warrior

REVIEW:  Full of flash and dry humor, ‘The Cher Show’ turns back time with empowering style

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

This musical biopic seems by the numbers until three Chers infuse an original and adventuresome twist.

Much like Cher herself, The Cher Show is a limelight driven, bawdy, and spirited look at Cher’s upbringing and career and how Cherilyn Sarkisian busted out of her shy demeanor to become as she proudly calls ‘a warrior goddess.’ 

Morgan Scott in ‘The Cher Show’ Photo credit Big League Productions

Bathed under dazzling spotlight-soaked florescent lights by Charlie Morrison, Star, depicted with Cher’s pitch perfect dry humor and rich vocals by Morgan Scott, emerges in sequined black donning her signature high heels and risqué style, but she is definitely not alone.  Turning back time is a thrill when two other Chers share the spotlight and help to navigate her life based on all she knows now.

Distinctively directed by Casey Hushion with a mix of slinky and wistful choreography by Antoinette Dipietropolo, Big League Productions presented The Cher Show for a limited time live and in person through Sunday, March 17 at the Boch Center Wang Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts, but it is also on a national tour.  Outside this production, MassArt showcased Cher’s legendary looks.  The production was 2 hours and 20 minutes with one fifteen minute intermission.  Click here for more information and here to see where The Cher Show national tour will next take the stage.

Catherine Ariale, Morgan Scott and Ella Perez in ‘The Cher Show’ Photo credit Big League Productions

Cherilyn was not always one to bathe in the limelight.  As chatty and anxious Babe, depicted with a powerful belt and discomfort in her own skin naiveté by Ella Perez, Cherilyn was often shy and felt like an outsider due to her dyslexia, half Armenian heritage and her dynamic looks.  However, Lucy Werner as Cher’s confident firecracker mother Georgia who was always a source of strength, sage advice and beauty said, ‘The song will make you strong.’  Cher’s unique qualities are actually what set her apart.

Cher fulfills most people’s two fondest wishes through this musical.  Not only can Star turn back time, but accompanied by Ella Perez as Cher or Babe and Catherine Ariale as Cher or Lady, Star can turn to her other selves to revisit her past.  Three Chers that interact, are aware of each other, and support each other is not just a source for a wealth of humorous moments, but it breaks the pesky rules of a classic biopic in a lighthearted and spectacular way.  Perez, Ariale, and Scott have a fascinating bond where anything can happen in a life where Cher was required to grow up fast.

The cast of ‘The Cher Show’ Photo credit to Big League Productions

Kelly James Tigne’s visually spectacular set is an array of glitter and glitz which includes the bright lights of Hollywood and Vegas but also beautifully nostalgic photos of 50s California before Cher sets her sights on stardom and the set develops a more classic sophistication in black and white as Cher’s star power matures.    

Starting out with her own sewing machine, Cher always set her own bold and risqué fashion standard before later joining forces with the legendary visionary and equally daring fashion designer Bob Mackie, who originates the Broadway and tour costumes seen in this musical.  Tyler Pirrung, who depicts a trio of roles in this production, is memorable as Mackie complete with clever quips and a mischievous gleam in his eye, especially during Aint Nobody’s Business.  Magnets are used to accommodate the numerous fashion styles and quick changes throughout the production.  The Cher Show’s costume coordinator Janine Loesch and wig designer Roxanne DeLuna presents all these ostentatious costumes in all of its nostalgic, feathered, and sparkling runway glory.   

Tyler Perrung as Bob Mackie, Ella Perez, Catherine Ariale, Morgan Scott and cast Photo credit Big League Productions

Lorenzo Pugliese is full of magnetic charm and quirky sense of humor as Sonny Bono.  Fast talking with shrewd business sense, Pugliese shares some amazing chemistry with each Cher and one of the best moments of the production is their wonderful rendition of I’ve Got You Babe which was met with cheers from the audience.  He also shines in Little Man and later for All I Ever Need is You.

Ella Perez and Lorenzo Pugliese in ‘The Cher Show’ Photo credit Big League Productions

The Cher Show’s quick pace features a wide array of nostalgic hits over six decades including the catchy harmony of Da Doo Ron Ron, Be My Baby, and The Shoop Shoop Song as well as It’s All or Nothing, a stirring Bang Bang (He Shot Me Down), Believe and Heart of Stone.  Perez, Ariale, and Scott form a powerhouse trio as they recall Song for the Lonely as Perez flaunts a distinctive belt.  The Fosse-inspired The Beat Goes On is a sleek standout as well as sultry chorography featuring Emma Jade Branson of The Dark Lady in candlelight.

Lorenzo Pugliese and Catherine Ariale in ‘The Cher Show’ Photo credit Big League Productions

The Cher Show celebrates her remarkable career and her variety of hits, but is also an honest and frank depiction of her insecurity, challenges, and fears within her failures and triumphs.  No matter what, Cher shows the beat goes on.

Catherine Ariale, Morgan Scott and Ella Perez and cast in ‘The Cher Show’ Photo credit Big League Productions

Distinctively directed by Casey Hushion with a mix of slinky and wistful choreography by Antoinette Dipietropolo, Big League Productions presented The Cher Show for a limited time through Sunday, March 17 at the Boch Center Wang Theater in Boston, Massachusetts, but it is also on a national tour. The production was 2 hours and 20 minutes with one fifteen minute intermission.  Click here for more information and here to see where The Cher Show national tour will next take the stage.

REVIEW: A dynamite Joan leads Company Theatre’s ‘Born to Do This: The Joan of Arc Rock Opera’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

The title track is more than catchy.  Not only may it inspire humming the hook long after the show is over, but it’s a clever tribute to a saint that was motivated to accomplish her mission from God at all costs.  It’s inspirational, fiery, and sung with a rock growl by Liza Giangrande, a charismatic actress with a dynamite vocal range who also portrayed Jo in Greater Boston Stage Company’s Little Women the Musical last year and received an Eliot Norton Award nomination for her performance.  Giagrande was definitely born to do this.

Liza Giangrande and cast in Company Theatre’s Born to Do This: The Joan of Arc Rock Opera Photo by Mike Scott

Giangrande does a spectacular amount of heavy lifting for this role which contains a large repertoire of original musical numbers with a large cast that take her from Domremy, France to the City of Orleans at the age of 16 to attempt to accomplish what no woman has before.

With book and lyrics by Zoe Bradford and co-directed by Zoe Bradford and Sally Ashton Forrest, music and lyrics by Melissa Carubia with collaborator Michael Hammond and musically directed by Robert McDonough, Company Theatre unveiled the world premiere of Born to Do This:  The Joan Of Arc Rock Opera live and in person at Company Theatre in Norwell, MA continuing through August 20.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

Company Theatre’s Born to Do This: The Joan of Arc Rock Opera cast Photo by Mike Scott

Illustrations, painted detailed backdrops of the French countryside, and dank dungeons with wrought iron gates by Ryan Barrow are illuminated by lighting designer Dean Palmer Jr. with visual projections by Logan Puleikis.  Purple lighting, flaming lanterns and intermittent celestial brightness blended with dynamic visual projections of a gorgeous church altar, a brilliant starry sky, luminescent flames and lit church windows create the mysterious and humble atmosphere of the Middle Ages.

Francesca Miele and Dru Daniels in Company Theatre’s ‘Born to Do This: The Joan of Arc Rock Opera’ Photo by Mike Scott

Born to Do This: The Joan of Arc Rock Opera tells a broad and epic historical tale that delves into Joan Of Arc’s life, but also explores the Hundred Years’ War between France and England.  The show has an uplifting overture and begins with a glimpse into one of Joan of Arc’s victories before rewinding the clock back to her childhood.  Francesca Miele depicts the younger version of Jeanne with effervescent charm, determination, and chiming vocals.  Miele and Anne Martland share some sweet scenes together as Jeanne’s conflicted and compassionate mother with the beautiful number, Angels All Around.

Zion Amparo and Francesca Miele in Company Theatre’s ‘Born to Do This: The Joan of Arc Rock Opera’ Photo by Mike Scott

The enigmatic manner in which Jeanne learned of God’s mission is peculiar and fascinating involving Dru Daniels as Nanette and Zion Amparo as St. Michael.  It is unimaginable, and yet so clear and extraordinary.  It would have been nice to have seen Amparo’s encounters with Jeanne more often just to see the progressive building of that bond.  Amparo soars for the number One Life and the angels’ presence during battle scenes were a beautiful touch.  Laird LaCoste is enchanting as Henry IV as he flaunts around playfully for the adorable number, The King with Two Crowns oblivious to the weight of his future accompanied by Kevin Groppe as the Duke of Bedford and Bishop Cauchon by Steve Dooner who both deliver impressive performances especially for Sold for a King’s Ransom.  Giangrande and Dooner create some riveting tension, especially later in the production.

Salvatore Guillermo, Garcia, Shane Smith, Peter S Adams, and Braden Misiaszek in Company Theatre’s ‘Born to Do This: The Joan of Arc Rock Opera’ Photo by Mike Scott

However, this show has its uneven moments and does not fit squarely as a rock opera.  The music is considerable with a weighty storyline and would like to have known some of the characters better.   With so many other cast members traditional and faithful to the era in boots, plain garments, and royal vestiges, some of the other costumes in leather, feathers, sneakers, and eyeliner are so contemporary, they seem out of place.  For example, in the number, Nobody Parties Like a Bastard, the party scene seems to not quite fit with the mood and manner of the rest of the production. 

Kaileigh E Bumpus Liza Giangrande and Dru Daniels in Company Theatre’s ‘Born to Do This: The Joan of Arc Rock Opera’ Photo by Mike Scott

Jeanne is trying to accomplish a tremendous mission which makes an indelible impact, breaks societal norms, and the production makes it as plain as day that Jeanne is doing what is considered a man’s job.  It is critical to the story, but is emphasized much more than Jeanne’s accomplishments which weren’t as clear.  What warrior Joan of Arc accomplished being different is also what made her special, extraordinary, and the very reason this musical was created.  Her adversity and faith becomes her greatest strength.

Greatness isn’t always understood, and her destiny was built on exactly who she was and stands as a testament to the good she accomplishes at such a young age and an inspirational life that should never be forgotten.

With book and lyrics by Zoe Bradford and co-directed by Zoe Bradford and Sally Ashton Forrest, music and lyrics by Melissa Carubia with collaborator Michael Hammond and musically directed by Robert McDonough, Company Theatre unveiled the world premiere of Born to Do This:  The Joan Of Arc Rock Opera live and in person at Company Theatre in Norwell, MA continuing through August 20.  Click here for more information and for tickets.