The Arizona Broadway Theatre musical “The Cher Show” truly turns back time. The 140-minute show, which runs through May 31, charts six decades of the icon’s life, complete with sequins, heartbreak and reinvention.

Thirty-five hits and a narrative built on resilience round out the show, starring three Chers. Anthem actress Lynzee Foreman is Lady, the 1970s icon, who carries the emotional turbulence of Cher’s early fame, marriage and creative awakening. “Bang Bang” and “Half Breed” are among her songs. 

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“My role is very emotionally demanding,” she said. “Tapping into those emotions and getting into that mindset show after show can be challenging as an actor.”

Cher’s music led Foreman to the role. “Once I was able to dive into the music, I fell into the lyrics, which really wrapped me up in Cher, her story and her life.” 

That immersion helped her balance authenticity with individuality. She studied Cher’s interviews, performances and biography. Foreman found a bit of herself in Cher.

“She is very shy around new people, but once she’s on stage, she opens up and is unstoppable,” Foreman said. He called “Money’s Gone,” which launches a nonstop sprint to the end of Act I, the most challenging stretch.

“I have some costume changes that are about 5 seconds,” she said. “From that song to the end of Act I, I do not leave the stage, so it’s very demanding and everything has to go just right.” 

That includes Cher’s Bob Mackie costumes. Foreman said ABT’s costume shop created dazzling and complex replicas from each decade. The quick-change choreography was challenging.

“It takes a village on and offstage to accomplish some of these with all hands on deck, under dressing some items, Velcro, magnets. It’s really theater magic,” she added.

“I have been a performer/choreographer/director in the Valley since the early 2000s,” said Foreman, who worked with the theater’s education department.

“I’ve been lucky enough to do about 40 MainStage shows at Arizona Broadway Theatre as an actor.” 

Foreman is a familiar face at ABT, as she worked with its education programs. The “unpredictability” keeps Foreman loyal to the company.

“Live theater and live theater actors are unlike anything on this earth,” she said. “I love the thrill of rolling with the punches, learning something new each show, and doing it all with a special group of people.”