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Backstage with Richard Ridge: It's Chers Everywhere! Stephanie J. Block, Teal Wicks and Micaela Diamond Talk All Things THE CHER SHOW!
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May 17, 2024
When in comes to portraying one of pop culture's biggest superstars of all time, it takes not one... not two... but three Broadway powerhouses to bring her to life onstage. Cher is on Broadway this season, played at three stages of her life by the incomparable Stephanie J. Block, Teal Wicks and Micaela Diamond. Below, watch as Richard Ridge checks in with all three leading ladies as they chat about becoming the Star, Lady and Babe, wearing her iconic clothes, and what they've already learned from the living legend!
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0:00
Welcome to Backstage with Richard Ridge
0:02
One of Broadway's biggest hit musicals is The Share Show, which tells the story of the iconic pop goddess
0:08
through her illustrious six-decade career featuring all of your favorite share songs
0:13
And there were three actresses portraying her, Stephanie J. Block, T.L. Wicks
0:17
and making her Broadway debut, Macalla Diamond. And I caught up with all three of them here at the Fame Sardis
0:30
I am thrilled to be sitting with all three of you here. Hi-ha
0:34
Okay, now you all know that I adore the show, as audiences do that see the Cher show
0:38
What is it like living in the world of Cher? Ooh, she's a lot
0:45
It's a lot of joy. It's a lot of love. It's a lot of heart and a lot of achy necks and feet
0:52
Yeah. Thrilling and exhausting. Yeah. Yeah. Full of sequins and lots of growing up
1:00
So when you first found out that you were cast, that you were going to each play Cher
1:05
what went through your minds? I wanted to stay grounded. I wanted to make sure that what I was delivering as Cher was not an impersonation
1:16
She had, there's something really rooted about Cher. I think people immediately think of her as all bells and whistles and showbiz
1:24
but all of that is happening around her. It's like a whirlwind around her. and she is the sort of centrifical, is that correct, right
1:32
She holds the center and she roots herself in. And I wanted to make sure that whatever we created for Broadway, that was maintained
1:41
And I know that seems like a crazy place to immediately jump to
1:45
but because my past history does, I think Liza's over here, right here
1:51
Because my debut was Liza, and I was a younger woman then
1:55
I kind of was all over the place. I wanted to find every nook and crowning you
2:00
When you're trying to deliver 50 years of somebody's life, you can't. You need to stay grounded and let so much of it happen around you and fill in the gap
2:08
So that was my very first thought. Yeah. For you too. Well, I was really excited because I've always wanted to be like a rock star
2:18
And so I was like, oh, great, I get to play one. Super great. And she wears some fierce outfits
2:23
and I was really excited to play with the costumes, just because I like clothes
2:30
and I never get to push the envelope as much as I say I would like to, so I was like, this is forcing you to do it
2:36
And I just, I was also really excited to, what I really loved when I auditioned was
2:42
were the scenes in Rick Ellis's work in the scenes, and they felt so grounded and real and honest
2:48
I was really excited to dig into that while also playing the fabulous, like, rock star that she puts out in front of people
2:58
So that was really, that's really what got me hooked in. I, um, the world didn't really know me
3:05
So I felt like I kind of had this, like, huge pool in front of me. So I just wanted to dive in head first and learn as much as I could from the people around me
3:15
one of them being shared, which was like a weird, like, I'm 19 and, like, all of a sudden
3:20
shares like that. aunt who like do you have to like study for like hours on end um but yeah i just i just wanted to
3:29
like take the risk and kind of like yes i'm young and like this is all very new to me but i just
3:36
i there wasn't really another option besides like going head first getting to no share
3:42
what is that like that's the name of our memoir i know i know getting to no share uh it's really
3:51
because she does, you know, as one should, there is a protection
3:57
Yeah. And then she opens up a little bit, opens up a little bit, and now luckily her heart is embracing us
4:06
One word that just kept coming up was safe. She wants to feel safe
4:10
Who doesn't, right? But on this level, having your entire life on a Broadway stage
4:16
being witnessed by many, so many people who already think they know her in so many different realms
4:21
whether it's film or being a pop icon or a fashion icon
4:26
So it's really this wonderful thing to, we were speaking, to hear her sort of understanding of who she is
4:35
And that didn't happen until late in the game. And I respect that. I really respect that
4:40
And she is both a warrior, but she's very feminine. She's very soft
4:45
She considers herself a lady, you know. We received beautiful bouquets of which
4:51
They come in the most delicate of whites and pastel pinks. And you think, this is from Cher
4:58
But it embodies who she sees herself as, which is this beautiful, soft, fragile thing
5:05
All the while, wearing the leather and the skull and crossbones and giving you this fortified outward appearance
5:14
So getting to know her took well over a year. And even still, I think we're taking liberties by saying knowing her
5:21
Right? It would take a lifetime. And I think it also says a lot about her that her closest people in her life are Polly
5:29
her best friend of 50 years, right? Her sister, her mom, her children
5:33
So you've got to protect herself. I hope that we can also carry that torch of protecting her while honoring her
5:43
Yeah. For you ladies. Well, I, yeah, yeah, sure. I loved getting to know her
5:51
her through YouTube and I know that's weird and I did kind of feel like a culprit sometimes
5:57
because again like we're using liberty saying know her but it really was like I fell in love
6:03
with this woman and felt like I knew her through all of the interviews and through all of the
6:07
documentaries and the concerts and all of that stuff all of that research that we have done
6:13
kind of made me seem like I was friends with her in this like weird beautiful way and so
6:20
and playing babe this young part of who she is, I had a little more freedom in how I saw her
6:31
and how she looked at the world then. I think it was very naive in the most beautiful way
6:37
Like she, one of the things she always said, and Rick, our writer who told us this
6:42
that was such a gift that I kind of kept in my pocket for the entire process
6:46
But she has always just been this, painfully shy human being and always knew she wanted to be famous and had no idea how to get there
6:58
And that journey is our show and all of the lows and all of the highs and in between
7:06
But like reminding yourself that like that shy girl is still always there through every part of her. Yeah
7:13
How interesting that the world can feel like they get to know her because she has been documented through her whole life
7:19
She's that one figure that since she was 16 until now has been photographed, has been videoed, has been recorded
7:26
And so before the age of social media where you think I'm friends with somebody, even though I've never met them
7:31
she kind of is the first to do that to be that bait for people to say I do know you You are my friend I am connected to you somehow Yes Yeah Yeah And I mean it also something just that so amazing about her is
7:46
and I think that's why she has such a wonderful following and still can still get up on stage
7:53
and fill a stadium full of people. And when she stands up there and talks, it's just her
7:59
It's her. She might be wearing this amazing, crazy outfit with a wig that makes her seven feet taller
8:05
than she is. But she is so, there is not very much of a filter on when she speaks
8:13
and you feel like she is talking right to you, speaking right to you
8:17
And it's so fascinating because, because as we have gotten to know her a little bit more
8:22
it is, she does want to feel safe. And there is, there are walls. She knows how to put herself out there in a way
8:30
but yet still save, keep something safe within herself. and to do that for six decades
8:36
and I think she's been doing that since she was 16 trying to study that in all the research that we did
8:43
before getting to have one-on-one time with her and then having one-on-one time with her
8:48
and seeing it and being like, wow, yeah. Like every time we met her, it felt like there was a little layer of armor like off
8:57
Like the sunglasses were gone. The hat wasn't there. Maybe there was a little less makeup. Like it was just, it was, it's interesting
9:03
And to try to bring that into the show and just when she has to pull up her big girl pants and step up, what does that mean
9:12
And when she is vulnerable and at home, what is that like
9:16
And it's, I know, it's been really interesting. She's such a dichotomy about that
9:22
You all play her at different types, at different times of her life and you're all flawless at what you do in this show
9:27
Oh, that's sweet. What unlocked it for you, like what unlocked your share for you, each of you
9:32
For me, it was physicality. It was watching her during the, mostly the Sunny and Share comedy hour, like how the arm is or the things, and just where she sort of bends and, you know, a lot of that just kind of the way she carries herself
9:48
That sort of was a big thing for me, and I tried to. Mine came incrementally, but the first, aha, was Jason Moore, our director said, no more jeans, no more T-shirts
9:58
Here is a bodysuit. You will start rehearsing in a body suit. And so I was out there giving you the full, you know, the sags were the sags, the buns were the buns
10:08
Everything was happening for everybody to see. But he said, you've got to do it here at 42nd Street Studios because you're about to walk out and you have to embrace all that you are
10:19
And I was really unnerved by it all. And there were moments where everybody else was just, you know, in their cozies or whatever
10:27
And I was giving you rocking the full body suit. but I'll tell you to take that leap right off of that really did change
10:33
My posture, my confidence, my still being self-aware, but having to embrace who I was so I could embrace who she is
10:43
We just have been through so many versions of the script, and I've kind of let that do some of the work for me
10:49
I remember my audition sides were like this random love scene with Sunny
10:54
that's no longer in the show. But that love scene had informed, still
10:59
informs my show. It's like that love scene still existed. It just because we can only have a show for
11:04
two and a half hours was cut. So the script has kind of just kept informing me for the last year
11:10
And that's like so great that we got to be, that we got to go through all of those versions
11:16
And I think for some reason I always feel dropped in watching her and Sonny and playing that
11:24
Luckily, that's most of my section is, is falling in love with him and meeting him and all of that
11:29
I really do let that do most of the work and have my scene partner, Jared Specter
11:36
who's brilliant in this role, like, take me along for the ride, because that's what she did
11:41
She just kept getting into these situations and then, like, rising to the occasion. And that first occasion was sun
11:48
So, yeah. Let's talk about the iconic Bob Mackey costumes. We all made universal yummy noises
11:56
Well, let's talk about those magical fittings. I mean, you were fitted by Bob Mackey
12:00
Oh, yes. What were those like? So we would be in this mock material. Yes
12:04
And then he would come over and just start drawing where he wanted the lines to be and where he wanted the cuts to be
12:09
And then the next fitting, you would have real material and they would be taking it in. And it really was this long process
12:15
But in a way, like, you got to know him. And you started to be more comfortable in your body because you were just standing there naked for like four hours once a week. Yeah
12:26
It became this kind of like ritual. every week. So when we started going into the theater and we didn't have those fittings
12:33
I was like, oh, I kind of miss waking up early and like spending the morning with Bob and his assistant
12:40
Mornings with Mackey. Yeah. It was so fun. It's a big chapter in this book you all wasn't. Yeah. But Joe, his assistant, yeah. So Joe would
12:49
stand there with the sketch behind us. And then Bob would be on a stool looking at the sketch
12:56
then doing this, they would last anywhere. Literally, I think I had some that were three or four hours long
13:02
So someone would come and you'd sip a little water and you're still standing there
13:07
But knowing what was going to come on the other side, every minute you knew was worth it
13:13
Do you know what I'm saying? Because you just knew this investment was going to pay off in a thousandfold by the time
13:20
And I'd never had so many fittings. I mean, these, let me just tell you, my fittings are still continuing
13:26
because he is such a perfectionist. Also, because of how many costumes there were 680-something
13:32
some of the original pieces are still in the show. I'm still wearing some Mackey originals
13:38
and some Cher originals, wraps and whatnot. And rightfully so, he wants them back
13:44
Bob, so when it's still going into fittings where they have to then make mock-ups
13:49
Exactly. So I don't know when that might end because, like you said, it is such a huge
13:56
portion of who share is and what makes our show our show. I love that she looks at me and she says
14:03
I don't, this is not usual. We don't have many fittings. I know. I really am doing this show and I'm
14:08
like, so do we usually rehearse the last day before opening? Are we usually? Like, I'm really like
14:15
I don't know what this is, but this is my normal right now. It's fascinating. They're so revealing
14:21
That's the great thing about the share costume. So did you have conversation with Bob? Or when did you
14:25
surrender and be like, I'm going to wear these. My first wardrobe consultation
14:34
It was the first time going in just to try it. We didn't think Bob was not supposed to be there
14:39
And they were trying to, in a very professional way, asked me to come in basically like a bathing suit
14:45
or underwear you're comfortable being photographed in because you have some of the most more revealing outfits
14:50
and Bob really needs to see what you look like because all he saw was my audition tape
14:55
And he says I was so covered up. He was like, you were so covered up. I was like, what is she hiding
15:00
And I thought I was wearing a pretty, like, sassy up. So, so
15:06
And then I show up and I have my, I was like, I can be an underwear. It's fine. We're theater. I'm, you know, I'm used to running around, not running around naked, but standing
15:14
It's a different world. It a different world And then Bob shows up And so I like first day meeting him I you know just I was like okay I in my underwear and here we go And he said lovely very sweet things that made me feel comfortable about it
15:31
And I was like, okay. He was like, oh, yeah, you're the same high to share. Oh, yeah, you have some of the same measurements to share
15:36
And I was like, what? Oh, my God. This is amazing. I was at a wig fitting
15:41
And he was at my wig fitting to make sure that the color of the hair was going to translate
15:46
in such a way and was good for my skin tone. Whig fitting. Next thing I know I'm topless
15:50
I'm like, I'm out of wig. I did the same thing. How is this happening
15:54
I did the same thing. Yeah, but he said, you know, Broadway doesn't work out
15:58
French Riviera is right up your alley. And I thought, I've fed people with these
16:02
I can still be on the French Riviera. So it was a high compliment
16:06
I love that. So funny. I, yeah. No, I was in a wig fitting too
16:12
And the next thing I knew, I was standing in front of a camera and he's standing right there
16:16
watching everything and I'm just, again, is this normal? It's not normal. Okay. Like I really
16:23
was like, it's got to be one of the biggest pinch me moments of your career. It's like, high clothes designed by Bob Mackie. Oh, my goodness. Yes. Do you have a favorite that you wear
16:31
Does it change every night? Yes. It does change often. I love my second outfit in the Mackie
16:38
parade. Okay. My little jumpsuit with it all. I mean, different, I have different color shoes
16:44
I mean, it's beautiful. And I love, it's a comfortable one. That's important
16:50
Yeah. Mine is, it's not comfortable, but it's on stage for two seconds
16:56
and it's just so gorgeous, and I don't really know what it looks like on, because I literally take, it's the underboob
17:01
It's the white underboob, just because I know what went into making it
17:05
And it's iconic. And it's, yeah. And it's just, it's so beautiful, and it literally fits me like a glove
17:12
And he would move, like a strap, like a, quarter of an inch and he's like that's going to make it look better and make it feel more secure
17:21
than a bathing suit and it does and it's just it's it's just amazing we feel like he's now coined the
17:27
term you know Broadway couture we have Broadway Couture and it's really something mine is the mohawk
17:33
right so but that i don't have to do anything i just come up and people scream and you go man
17:38
this is the life and then the other one that wasn't necessarily designed for share but for my
17:44
version of Cher is the goddess warrior at the end. I just feel like an entity of my own self, and I have to embrace all of it and come
17:53
slow and steady, and I think there's really something special that I've never felt before
17:58
and I may never feel after with that particular gown. Sculpture, it's not even a gown
18:02
It's a sculpture. They all are. It hangs in the flies. That her finale costume hangs literally in the wings
18:09
They have to lower a lot, right? They have to lower a lot of these costumes. Well, they did in a folly
18:13
Your original production of follies have the same fit. Yeah. So we lower you into the clothes
18:18
Thank you. I love that. Songs, there's like 35 hit share songs in this show, right
18:23
Mm-hmm. Okay, what is each of your favorite song that another share does
18:27
Ooh. Ooh. Oh, God. Oh, that's so hard. That's so fun. Be it goes on
18:32
Yeah. House divided. Okay. Way of love. Great. Yeah. Okay. B goes on. Yeah
18:42
I found someone Because it's so rock star That guitar riff And I'm like, yes
18:47
And you live in the music video I love it And then I love House Divided
18:52
I love that song It wasn't in Chicago And I really like that song
18:56
From Listening to Cher's albums And when I saw it finally In the script I was like
18:59
Oh yes Good edition Way of love Bang Bang I got you babe
19:07
I mean yeah Yeah it's a good one It's classic you know fun
19:11
Let's talk about the audience. You've had repeat audiences already. Everybody loves your show
19:15
They are psyched. And the second they walk into that theater. You must hear before you even start
19:20
It's pretty special. Yes. And we have had a lot of people at the stage door or, again, over social media
19:26
It's my third time. I'm bringing my entire family when they come in for spring break or whatever
19:31
Stephen Schwartz was at the show recently, and he's like, Steph, I was waiting in line. And the lady in front of me was buying tickets for April
19:38
The woman behind her was going for her third time. So that wonderful word of mouth and just the idea that she's permeating
19:46
The share show is already permeating out makes us very, very proud, really proud
19:51
What do you call your fans? Oh, we don't have to do it. Well, there are the share show host
19:56
Yes, we get the Sher Show Ho. It started in Chicago. I don't know if it's really hooked to people yet
20:02
But we'll see what it really becomes. I mean, we use es a lot
20:07
We do. Beloved es. No, that's weird. Well, all your Broadway world fans are going to come up with something
20:12
They'll come up with something. Yeah. But it's like, anybody loves the show. That's the best thing about walking into that theater
20:18
People are in such a high before you even begin. And then you walk out. I mean, that must make you feel so great by the time the show ends
20:24
You know what also makes us feel great is that when they come back from Inmission, they're wearing the show merch
20:29
They're already wearing the sweatshits, the t-shirts, the button. And you're like, we're doing something right if you're already strutting the merchandise
20:37
How is playing share or getting to no share, made you a better performer or person
20:42
Ooh. May I? Yes. It just happened. Okay. I am, I speak out more
20:50
I speak my instincts more. Still respectful. I still try to respect, but I trust who I am because she trusts who she is
20:58
And I'm like, if I'm playing share and she's already laid the groundwork to say, this is what I think
21:04
My instincts are saying this. I believe we should go like that. I thought I'd try it out
21:09
And it has felt really great. It's extremely freeing. And through the course of this entire rehearsal process, the workshop, the out of town, and now
21:18
I really have planted seeds that I've seen grow and now are on stage or have fueled who I play on stage because I've spoken up
21:29
And what I have to say is important. Right? We always think, well, my place is XYZ
21:36
I've now kind of blurred those lines and said, no. My opinion actually matters, even if I'm not this, I'm wearing this hat at that time
21:44
I'm a woman, I wear tons of hats, I got lots of opinions. 50% of them are pretty good
21:50
But they're all worth throwing out there and see what happens. What can you lose
21:54
Oh, I love that. I think for me, it's, I've had a lot of ups and downs and my, you know, I hope I still have a lot of, like we say, I still hope I have a lot of chapters ahead of me in my career and life and whatnot
22:06
But I've had some points where in life and career where I was like, oh, my God, what is going to happen
22:12
And just knowing how many ups and down she's had. And I've had not even that many compared
22:20
And just knowing being like, yeah, you are literally going to brush yourself off, get back up, and keep going because you kick ass, and you're good at what you do, and you're a good person, and you are smart
22:29
And, yeah, you're just going to get it. I know. It's good
22:33
I'm trying to. I think being in the show and just like getting to know her a little more one-on-one
22:41
I've started to like have this new opinion on love. Like I think also just falling in love every night with Jared and with Sunny
22:51
like is this kind of beautiful adventure I get to have every night
22:56
And like just letting that be and living in that so presently because that what she does even though she so scared of that is like she still goes for she so hopeful in this in this childlike way And the fact that I get
23:12
to be a child in the beginning and then kind of like pass that torch to where she still has
23:18
that childlike presence and naivety in the final scene, that's like such a, that's such a fun
23:24
growth thing that happens. So, yeah, yeah, that's what I've learned from her
23:31
I love how you've all bonded together. I mean, it's hard creating a new musical that turns into something really incredible
23:37
You have a ritual before you go on stage. You do something with cards? We do
23:42
We have a box of warrior your cards. They're all goddesses. And we sleigh them out
23:48
We each take turns as to who picks them. And believe it or not, our swing, D. Roscoly, she gave me this deck of cards four productions ago
23:56
when I was doing Little Mish Sunshine over at second stage, and we would pick the card
24:00
And somehow with the storytelling and who we were playing and this goddess warrior theme
24:05
I was like, I've got this deck of cards. So they're downstairs. And before we pop up, we all come together, we unite
24:12
We know there's kind of a, you all have our different paths, but there's a singular focus
24:17
and whether it's be bold, be independent, be a healer, be an open font for love
24:23
We have that that kind of is a connect. tissue through the entire show for that particular performance
24:29
It's fun. Is that the last thing you all do before you go on stage? Yes. Before she gets in a trap and we go off
24:34
Yeah. Yeah. Because how could we possibly do the show without seeing
24:38
Like sometimes you come in on a Thursday and we don't see each other and then we're like all
24:42
of a sudden on stage being each other. Right. Like being each other. So it's like how can we
24:47
So coming together and uniting right before the show starts, it's like it's changed our whole show. Everything
24:51
Yeah. Yep. Yeah. You know, finally I have to say, I've been doing this for over 25 years
24:55
I've covered so many. opening nights. The opening night of the show was one of the most glamorous
25:00
opening nights. The red carpet. There was so much excitement on that
25:04
street and just the show that night, the party. But opening night
25:08
Cher on stage singing with you. Did you know? With that, everything with Cher is like, you never
25:18
quite know. That's the deal. Yeah, I knew I had to give a speech. I knew I was
25:24
going to be introducing Cher. And then I was asked if you could get her to sing that would be great
25:30
Right. Happy opening! So she was given a mic in the wings, but I didn't know which way it was good
25:38
None of us knew. She could have said thank you very much to the orchestra and said, good night everybody
25:43
She could have said, what the hell is going on? I'd have no idea where I got this mic. So we, she went to them immediately, touched them, loved them, gave me this embrace
25:51
And I said, are you ready for this? She goes, for what? I said, I think we're supposed to sing. And underneath us was the theme for Turnback Time
25:58
And instinctively something kicked into her And before the mic even hit her lips
26:03
She started to sing it and I thought Oh, Jesus, thank you
26:07
Thank you, thank you And it was then very out of body
26:10
Then I'm not quite sure At one point I was like, you take it or at a girl
26:14
Or something was crazy Who tells Cher, go ahead, sing your song
26:18
You did say you said go ahead Go ahead And then I remember saying
26:24
Holy bleep it out because I just thought what is happening in this very moment
26:30
so it's something I could have never foreseen something I probably will never feel
26:36
again and I'm so glad there were multimedia outlets everywhere to capture it from every angle
26:42
you know I've watched it a thousand times from each angle and it's really
26:48
very special and I'm glad it worked out that way because it's true you can't make share
26:52
do anything at any particular time she's share. But something at that moment, she wanted to sing with us. And that was such a gift
27:01
It was electric in that house. I don't know why I did the things I did. Go ahead. I don't know why I said the things I said
27:11
Cries like an eye freaking cut deep inside. Words are like where post it
27:24
Holy shit I know I've made you cry And I believe I can turn back tight
27:32
Holy shit I take back I take back those words That hurt you
27:40
And you'd stay If I could reach the stars I give a blow to you
27:50
And you loved me, love me and it used to do. If you could sum up the best part of the experience
28:03
I know you're just living through this incredible show, but what's been the best part of the experience so far for each of you
28:08
Oh, man. You touched on some, but for me it's two things. It is growth and it is sisterhood
28:13
I think in this time, with all due respect, of lifting up women, empowering women
28:19
We get to tell this story in the body and in the shoes of a woman
28:22
who's been doing that for six decades. And then we get to share something that playing the one role
28:29
and embracing each other, bracing the women in the audience, it's really been an empowering, growing experience
28:37
Beautiful. I mean, honestly, the exact same. Getting to these scenes where the three of us get to be on stage together
28:44
and sing together and act together and have these really fun and serious scenes
28:49
and the way it's written, it's just, it's rare, and it's interesting and it's so rewarding
28:55
And with these two souls, it's just, it's, it's just really great
28:59
It's, yeah, it feels powerful. It feels full of love and safe and it's a great thing
29:05
Safe, again, safe. I was going to say sisterhood too. Yeah, it's just so special
29:11
I don't, I mean, I don't know, but I don't think that this happens every time
29:15
So I'm like holding it and not letting go. Can I thank you for the best afternoon
29:21
to have your three shares here sitting here with me has meant the world to me
29:25
and to all your fans of Broadway World and just keep doing what you're doing because this show is absolutely spectacular
29:31
Thank you. If I could find back time if I could find a way
29:37
I take back those words that hurt you and you'd stay. I can be all my soul
30:23
I can feel something I'm sorry to say I really don't think it's strong enough no
30:32
do you believe in life after love You haven't seen the last of me
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