While Cher's own Web site bizarrely gives no indication that she’s no longer performing at Caesars Palace (aside from the inability to actually purchase tickets for the show), the official line from the hotel-casino was that she canceled all remaining shows for 2008 due to "ill health."
Las Vegas is a very inhospitable environment for the vocal cords, with its harsh dry heat outside and air-conditioned interiors. The often resulting painful condition known as "Vegas throat" has been plaguing performers since the dawn of entertainment in this desert town and has caused everyone from Sinatra to Celine to cancel shows. It was a big concern of Bette Midler's and she reportedly spent a lot of time talking with fellow Colosseum headliners Ms Dion and Sir Elton before signing on the dotted line with Caesars.
The current writer was present at Cher's opening press night, during which the singer complained several times of voice problems and apologized for "froggy notes." However, while ill health may have been a contributing factor to the end of her brief run at Caesars (we don't anticipate she'll be returning), we're not convinced that this is the primary reason she quit.
We've seldom seen a performer look as uncomfortable on stage as Cher did. As David McKee, who was also in attendance that night, observed in a scathing review in his Stiffs & Georges blog the following day, "As for Cher herself, it wouldn't be cricket to give an in-depth critique of a performance where she was clearly indisposed and looked to be on the verge of collapse in 'If I Could Turn Back Time.'"
Ironically, aside from those "froggy notes," her voice was the only saving grace in this ill-conceived production that didn't hang together at all. In contrast to Bette Midler, who gives the impression she's having the time of her life and loving every minute of her Caesars show, Cher looked like she'd rather be anywhere else in the world other than on that stage.
We conjectured at the time that there was no way she'd stick it out for the three-year run she'd signed up for and were not the least shocked when news came on October 5 that all future scheduled dates had been canceled, although we were surprised it ended quite so soon and abruptly. The "official line" remains that Cher will return in 2009; however, we see no evidence that supports that at this time, and those we've talked to close to the scene are not optimistic.
