'Cher Show' tour, playing Akron next week, has Northeast Ohio native conducting in pit

With nine band members, Madison, Ohio, native Eddie Carney gets to bring the music of the iconic Cher to life every night.

He's been traveling across the country as the music director of "The Cher Show" national tour, which will land in Akron Tuesday and Wednesday at E.J. Thomas Hall.

Carney, 33, traces his career back to age 14, the first time he played keyboards for a show and was paid for it at Rabbit Run Theater camp in Madison in Lake County.

"Once I started, I couldn't stop," he said by phone in Illinois Tuesday, en route to the next tour stop in Muncie, Indiana.

Carney grew up taking dance and piano lessons as a child. At age 8, he performed in a theatrical production of the Christmas opera "Amahl and the Nigh Visitors," his first time in a children's choir at Rabbit Run Community Arts Association.

"The theater bug bit me and I was obsessed. That was what I wanted to do," he said.

From teaching to conducting national tours

Carney took an interesting route to music directing national tours. He studied music education at Ashland University and taught elementary school education for two years in Loudonville, Ohio.

He felt pulled in two directions during that time, so at age 26, he decided to move to New York to try to make it big in theater. Carney booked his first tour within a couple of months − Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas! the Musical," which he did for three Christmas seasons. Since then, he's toured as music director with "Legally Blonde" twice as well as "An American in Paris," "South Pacific" and "A Chorus Line," the latter being in Tokyo.

After having worked for Big League Productions for all of those tours, it was a natural opportunity for Carney to join the company's current tour, "The Cher Show," as music director.

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'Cher Show' delves into star's life

The autobiographical jukebox musical follows the trajectory of Cher's life from a being kid starting out to her current icon status, through six decades of stardom and scores of smash hits. Three actresses play Cher at various stages: Ella Perez as Babe, the young Cher; Catherine Ariale as Lady, the glam pop star; and Morgan Scott as Star, the icon of the '80s and '90s.

Cher, now 77, is a cultural phenomenon who has sold more than 100 million records worldwide as a solo artist. She won a 2000 Grammy for her "Believe" album, a 1988 Oscar for "Moonstruck" and a 2003 Emmy for the TV special "Cher: The Farewell Tour."

Listening to Cher 45s

Carney's earliest exposure to Cher was when he was about 5, listening to his grandmother's 45s, including "Dark Lady."

"I loved record players, and I just would listen to 'Dark Lady' on repeat in my room, not even really knowing who Cher was," he said.

He also remembers connecting to Cher's Grammy-winning "Believe" album in 1998 and remembers her ex-husband Sonny Bono's death the same year. Carney was 8 then. At the time, Carney's grandma told him about the famed "Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour" TV show that ran in the '70s.

Now, Carney creates Cher's music in the tour's pit across the country, playing a wide spectrum of genres that include big band swing, hard '80s rock and dance pop.

"I love her story. I love watching the story of her life each night," he said.

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'Cher Show' wins 2 Tonys

"The Cher Show," which debuted on Broadway in 2018, won two Tony Awards for best lead actress in a musical (Stephanie Block) and best costume designs by the famed Bob Mackie. The musical's current tour features Mackie's original Broadway and tour costume designs, with a total of more than 300 costume pieces.

Carney said Mackie's iconic Cher gowns are fabulous to behold.

"I always say that as a conductor I have the best view in the house," said the musician, who plays keyboards and conducts.

Traveling the country is a perk of the job

Carney is excited to tour to San Francisco and Boston, two cities he hasn't visited before, with "The Cher Show." Overall, he enjoys the touring life.

"It's very rewarding, not just doing theater as a job but to be able to take it to all of these different places," he said.

"As any human does, you have good days and your bad days," Carney continued. "But when it comes time to do the show, you remember why you do it. You feel the energy. You're aware that there are kids in the audience who are probably seeing their first show for the first time and you're going to be changing some lives that night."

Carney now lives with his fiancé in Shreveport, Louisiana, where he has been based since the COVID-19 pandemic started. When he starts a tour, he goes to New York for the two- to three-week rehearsal process.

Next week, when "The Cher Show" comes to Akron, Carney will be performing at E.J. Thomas Hall for the first time. He's looking forward to having family from Lake and Ashtabula counties come to see the show.

"The Cher Show" doesn't draw only diehard Cher fans, Carney said. Everyone can appreciate her journey to stardom as the three Cher actresses interact with each other and give insight into what went on in Cher's head at various stages of her life.

"Even if you're not a big Cher fan, you're going to enjoy it," Carney said.

Arts and restaurant writer Kerry Clawson may be reached at 330-996-3527 or kclawson@thebeaconjournal.com.

Details

Musical: "The Cher Show"

When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday

Where: E.J. Thomas Hall, 198 Hill St., Akron

Onstage: Starring Catherine Ariale, Ella Perez, Morgan Scott, Mike Bindeman, Tyler Pirrung, Lorenzo Pugliese, Lucy Werner

Offstage: Rick Elice, book; Casey Hushion, director; Antoinette DiPietropolo, choreographer; Kelly James Tighe, set designer/co-video designer; Bob Mackie, original Broadway and tour costume designer; Charlie Morrison, lighting designer; Daniel Lundberg, sound designer; Jonathan Infante, video designer; Janine Loesch, costume coordinator; Owen O'Brien, production stage manager

Cost: $25-$100

Information: see uakron.edu/ej or playhousesquare.org, or call 330-253-2488 or 216-241-600

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Northeast Ohio native is music director for 'Cher Show,' playing in Akron