarkisian, launched her “Farewell Tour” in 2002 but has continued to perform to this very day.

Broadway’s The Cher Show, wrapping up its run on August 18, 2019  chronicles the evolution of Cher’s career from young elementary school outcast, to half of a comedy duo, to the diva she is known to be today. We saw it at the Neil Simon Theatre (250 West 52^nd Street). It will be revived on tour starting in Rochester, NY on October 2020.

Cher’s story is one so complex and empowering that one woman alone cannot tell it—Cher is therefore portrayed by not one but three women who play her at different stages of her life. As the eldest, Star Cher, Stephanie J. Block (Falsettos, The Mystery of Edwin Drood), is an absolute standout. Block, a Broadway veteran, commands the stage with gravitas. It is easy to see why she finally won her first Tony Award for this role earlier this summer. Playing the youngest, Babe Cher, is Micaela Diamond, making an incredible Broadway debut at age 19. Diamond sings and dances her way through the score of Cher classics with ease, making it clear that she will soon become a staple on the Broadway stage. Rounding out the trio is Teal Wicks (Wicked, Finding Neverland), who holds her own as Lady Cher, who many of you grew to love as half of Sonny and Cher.

The trio of Chers do not simply alternate performances—they co-exist. They converse with one another, encouraging each other through their most difficult of moments. The lead actresses, in an interview with Jimmy Fallon, aptly described it as “Cherapy”.

The show also features fantastic performances by Jarrod Spector (Beautiful, Jersey Boys) as Sonny Bono,  Michael Berresse (Kiss Me, Kate; A Chorus Line) as Bob Mackie, Matthew Hydzik (West Side Story, Side Show) as Gregg Allman, and Emily Skinner (Prince of Broadway, Side Show) as  Cher’s mother. The show begins with one of Cher’s most well-known hits, “If I could turn back time,” and that is exactly what comes next: a flashback to her climb to the top. As you watch Cher’s life unfold before your eyes, you will find yourself understanding her in ways that you never have before.

One of the best features of The Cher Show is the costume design by Bob Mackie himself, who won his first Tony Award for this show. One song features a parade of men and women alike, showcasing some of Cher’s most famous red carpet ensembles. Suffice it to say that glitter is involved.

Although The Cher Show will soon close (catch it while you can!), it will carry on with the tour.    

Special needs: Low vision and hard of hearing seats are located to the right of the central row C and to the left of the right row B (Orchestra). Aisle transfer seats with movable arm rests for limited mobility guests are available in the right and left aisles of rows G, J, P, and S of the Orchestra floor, and F and H of the Mezzanine, with two additional seats available in the aisle of the center row T at the rear of the Mezzanine. Wheelchair accessible seating and companion seats are located in the entirety of the left of row V (Orchestra), and additional seats at the left of center and right row U. For any special access seating or other requirements, contact the venue prior to your visit to ensure your individual needs are met.

Tickets for The Cher Show are currently available at TheCherShowBroadway.com or Ticketmaster.com (877-250-2929). 
HADESTOWN: While in town, we also were fortunate enough to get tickets for Hadestown, Broadway’s newest hit musical which took home eight Tony Awards in June. Hadestown tells the epic ancient Greek myths of both Orpheus/Eurydice, the doomed young lovers, and Hades/Persephone, king and queen of the underworld. Narrated by the Greek God Hermes and featuring a New Orleans-like flavor, this musical is sure to leave you absolutely transfixed. “Life is a team sport, and so is walking out of hell” said Anais Mitchell, the show’s songwriter, when she won Best Score at this past year’s Tony Awards for her work on Hadestown. Info: https://www.hadestown.com

FEINSTEINS/54 BELOW: Die-hard Broadway fans have undoubtedly already heard of Feinstein’s/54 Below, Broadway’s premiere Supper Club (https://54below.com). At the peak of Times Square, this fantastic establishment offers performances by the best talent that Broadway has to offer, in a setting quite reminiscent of a speakeasy, where you can enjoy performances in a more relaxed environment, alongside food and drink offerings.

In June of 2012, the club opened under the name 54 Below. The space underwent a complete reinvention by multiple Tony Award-winning producers Tom Viertel, Marc Routh, Richard Frankel and Steve Baruch (Hairspray, The Producers), who brought together Broadway’s and New York’s most creative artists and designers as well as top food and hospitality professionals. On September 17, 2015, through a creative partnership with Michael Feinstein, 54 Below was renamed Feinstein’s/54 Below.

Feinstein’s/54 Below features up to three shows nightly as well as a late night lounge. Accommodating 134 people in the main dining room, with all tables no more than 24 feet from the stage, the facilities include the capability to broadcast and record audio and video. A quick YouTube search will allow you to witness some of their incredible past productions.

When I went to Feinstein’s/54 Below for the first time, I took in a performance entitled “All Together Now: Celebrating Broadway’s Best Group Numbers”. Music came from a variety of musicals, both old and new, including Company, Bye Bye Birdie, Heathers, and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.

Performers included those known for their work in recent and current productions, including School of Rock, Kinky Boots, Aladdin, Pretty Woman, Frozen, Beetlejuice, Be More Chill, The Phantom of the  Opera, The Book of Mormon, Mean Girls and more.

Feinstein’s/54 Below is located at 254 W 54th St. For tickets and info call (646) 476-3551