A new jukebox musical, featuring the music of the iconic artist Cher, is on a hopeful trajectory for possible off-Broadway or better yet, Broadway fame. Before you say “not another jukebox musical” and ask, “Isn’t there already a Cher show?” this one follows a very different plot and interesting origin story.
Writer Mike Sheedy is a Springfield area native who might be known to some as their family physician or a former winery operator. Presently, he is workshopping his new musical creation in anticipation of bringing it to a much wider audience.
For the past 14 years, Sheedy has been working on his original concept musical, Dark Lady, which follows a fictional storyline using Cher songs from six decades of her career. Inspired by his daughters’ new-found love of Cher’s music, he accepted a challenge from them to write a skit they could perform featuring her songs. Ultimately, Dark Lady evolved into a full-length musical as a follow through on that promise to his daughters.
After many years of figuring out the complexities of writing a new musical, Sheedy then had to navigate the intricacies of financing, making important connections, and getting the rights to some of Cher’s music, all while raising a family and running a business.
The result is a story which follows the strong-willed and gifted protagonist, Queen, at the turn of the 20th century in the South. Queen is “a young traveler in a wagon train with her fortune-teller mother, her preacher father, and her two best friends. After receiving an ominous and foreboding fortune of events to come, Queen is forced to make a devastating decision that alters the course of her future.”
Dr. Bryan Albracht, left, with Mike Sheedy. Like Sheedy, Albracht is a Springfield-area physician and a supporter of the show.
PHOTO BY SARAH ALBRACHT
With the story on solid footing and the rights secured, the next steps in the process involved readings with some local actors (including yours truly). Then it was on to workshopping the show to create the best possible version of it and the music.
More recently, Sheedy began working with a Broadway team to further develop the show. In addition to his original story, the production also features the work of an accomplished Broadway team including script consultation and additional book material by Karen Hartman, music direction, arrangements and orchestrations by Sonny Paladino, and direction and choreography by Sara Edwards.
Sheedy credits lead producer and Springfield business owner Frank Vala as being “instrumental” in the show’s success so far. “This project would never have happened without Frank’s encouragement and support,” he said.
The continuing hard work of developing the show took many more months.
“I started with a table reading in New York City with Broadway actors, which basically involved an afternoon of different actors reading the script aloud,” Sheedy said. “Then five months later, I had a one-week reading in New York City, followed seven months later with a two-week workshop, and one year later, a three-week workshop.”
The latest presentation of Dark Lady was held June 12 at the Open Jar Studios in Broadway’s Times Square. Sheedy described it as “an emotional and memorable experience, (made) even more special by the fact that I was able to share it with family and friends who made the trip to New York City.”
The entire show was staged in a studio with basic set pieces, props and Broadway actors and musicians performing the show.
One of the friends who made the trip to New York was Julie Staley, who has known Sheedy for more than two decades.
Staley said, “Besides having an excellent script, Dark Lady was very polished and produced well. Although it was performed as a workshop in a Broadway rehearsal hall with no stage lights, costumes or big sets, the story was told well with simple details that were brought together as events unfolded. Everything seemed to be integrated masterfully,” she said. “Mike’s story keeps you engaged right until the last note.”
As for what’s next, Sheedy has big dreams for Dark Lady.
“Regarding the show’s path from here, there is the option of an out of town run at a regional theater to help develop the show further, but ultimately I would love to see it off-Broadway or on-Broadway someday,” Sheedy said.
For supporter Staley, she also looks forward to what’s next. “Wherever it lands, I hope it’s somewhere that the show can really be showcased with large audiences. I can’t wait to see it again.”
Mary Young was born and raised in Springfield and has been performing in, producing and directing live theater for decades. She’s done film and voice-over work, performs occasionally with local bands and takes part in improv troupe The Portuguese Rodeo Clown Company.
This article appears in August 6-12, 2026.
