Cher's Dressed to Kill Touror "D2K" for the new generationdescended on the Allstate Arena June 7 with fans dressed like her all over the arena.
While Pat Benatar opened for Cher for much of the new tour, Chicago was treated to Cyndi Lauper celebrating the 30th anniversary of her She's So Unusual record. Having opened for the icon in the past, many feel that Lauper is a highlight. The unique chanteuse entered from stage right bouncing down the audience stairs like a prize fighter belting out "She Bop."
With a mane of burgundy hair and signature sneer, she sang her popular hits "Time After Time," "Money Changes Everything" and "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun."
It was unusual that she didn't sing "True Colors" on Pride Month but chose instead to go with "Goonies 'R' Good Enough." At least did her recent song "Sex Is in the Heel" ( from the musical Kinky Boots ) was featured as a tribute to her gay Chicago following.
Cher announced from a curtain that she was on her way, then opened with new track "Woman's World." It was certainly a gay world this evening at the venue with this screaming crowd.
The costume changes were continuous and inspired as ever. With her trademark sense of humor she stated, "I'm 68 years old. What is your granny doing tonight?" After a career spanning decades she pulled from the past with a medley of "Gypsies, Tramps, and Thieves," "Half Breed" and "Dark Lady." She even did a duet with a large video of Sonny Bono for "I Got You Babe"hologram not included.
"Welcome to Burlesque" revealed skin and leg extensions from her movie with Christina Aguilera. A montage of her past scenes on Jumbotron screens served as a welcome reminder of her Oscar-winning acting career.
Performing in Vegas has really added to the creative costuming and lights. One minute it was a Cirque du Soleil-type show, then things switched to a retro sixties vibe for "The Beat Goes On."
A Trojan horse made the new Closer to Truth song "Take It Like a Man" golden; then she literally turned back time, wearing the revealing classic video's original outfit.
"Believe" brought neon colors, keeping things young and, for the finale ,Cher hovered over the crowd on a floating platform waving goodbye for "I Hope You Find It."
She joked on the microphone that this might be her last tour after a farewell tour years ago: "I can't do another one because I'll be dead." She performed a fitting song"You Haven't Seen the Last of Me"so one never knows. Let's cross our fingers and hope she's "Strong Enough" as this was a spectacular night not to missed.
Photos and text by Jerry Nunn