The full company of The Cher Show. Picture: Zac Cooke for The Studio @ stream.theatre
The full cast has been unveiled for the UK and Ireland tour of hit Broadway jukebox musical The Cher Show ahead of the production’s opening run at Leicester Curve next month.
As previously announced the cast will be headed by Debbie Kurup (The Bodyguard at the Adelphi Theatre, The Prince of Egypt, Dominion Theatre), Danielle Steers (Sweet Charity, Donmar Warehouse, Bat Out of Hell: The Musical, Manchester Opera House/London Coliseum/Ed Mirvish Theatre, Toronto/Dominion Theatre/New York City Centre) and Millie O’Connell (Six The Musical, Arts Theatre/UK tour, Be More Chill, Shaftesbury Theatre/The Other Palace) playing three distinctive stages in the sequin-drenched career of superstar Cher.
They will be joined by Lucas Rush (American Idiot, West End and tour, We Will Rock You, Dominion Theatre) as Sonny Bono, Jake Mitchell (Flat Out, The Gatehouse, Alice in Wonderland, Immersion Theatre UK tour) as Bob Mackie, Sam Ferriday (Rock of Ages UK tour, Bonnie & Clyde, The Other Palace) as Greg Allman with US actress and comedian Tori Scott taking on the role of Cher’s mother Georgia.
The cast also includes Jordan Anderton, Jasmine Jules Andrews, Carla Bertran, Catherine Cornwall, Áine Curran, Sam Holden, Samantha Ivey, Aston Newman Hannington, Ingrid Olivia, Clayton Rosa, Chay Wills and Guy Woolf.
Directed by Arlene Phillips reuniting with ex Strictly and new Dancing On Ice judge pro Oti Mabuse as choreographer, with the musical’s all-important costumes designed by Six costume designer Gabriella Slade, the UK and Ireland touring production will launch at Leicester Curve from 15-23 April 2022.
Packed with 35 of the superstar artist’s greatest hits, The Cher Show features a book by the Tony and Olivier Award-winning co-writer of Jersey Boys and The Addams Family (with Marshall Brickman).
The production which will also mark the musical’s European premiere will have set design by Tom Rogers, musical supervision by Rich Morris, lighting design by Ben Cracknell, sound design by Dan Samson with music production by Gary Hickeson, wigs, hair and make-up design by Sam Cox, associate direction by James Cousins, associate choreography by James Bennett and casting by Will Burton.
Presented by ROYO with Fiery Angel, Cuffe & Taylor/LIVE NATION and Playing Field in association with Titled, Aria Entertainment and JONES Theatrical Group, the tour will follow its opening dates in Leicester by visiting Sunderland, Hull, Sheffield, Manchester, Belfast, Blackpool, Nottingham, Canterbury, Plymouth, Dublin, Birmingham, Milton Keynes, Southend, Cardiff, Stoke, Woking, Cheltenham, Dartford, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Wolverhampton, Bradford, Brighton, York, Ipswich, Southampton, Northampton, Liverpool, Bristol, Wimbledon, Darlington, Torquay, Oxford, Llandudno, Norwich and Carlisle. Further dates are to be announced.
Commenting last year on the project, veteran theatre director and choreographer Phillips said: “I have been a fan of Cher since I first heard ‘I Got You Babe’ in the mid-1960s and cannot wait to direct her musical. I love stories about strong inspirational legends like Cher and I am proud to be joined in the creative team by two women who have already made a huge impact in their careers.
“Oti Mabuse as choreographer of the many different genres in the show and Gabriella Slade for the iconic costume designs. This exciting show will be a non-stop journey of Cher’s rollercoaster life, bringing to the audience Cher’s iconic songs, glorious dance numbers, unique costumes and her epic drama. All they need to do is come along and Believe.”
Mabuse, who made her musical theatre choreographer debut in 2019 with a hit production of Ain’t Misbehavin’, added: “I cannot WAIT for audiences to see what we’re doing with The Cher Show. Cher’s music covers so many styles, genres and rhythms, which makes it so exciting to choreograph.
“Every song in the show is a hit and we are going full out with exciting routines and movement. It’s going to be a party! Cher has been such an inspiration to so many people and this musical is going to be a celebration of everything people love about her.”
Slade, whose credits also include Curtains and In The Heights, said: “Cher is quite literally a style icon. Her fashion moments pushed the boundaries of the time and continue to do so. I’m so excited to be taking huge influence and inspiration from these looks as I embark on creating the costume design for this new production of The Cher Show.”
The musical premiered in Chicago in July 2018 and made its debut on Broadway five months later. Featuring three actresses, each playing Cher at a different stage in her life, the original Broadway production won two Tony Awards – one for Stephanie J Block for her performance as Star and the other for the production’s costume designer, Cher’s long-time friend and collaborator, fashion designer Bob Mackie.
Angela Thomas
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