By Erik Proveaux
Cher…ish the Evening
Cher. One word, one syllable, and one hell of an artist. At 72, she continues her notoriety for assorted hairstyles, elaborate and sometimes controversial
outfits, and untouchable sense of self. An image she has managed since she stepped on the scene in the 60s, and does not seem content with slowing it
down.
Cher is a powerhouse that has maintained relevance over the past 6 decades with nominations and wins for various awards and acknowledgements. Many
from the highest levels in the entertainment industry. Including, most recently, the Kennedy Center Honors in 2018, Billboard Icon Award in 2017, and even
an Academy Award in 1988 for Best Actress in a Leading Role. The list can go on, but I believe that I have made my point. I mean the woman has “The Cher
Show,” a Broadway musical in New York based off her life.
It was after visiting the Tybee Post Theater and catching “Mamma Mia! 2 Here We Go Again,” where Cher joins the all-star cast, that I heard Cher would
be releasing an Album of ABBA hits entitled, Dancing Queen. I was not completely surprised, but when she announced the “Here We Go Again Tour,” my
interest piqued. Was Cher doing ABBA songs the entire concert? Plus, I loved the double entendre of the name since she had completed her “Living Proof: The
Farewell Tour” in 2005, a tour which began over 15 years ago, lasted 2 years, and was the most successful tour by a woman. And she still followed this up
with a residency entitled “Cher” in Las Vegas, NV. I guess why retire from performing if you can still strut your stuff in a thong into your 70’s…and look good.
I attended the tour at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, FL. A venue with easy in and easy out access, convenience to parking, and
the nearby hotels offered shuttle services to and from the venue. I would give this venue multi “likes” if it was possible to do so.
The show opens with an electronic collage of Cher images thru the ages on a large curtain before it drops to the floor, presenting Cher descending from
the ceiling on a golden platform. All this while performing Woman’s World. Then it was off to India where she entered the stage on the back of a mechanical
elephant singing All Or Nothing Now. Next, the Sonny and Cher era, where she performed with images of Sonny Bono singing The Beat Goes On and I’ve Got
You Babe. The experience continued with music and sets from Burlesque, Mamma Mia, Memphis, and more, before closing the show with Turn Back Time in
her iconic black outfit complete with battleship guns in the background.
The concert was a meticulously produced stage production that seemed more like a journey thru time with visits to the past performances that made Cher
the iconic performer she is. Yes, there were plenty of costume and wig changes, but the sets were an AV geeks dream. Everything, including the dancers,
successfully framed the headliner.
The “Here We Go Again Tour” currently plans to pause in March for Cher to do a residency in the Park Theater at the Park MGM Resort in Las Vegas, NV
entitled “Classic Cher,” but continues in April and thru 2019. Makes me wonder, if she did this type of show on a 1-night basis, what would a Vegas show
where they do not need to strike the set be like? Is my AV geek showing?
10 TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | APR 2019