George Michael fans will be on their feet dancing and singing along with U.K. performer Rory Phelan and New York City actor/singer Craig Winberry who headline The Life and Music of George Michael, a brand-new, concert-style show chronicling the amazing journey of one of the best-selling artists in world history on Saturday, February 26, 2022, at the Appell Center for the Performing Arts. Produced by Right Angle Entertainment, Maple Tree Entertainment and Quatro Entertainment, the show recalls all the hit songs from his early days with Wham! through his illustrious solo career including “Wake Me Up Before You Go Go,” “Freedom,” “Faith,” “Careless Whisper,” “Father Figure,” and many more.
“George Michael’s music will live on forever,” says producer Alison Spiriti of Right Angle Entertainment. “Rory and Craig embody the soul and sound of the legend so well that it is chilling.”
Michael who passed away on Christmas day in 2016, scored eight #1s on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and sold more than 115 million albums worldwide in his four-decade career.
“This show is going to honor George Michael’s career and be a celebration for his fans,” says producer Ralph Schmidtke. “Over the years, George’s popularity has continued to grow, and The Life and Music of George Michael will give fans a glimpse of his life and hear all the songs they have come to love.”
London-based Rory Phelan (‘young George’) is currently starring in the U.K. tour of Heathers: The Musical, and has performed in London’s West End, touring the UK and Ireland and entertaining audiences in Israel and Dubai. One career highlight includes performing at West End Live in Trafalgar Square in Mamma Mia in front of 20,000 people. Other credits include Saturday Night Fever and an international tour of Grease.
Craig Winberry (‘mature George’) is an NYC actor, singer and songwriter who regularly appears at The Stonewall Inn and Feinstein’s/54 Below. He has played dramatic and comedic roles in Off-Broadway productions of Global Gay at La Mama Experimental Theatre Club and Thank You for Being a Friend: The Golden Girls Musical Parody, an official selection for NYC Stonewall 50th PRIDE Celebration.
Michael sold over 115 million albums spanning four decades and rose to fame as a member of Wham! in the early ’80s. He went solo in 1987 with Faith, one of the biggest albums of all time, featuring four number one hits: “Faith,” “Monkey,” “Father Figure,” and “One More Try.” Michael won two GRAMMY® Awards, three BRIT Awards, three American Music Awards, and four MTV Video Music Awards.
The producers of The Life and Music of George Michael will also be donating $1 per ticket sold to Gods Love We Deliver to help serve the community and those living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other serious illnesses.
Follow the show on social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
For more information about The Life and Music of George Michael and for tickets visit appellcenter.org or the Appell Center Box Office at 50 N. George Street in York, PA, or call (717) 846-1111.
To attend this event at the Appell Center on February 26, audiences will be required to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination, a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 5 days of performance time, or a negative COVID-19 antigen test taken within 24 hours of performance time, as well as a valid photo ID. Per current CDC guidance, masks are encouraged during events, and masks are required for guests under the age of 12 who are unable to be vaccinated. Appell Center staff and volunteers will be masked at all times. For the latest vaccination and COVID-19 policies, as well as resources for COVID testing, please visit appellcenter.org//plan-your-visit/covid-policies.
