To Be Cher to be Cher
- Ash Collins
- Aug 27, 2019
- 3 min read
I need to vent my anger & frustration at the Park MGM security team for their mishandling and mismanagement of a situation in relation the their interpretation of "Prohibited Items".
Before I attend any show where I intend to take a camera, I seek clarification from the venue as to what the 'Prohibited Items' are in general, and as they relate to the specific show / entertainer / promotion company. This is due to the fact that the venue list is not always consistent with the performer or promoter list. Having covered both sides of the fence, I was assured that my camera specification did not infringe upon any of the (un)published guidelines provided to door security for the show.
To my surprise, as I was passing through the security detection barrier, I was advised that my camera did not meet the requirements of the venue. I debated the matter with umpteen members of the security team...all to no avail. Their logic, or piss poor excuse for not allowing me to take my non-SLR, non-detachable lens, non-professional camera into the theatre was that the camera body has a hot shoe for mounting an external flash unit. As I did not have a flash unit this rendered their argument REDUNDANT and NONSENSICAL!
Anyway, Trace entered the Park MGM theatre with me lumbering a few despondent steps behind (stripped of my camera and debating skills). My goal now was to consume as many alcoholic drinks in our allotted hour at the VIP pre-show function to drown my sorrows; mission accomplished!
Sat comfortably in our amazing seats, we waited patiently for the 73 year old Cher to make her appearance on stage. The stage was set, well indeed it was as the stage set was magnificently presented. Unfortunately I was unable to convey the amplitude of the stage grandeur via quality imagery as I didn't have my effin' camera ("let it go Ash, let it go"). As such you will have to settle for my iPhone images.
The entire show was classic Cher...at 73 the "old lady" as she refers to herself was flamboyant, charismatic and glamorous. The set list (below) was a representation of a comprehensive career and body of work that spans 5 decades. A couple of tracks in, this elegant lady of stage and screen improvised with a story to the audience recalling events surrounding her 40th birthday that ultimately led to her being cast alongside Nicholson, Pfeiffer & Sarandon in 'The Witches of Eastwick'. She recounted the call with Jack as he suggested to her over the phone that she was "too old and unattractive" to make an appearance in the film. Fighting back the tears, she told Jack to "f#ck off", slammed the phone down, then sat with her two kids to enjoy her birthday cake.
The setlist above resonates with Cher fans as she took us on a journey through her performances on stage and screen. She integrates a touching video duet of her and former husband Sonny Bono singing " I Got You Babe", the sexy and comedic world of Burlesque, the 1980's disco era with ABBA covers, moving through the Memphis sound and finishing the show with two of her most popular Billboard chart topping hits.
Supported by a 5-piece band, back up singers and a very energetic dance troupe, Cher bounces and bounds her way across the stage supported by animatronics, cables and a very well choreographed set of dance routines and costume changes. The quintessential Vegas style theatrics were a huge hit for her adoring fans of which Trace is one. The only downside to this Diva's performance was the obvious lip-syncing through the opening number albeit her delighted audience did not seem to care too much. She also failed to introduce her band and back up singers which seemed not to be a time constraint or an oversight.
No sooner had "Believe" concluded, the house lights came on signifying that was to be no encore performance. Her fans lamented however they should be grateful that this 73 year old entertainer, Diva, was still able to turn back time and rock da house.
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