The final Chicago performance of The Cher Show was abruptly canceled July 15—minutes before curtain—due to technical difficulties with the show’s set. The performance was to be the musical’s out-of-town send-off before heading to New York this fall, where performances are scheduled to begin at the Neil Simon Theatre November 1.

Theatregoers were already in their seats at the Oriental Theatre, and the cast prepared to go on when it was determined that the show could not be performed due to an unspecified technical issue with the set that could potentially threaten the safety of the show’s cast and crew.

Cast members, including star Stephanie J. Block, took the stage to offer a mini-concert for the assembled audience, performing “I Got You Babe,” “The Way of Love,” “Song for the Lonely,” and “Believe.”

Broadway in Chicago issued the following statement regarding the show’s cancellation: “While there was no notice of this problem, the company tried everything they could to rectify the technical issues. In the end there was simply no way to perform the show in its entirety—both for what is needed to do the show and for the cast and crew’s safety... It is live theatre and while these issues rarely come up, when they do everyone tries their best to take care of the audience.”

Theatregoers who had tickets for the July 15 performance are instructed to contact their point of purchase for a refund.

Tony nominee Block (Falsettos, Wicked), Teal Wicks (Wicked, Finding Neverland), and Micaela Diamond (NBC’s recent live Jesus Christ Superstar) play different incarnations of Cher in the show, which features a book by Tony Award-winning Jersey Boys book writer Rick Elice. Jason Moore directs; Christopher Gattelli serves as choreographer.

Completing the cast are Tony nominee Jarrod Spector (Beautiful) as Sonny Bono, Tony nominee Michael Berresse (Kiss Me, Kate) as Bob Mackie (the real-life Mackie is designing costumes for the show), Tony nominee Emily Skinner (Side Show, Prince of Broadway) as Georgia Holt, Michael Campayno (Wicked) as Rob Camilletti, and Matthew Hydzik (It Shoulda Been You) as Gregg Allman. Dee Roscioli (Wicked, Fiddler on the Roof) serves as standby for Block and Wicks.