Catherine Ariel, Kristin Rose Kelleher and Ella Perez have been earning rave reviews for their performances as “Cher” in the musical “The Cher Show,” running now through Sunday, March 31 at The Wick Theatre in Boca Raton by my colleague Mindy Leaf (read her review in the review section of southfloridatheater.com) and other local critics.
South Florida audiences may be familiar with the three actresses and “The Cher Show” because the musical was showcased in 2024 at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami and in 2025 at Kravis Center in West Palm Beach.
What is less well-known to local audiences is how much the three actresses playing “Cher” throughout three stages of her life (Perez plays the young Cher called Babe; Ariel plays the slightly older Cher as Lady and Kelleher plays the mature Cher as Star) value being at the Wick Theater for a month while being on the national tour of “The Cher Show” for several years.
“It is so relaxing to be at one venue here at The Wick for such a long period of time,” said Ariel in a phone interview together with Kelleher and Perez.
“This is quite a change from our normal tour stops in which we stay in hotels for a short period of time,” said Perez.
The three actresses have been signed to long term contracts for “The Cher Show” on the national tour for several years in which they performed in over 25 cities and in some smaller towns, such as Erie, PA, for as little as two days. Ariela and Perez have been on the national tour of “The Cher Show” since 2023 and Kelleher, who played Georgia Holt and Lucille Ball on the national tour since 2024, was an understudy as Star before performing in that role at The Wick.
Each of the actresses is extremely happy to be signed to a national tour for several years, especially because Ariele, Kelliher and Perez each had to audition to win their roles over a few hundred actresses in a stiff competition for the roles.
From left to right: Actresses Ella Perez, Kristen Rose Kelleher and Catherine Ariel star in “The Cher Show” running now through May 31 at The Wick Theatre in Boca Raton. Photo by Amy Pasquantonio.
However, there are challenges to touring on the road as opposed to the many actors who reside and perform mainly in South Florida, such as actress Aaron Bower, who is cast as Georgia Holt and Lucille Ball in The Wick production of “The Cher Show.”.
“The life I lead and love as an actress on tour is what I wanted ever since I was a child growing up in Northern Virginia. The touring life is perfect for me, because I am single and do not have to support a family,” said Ariel.
Many South Florida based actresses, such as Aaron Bower, Patti Gardner, husband and wife actors Avi Hoffman and Laura Turnbull, among others have been married for years and raised their children while performing mostly if not exclusively in South Florida.
“My boyfriend and I discussed my career, and the reality is that we may not be together in New York all the time. He is extremely supportive of my desire to be on tour and is so generous,” said Ariele.
“However, it is possible that in the future I may want to return to my roots in Northern Virginia, but right now I want to be living in New York and having the opportunity of being cast on Broadway and on national tours,” said Ariele.
Ariel, Kelleher and Perez are all single and each agree that being on a national tour is where they choose and want to be. “I feel especially lucky and fortunate to be on a national tour, especially because I was hired soon after graduating from university with my Bachelor of Fine Arts,” said Perez.
“This is a dream job, (being cast on the national tour of “The Cher Show”) and I will never ever take it for granted. Such an opportunity is rare for an actress coming out of university.”
In a recent 2026 article in “BackStage”, a professional entertainment industry publication, it was cited that national tour actresses are employed for longer periods and receive more benefits than actresses who are based in local communities.
However, the article also reveals the negative side of touring is that the actress is constantly living out of a suitcase and adjusting to new theatrical acoustics which could be mentally and physically exhausting.
“The wonderful thing about being on the road together is that everyone, those on the stage and those working off the stage, become close and are a family,” said Kelleher
“We work very long hours together each time we perform. Maybe because we are on tour, we are eager to be together. The bonding process allows us to work easily together and to trust each other,” added Kelleher.
From left to right: Actresses Ella Perez, Catherine Ariel and Kristen Rose Kelliher in lavish costumes star in “The Cher Show” running now through May 31 at The Wick Theatre in Boca Raton.
Each actress brought a different set of performing skills and expectations before being cast on “The Cher Show”. Ariel never had any doubts she would be on stage ever since performing as a child. Her father is a part time musician, and he encouraged young Catherine to have a career on stage. Prior to being cast in “The Cher Show”, Ariel performed as lead characters in the musicals “Memphis” and “Sunday In The Park With George.”
Born and raised in New York, Kelleher learned to play the flute, guitar, piano and ukulele on
her way to developing her career as an actress and singer. Prior to being cast in “The Cher Show”, Kelleher performed as the lead character in the musical “Mamma Mia” for Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line.
Also born and raised in New York (specifically from Long Island), Perez honed her skills as a dancer prior to being cast in “The Cher Show.”
Actresses Catherine Ariele, Kristen Rose Kelleher and Ella Perez star in “The Cher Show”, running now through May 31 at The Wick Theatre, 7901 N. Federal Hwy. in Boca Raton. For tickets and showtimes, call 561-995-2333 or go to thewick.org
