"The Cher Show" - book by Rick Elice - North Shore Music Theatre (Beverly, MA.) - REVIEW
(Cover Photo: Madeline Hudelson as “Babe” with Frankie Marasa 5th as “Sonny Bono” singing an iconic hit from the musical "THE CHER SHOW" with book by Rick Elise now playing at Bill Hanney's North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, MA. through November 2, 2025. Photo Credit: Paul Lyden)
By Kevin T. Baldwin
METRMAG Reviewer
# 774-242-6724
"Men should be like Kleenex - soft, strong...and disposable."
- CHER
North Shore Music Theatre
Presents the Broadway Musical
"THE CHER SHOW"
Written by Rick Elise
Directed by Kevin P. Hill
Choreographed by Sara Andreas
Music Director Milton Granger
Cast Includes: Sara Gettelfinger* as “Star,” Charissa Hogeland* as “Lady,” Madeline Hudelson* as “Babe,” Frankie Marasa 5th* as “Sonny Bono,” Angie Schworer* as “Georgia Holt/Lucille Ball,” Dan Fenaughty* as “Bob Mackie/Robert Altman/Frank,” Brenton Cosier* as “Gregg Allman/Joe Southall,” Andrew Tufano* as “Rob Camilleti,” Jared Chinnock* as “Lee/Top of the Pop Host,” Catherine García as “Bridget,” Sheila Jones* as “Colleen,” Ben Broughton as “Phil Spector/Sid the Censor/Male ET Reporter,” Tyler Jung as “Infomercial Director/Digby the Writer,” Wyatt Slone as “Steve the Scribe,” Alfie Parker, Jr.* as “Bob Mackie’s Assistant,” Milena Comeau* as “Dark Lady,” Hayden Barsamian as “Female ET Reporter.”
Studio Singers: Grace Crugnale, Alyssa Ishihara*; Girl Group: Ellie Chancellor, Hayden Barsamian, Grace Crugnale; Dave Clark Five: Ben Broughton, Tyler Jung, Alfie Parker, Jr.*, Andrew Tufano*, Wyatt Slone.
Ensemble: Hayden Barsamian, Ben Broughton, Ellie Chancellor, Jared Chinnock*, Milena Comeau*, Grace Crugnale, Chloe Fox*, Catherine García, Alyssa Ishihara*, Sheila Jones*, Tyler Jung, Henry H. Miller*, Alfie Parker, Jr.*, Wyatt Slone, Andrew Tufano*, Brad Weatherford.
Understudies and Study Covers are never substituted for listed performers unless a specific announcement is made at the time of the performance.
Understudy For: Sonny Bono & Bob Mackie/ Robert Altman/ Frank - Jared Chinnock*; Star & Georgia Holt/ Lucille Ball - Chloe Fox*; Gregg Allman/ John Southall - Henry H. Miller*; Study Cover For: Dark Lady - Ellie Chancellor; Lady - Grace Crugnale; Babe - Catherine García; Rob Camilletti - Wyatt Slone. Additional Creative Team: Production Stage Manager - Brian M. Robillard*; Assistant Stage Managers - Dakotah Wiley Horan*, Maria Papadopoulos*; Dance Captain - Milena Comeau*; Rehearsal Pianist - Robert L. Rucinski; Assistant Scenic Designer - Kat Mehler.
* Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
Special thanks to Ricola natural herb cough drops, the official cough drop of North Shore Music Theatre.
Performances:
October 21, 2025 through November 2, 2025
(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)
TICKETS:
For tickets and information visit www.nsmt.org, call # 978-232-7200, or visit the North Shore Music Theatre box office in person at 54 Dunham Road, Beverly, MA. 01915
BUY TICKETS
COVID 19 PROTOCOLS
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(Warning: The following review contains spoilers)
At Bill Hanney's North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) a dynamic cast and ensemble rocks Beverly with the fiercely fun musical "THE CHER SHOW" and it is a wonderful way to close out a terrific season.
While the cast of characters are aptly portrayed, it is the choreography executed by an electrifying ensemble of NSMT dancers in a multitude of wild costumes that makes this show a must-see.
This show is a tribute to one of the fiercest entertainers ever to step into the spotlight, CHER, with a book by Rick Elice that tells us CHER's story using songs CHER performed throughout her career.
The musical was developed in 2017 in New York City.
The world premiere was held in Chicago in 2018, and "THE CHER SHOW" officially opened on Broadway by the end of that year.
"THE CHER SHOW" continued on Broadway until 2019, ending after 34 previews and 296 regular performances.
"THE CHER SHOW" would go on to win Tony Awards for Stephanie J. Block as CHER (Lead Actress in a Musical) and for Bob Mackie (Costume Design for a Musical).
In a unique storytelling experience, the part of CHER is shared by three performers.
The three interact with each other and help each other out at various points.
(Photo: Sara Gettelfinger as “Star” in a moment from the musical "THE CHER SHOW" with book by Rick Elise now playing at Bill Hanney's North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, MA. through November 2, 2025. Photo Credit: Paul Lyden)
Our guide for the evening is the first performer, who also plays CHER during the 1980s and 1990s and goes by the name "Star" (Sara Gettelfinger).
Immediately, one might take note that Gettelfinger does not bear a striking resemblance to the entertainment icon that is CHER.
However, "THE CHER SHOW," especially as cast, directed in the round for NSMT by Kevin P. Hill and as choreographed by Sara Andreas, is not intended to be a CHER impersonation contest but rather a representation of the performer's life.
This musical is intended as a biography, not a lookalike/soundalike tribute act, but that doesn’t mean the effort to authentically portray the iconic CHER isn’t there - It totally is, but it is done so in stages (More on that in a moment.)
With the use of projected imagery surrounding the NSMT stage and a judicious use of selected set pieces, "THE CHER SHOW" is presented in such a way as to make us all feel as if we are in the audience at the taping of a "CHER" television special.
The NSMT orchestra led by music director Milton Granger is outstanding from beginning to end as it navigates through a complex weaving of hit songs that is the show's score.
Gettelfinger as "Star" introduces each person from CHER's life as if they were a "guest star" on her special.
Thanks to Gettelfinger's impressive take on CHER, we see the iconic performer closer to the age she is now.
The above approach helps set the stage for a look back at the entertainer's personal saga and life's journey.
(Photo: Charissa Hogeland as “Lady” with the CAST of the musical "THE CHER SHOW" with book by Rick Elise now playing at Bill Hanney's North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, MA. through November 2, 2025. Photo Credit: Paul Lyden)
Joining Gettelfinger on stage is a second CHER who goes by the moniker "Babe" (Madeline Hudelson), portraying CHER in the 1950s and 1960s as young Cherilyn Sarkisian's career begins to blossom.
Hudelson is a marvelous singer, capturing the essence of CHER in all songs in which she is featured.
Hudelson as "Babe" latches onto naiveté and exuberance the younger CHER had as a child, living without a father figure for most of it.
Yet, the absence was offset as the younger CHER found herself being guided in those earlier times by an equally brave and unrelenting mother, Georgia Holt (Angie Schworer).
Schworer is hilarious, showcasing a shared acerbic wit as both Holt and then later as another entertainment icon, Lucille Ball, who would wind up giving CHER some important life at a crossroads.
Also, kudos to CHER and bookwriter Rick Elice for giving a nod to Lucy by giving her arguably the funniest line in the show.
The best part of NSMT's "THE CHER SHOW" is in how it encapsulates and celebrates the life of CHER but does not overly sweeten or sanitize things.
Whatever happens on stage really feels like moments of a true story we are witnessing and not something sanitized for our viewing pleasure.
We witness how 16-year-old Cherilyn, who shortened her name to CHER, would meet and fall in love with struggling songwriter, Sonny Bono (Frankie Marasa 5th).
At no point does Marasa's portrayal of Bono feel like he is playing Sonny the man as a parody or a cartoonish figure.
Marasa shows us that Bono was an accomplished writer, singer, entertainer and, most importantly, like CHER, a flawed yet remarkable...and very real...human being. As
Marasa and Hudelson start singing Sonny and CHER's signature song, "I Got You Babe," that song shows how everything changed for the famed duo.
(Photo: Madeline Hudelson as “Babe” with Frankie Marasa 5th as “Sonny Bono” singing an iconic hit from the musical "THE CHER SHOW" with book by Rick Elise now playing at Bill Hanney's North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, MA. through November 2, 2025. Photo Credit: Paul Lyden)
There is an emotional frankness in "THE CHER SHOW" that also contains the uncomfortable forthrightness many have come to expect from CHER.
What may prove unexpected is the equally inherent vulnerability, an openness and willingness by CHER to be there for others, usually at great disservice to herself.
The final performer in this triumvirate is called "Lady" (Charissa Hogeland) who recalls CHER's more turbulent career and life during the 1970s.
Arial as 'Lady" illustrates the combative side of CHER as the entertainer, at peak television stardom.
CHER is relentlessly mansplained and manhandled by Bono and other powerful men in a very male-dominated entertainment industry.
Through multiple rises and falls, Arial convincingly brings forth that side of CHER that didn't always roll with the punches.
CHER threw a few punches herself, as well, and each time she came back, she came back stronger and stronger.
The undeniable chemistry between Gettelfinger, Hudelson and Arial shows the trio to be completely focused on truthfully and respectfully telling CHER's story.
The plethora of musical highlights includes hits such as "The Beat Goes On," "If I Could Turn Back Time," "Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves," "Bang Bang," "I Found Someone" and many, many more, all interwoven into the story and knocked out of the park by the intertwining, mesmerizing trio of Gettelfinger, Hudelson and Arial.
(Photo: The CAST of the musical "THE CHER SHOW" displaying a multitude of Tony Award-winning costumes designed by Bob Mackie - now playing at Bill Hanney's North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, MA. through November 2, 2025. Photo Credit: Paul Lyden)
As mentioned, the NSMT special effects associated with "THE CHER SHOW" is all impressive, all helping propel CHER's story forward.
Almost overtaking and replacing the CHER story, however, is the costuming by the one and only legendary costume designer Bob Mackie which, on its own, is reason for seeing this show.
Celebrating his avant-garde approach, the parade of Mackie’s quintessential signature line of costuming are among the outrageous, glorious and astonishing on display.
There’s a plethora of costumes from Las Vegas showgirl, wacky sketch character designs, and elegant evening gowns so risqué they seemingly were designed with the intent to give 1970’s network censors a cerebral hemorrhage.
Dan Fenaughty is exuberant and animated as Bob Mackie, showing great range later by appearing as the more grounded director "Robert Altman” who critically guides CHER through a pivotal acting career decision (while disregarding his own critically poor decision making the dreadful movie "Popeye").
As stated, the NSMT ensemble is fervently intoxicating, arousing and exhilarating, tasked with dozens of arduous, incredibly quick costume changes throughout the two-and-a-half-hour musical.
We also meet CHER's other significant loves, rock legend Gregg Allman (Brenton Cosier) and then up-and-coming actor Rob Camilletti (Andrew Tufano), but neither relationship sparks as resoundingly nor feels as impactful as the one CHER had with Sonny.
Whether that is fact, fiction, or just an artistic choice is all speculation and irrelevant to this wonderful NSMT in-the-round staging.
The important thing is that CHER knows the truth.
That said, Cosier and Marasa are given a terrific moment to shine together vocally in the scrappy duet, "Dark Lady," a number supported by a fine dance ensemble led by NSMT company Dance Captain Milena Comeau who appears as the featured “Dark Lady” herself.
(Photo: Frankie Marasa 5th as “Sonny Bono” with Charissa Hogeland as “Lady” in a scene from the musical "THE CHER SHOW" with book by Rick Elise now playing at Bill Hanney's North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, MA. through November 2, 2025. Photo Credit: Paul Lyden)
In the end, though, "THE CHER SHOW" isn't about the men behind CHER.
"THE CHER SHOW" is about CHER and, as such, we need to ask ourselves if we walk away from the show having learned more about this artist than we knew going in.
Knowing full well the obsession some have with CHER, for them I would say that is quite doubtful.
They would simply (continue to) boast how they know more about CHER than CHER knows about CHER.
For the rest of us, though, "THE CHER SHOW" does allow us some time to get to know not just the journey undertaken by young Cherilyn Sarkisian but the ongoing journey still travelled by the often imitated but never duplicated one and only CHER.
"THE CHER SHOW" continues at Bill Hanney's North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly until November 2nd, 2025, concluding another fabulous NSMT season just before it heads into its holiday show with their highly anticipated annual “CHRISTMAS CAROL” performance.
While "THE CHER SHOW" turns back time, do not let this terrific moment to see this show pass you by because, remember, the beat goes on.
For tickets and information visit www.nsmt.org, call # 978-232-7200, or visit the North Shore Music Theatre box office in person at 54 Dunham Road, Beverly, MA. 01915.
BUY TICKETS
Approximately two hours, 30 minutes with one intermission.
Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)
@MetrmagReviews
@Theatre_Critics
ABOUT THE SHOW
Stars come and go .. but CHER is forever!
Experience the dazzling journey of superstar CHER in "THE CHER SHOW," a vibrant, high-energy celebration of CHER's life and a career that has spanned over six decades.
This extravagant musical features three powerhouse performers embodying CHER at the different stages of her life and will take your breath away with hundreds of Bob Mackie’s dazzling Tony® Award-winning Broadway costumes.
CHER is an Oscar®, Emmy® and Grammy®-winning New York Times best-selling author with over a hundred million records sold.
This biographical musical, written by Tony® Award-winning writer Rick Elice, creator of "Jersey Boys," includes 35 of CHER's biggest hits, including “Believe,” “Turn Back Time” and “Strong Enough.”
"THE CHER SHOW" inspires you to never abandon your dreams. Get ready to rock along and relive the magic of CHER's career with this unforgettable musical that will truly turn back time!
Approximately 2h 30m (includes intermission)
CONTENT ADVISORY: Contains mature subject matter and language. Recommended for teens and adults. We do encourage you to use your judgment based on your own research of the show, your own sensibilities, and a child's age and maturity level.
No children under the age of 4 will be permitted in the theatre including babes in arms.
ABOUT BILL HANNEY'S NORTH SHORE MUSIC THEATRE
Since opening in 1955, NORTH SHORE MUSIC THEATRE (NSMT) has become one of the most attended theatres in New England, with approximately 250,000 patrons annually. With a national and regional reputation for artistic achievement, NSMT has received numerous industry awards including Elliot Norton Awards, IRNE Awards, the Rosetta Le Noire Award from Actors' Equity, and the Moss Hart Award. NSMT produced the World Premiere of "Memphis" in 2003, the show went on to win four 2010 Tony Awards including Best Musical. Under the new ownership of Bill Hanney since 2010, NSMT continues to annually produce a musical subscription series and an annual production of "A Christmas Carol" along with celebrity concerts, children's programming and year-round education classes for children and adults.
54 Dunham Road
Beverly, MA. 01915
Phone # 978-232-7200
Fax # 978-232-9999
northshoremusictheatre@nsmt.org
