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COVER STORY:
 The first time I met Cher, I wasn’t sure if she was the singer or Pocahontas tribute artist. It was backstage at the Sahara and she was dressed in full Indian garb including a headdress. She was stunning looking; said little and took all her cues from her then husband, Sonny Bono. Given time, she’d communicate. The attitude she posses today would occasionally shine through and one could sense that it would be just a matter of time before this shy; quite performer would erupt on her own terms as a superstar.
Forty years later, and three years after her 2005 Farewell Tours (273 shows that are the ninth highest grossing tour in history with a $200-million take), Cher is back. The long-running rumor that she will be the third leg of headlines acts (along with Bette Midler and Elton John) at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace has become reality.
The Oscar and Emmy winner will begin a three-year, 200-show engagement May 6. Her 90-minute show will be performed four night s a week -- Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday – with tickets priced from $95 to $250.
Ironically, Cher started her Las Vegas career at Caesars, so she’s come full-circle.
Rumors persist Cher will utilize sets that have never been seen or used that will include moveable scenery that lowers from the ceiling, rises from the floor and flies in from side stage with three different screen walls that will change the backdrop for each song she performs. She has apparently drawn the concepts into a book with illustrations that will be used in a larger version to create the staging .The book apparently comes to life with her life story beginning with that “I Got You Babe” debut.
Cher also says the Caesars show will feature updated versions of all her old hits plus some new hits in a nonstop hit parade of elaborate choreography and extraordinarily lavish and outrageous costumes.
She describes it all as “visually unbelievable” and promises not to duplicate any of the Farewell tour staging. “I wanted to be challenged with that,” she says.
She also claims not to have set foot in The Colosseum yet and reveals she hadn’t seen either Celine Dion or Sir Elton John’s shows there! She also admits she’s now on a furious work-out schedule getting ready for the initial run of four-weekly shows for almost a month, and then resuming the next set of concerts in mid-August through mid-October. Cher says she will commute between Vegas and her Malibu home during the three-year contract.
Cher’s self-imposed performance exile officially ended with a West Coast breakfast-time
announcement on ABC-TV’s Good Morning America. She revealed that she has been battling the Epstein-Barr virus and it nearly ended any dream she had of doing another show after her Farewell Tour.
Cher says that she’s been plotting the Vegas show for the past two-and-a-half years and prays, “I hope I can pull it off.” She continued, “I was sick constantly and almost died from pneumonia. I was first diagnosed with it in the late 80’s and I was sick a long time. I went to Germany last year for medical treatment. It was amazing what they could do for me over there.”
Epstein-Barr is a modern-day persistent infection akin to mononucleosis with glandular fever. Some patients have had their own bone marrow replaced and Epstein-Barr has been linked to chronic fatigue syndrome and lymphoma causing jaw tumors requiring chemotherapy.
“I’m back! I’m happy. I’m proud! I’m simply a failure at retirement,” the 61 year-old says. “I’ll give fans the best experience yet. Everybody knows I only do things in a big way -- and this will be the biggest. We’ve never had technology like this before to work with. I’d better do what I can do while I still can do it.”
“I'm hoping the show will leave audiences in awe. It is ultra glitzy and glamorous; a
visual phenomenon that simply hasn’t ever been seen before.” So expect new versions of “I Believe in Love’ and “Turn Back Time’ for sure.
Asked about the $60-million paycheck Cher said: “It’s a lot of money but I don’t care about the money. It’s not about the money. But I always worried about money. I always feared I’d wind up a bag lady. In fact when I was married to Sonny I bought two frying pans so I’d always have the extra one if anything ever happened!”
Famed designer Bob Mackie who has been with Cher for almost her entire career is designing an entire new on-stage wardrobe for her. “The costumes will be stunning and incredibly extraordinary,” he says. She’s also begun a strict workout regimen on a Power Plate fitness machine and is now adding daily private yoga classes to the “keep fit” sessions.
Cher also admitted on GMA that she has suffered from depression. “Not working does make it worse” she admitted. “Working helps me, it keeps me moving and around people and being productive. She admitted to plastic surgery but not as much as tabloids have speculated. “I never felt pretty” said Cher. “I create the illusion of it because it’s what comes from inside of you. I hate getting old. I’m sorry it actually happens and I’m as smart as I got when I was 40.”
John Meglin, President of AEG Live/Concerts West commented: “Fan anticipation is
unprecedented. There is simply no one like her. This project with Cher reinforces Vegas as the entertainment capital of the world. Her talent is legendary around the world.” Gary Selesner, Caesars President added: “There is only one home for someone of her legendary status -- the most recognized casino in the world -- Caesars! Cher’s name in one word encapsulates icon, award winning legend and captivating performer.”
On Good Morning America Cher also revealed two dating secrets that wound-up going nowhere -- she’d once been invited to spend a weekend in Vegas with Elvis Presley. “It’s a true story but I was really nervous” she confided. “I was too frightened to go and I’ve regretted it forever -- the same with Marlon Brando.” She says she’s still single, she’s not currently dating, but if she finds the right man she will marry for a third time. She also admitted that when she went out with Tom Cruise -- before his Scientology days -- she found him an “adorable young man.”
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