Boston, October 19, 2025
News Summary
The staged concert, showcasing the life and music of George Michael, is set to return to the Emerson Colonial Theater in Boston for two performances. Featuring Connor Antico performing Wham hits and Craig Winberry focusing on George Michael’s solo work, this show has garnered significant attention since its premiere in 2022. It has toured widely and sold out performances across the U.S., Canada, and Australia. The concert will highlight iconic tracks, celebrating both the jubilant pop era and the deeper themes present in Michael’s music, particularly among LGBTQ audiences.
Boston — The show returns to the Colonial Theater for two performances on November 1, 2025.
Key details
A staged concert telling the life and music of George Michael will return to Boston’s Emerson Colonial Theater for two performances on November 1, 2025. The staged production features two artists: Connor Antico covers the Wham era while Winberry focuses on George Michael’s solo work. The production has grown from a 2022 premiere into a widely attended touring show, and by 2024 the production had become a sensation, touring the U.S., Canada, and Australia, and selling out Boston’s Emerson Colonial Theater.
Who is performing and what to expect
Craig Winberry will perform material focused on George Michael’s solo catalog while Connor Antico will cover Wham-era songs. The show’s setlist includes bubblegum hits like “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” and significant tracks such as “Outside,” celebrating gay pride, and other iconic songs including “Freedom,” “Faith,” “Freedom ’90,” and “Outside.” The band accompanying Winberry includes members who are Berklee alumni with advanced musical training.
Production history and reception
The staged production was first assembled after a 2021 casting call when Winberry identified the project as a fitting match for his style. The show premiered in 2022 and received early buzz. By 2024 it expanded into widespread touring, described in reporting as touring the U.S., Canada, and Australia, and selling out Boston’s Emerson Colonial Theater. The production model divides the material between two performers to represent different phases of George Michael’s career: Wham-era pop and later solo artistry.
Artist background and related work
Craig Winberry has a history of incorporating George Michael’s songs into his cabaret performances and brings his personal connection to Michael’s music into the production. Winberry has referenced the emotional range of George Michael’s work, pointing to ballads such as “One More Try” as examples of tender sincerity in the catalog. Winberry clarified that he does not view himself as an impersonator but as an artist with deep appreciation for George Michael’s meticulous pop craft.
Winberry’s past performance choices include a noted instance in which he closed a show in a speedo and headdress singing Wham!’s “I’m Your Man” after returning from Carnival in Brazil. In addition to his work on the staged concert, Winberry released an album earlier in the year titled “Sidewalk Survival Guide.” That album displays several musical styles, including gospel, ballads, bossa nova, and pop.
Purpose and audience
The production presents George Michael’s music in a way intended to reflect the artist’s evolving public and private personas. The inclusion of tracks that explicitly celebrate gay pride, such as “Outside,” alongside earlier, upbeat hits is intended to trace both musical development and cultural context. Winberry has described a personal connection to Michael’s use of coded language in pop songwriting and aims to connect with audiences through those threads.
Tickets and further information
For tickets and more details about the show, interested individuals can visit thelifeandmusicofgm.com. Performance logistics, ticketing windows, and seating details are managed by the Emerson Colonial Theater and the production’s official channels.
Background context
The staged concert emerged from a cabaret and casting environment typical of contemporary tribute and jukebox-style theater, where performers curate songs to tell a career-spanning story. The two-artist structure—allocating Wham-era songs to one performer and solo-era material to another—creates a narrative split that highlights both the pop immediacy of early hits and the more complex, later themes in George Michael’s catalog.
Additional production notes
The ensemble supporting the principal vocalists includes skilled musicians with formal training from a noted music school, which contributes to the production’s emphasis on faithful musical arrangements. The show’s tour dynamics through multiple countries and its ability to sell out a major Boston venue by 2024 indicate significant audience interest in staged presentations of well-known pop catalogs.
FAQ
When does the show return to the Colonial Theater?
The show returns to the Colonial Theater for two performances on November 1, 2025.
Who performs in the production?
The performance features two artists: Connor Antico covers the Wham era while Winberry focuses on George Michael’s solo work.
How widely has the show toured?
By 2024, “The Life and Music of George Michael” became a sensation, touring the U.S., Canada, and Australia, and selling out Boston’s Emerson Colonial Theater.
What notable songs are included?
The show includes bubblegum hits like “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” and significant tracks such as “Outside,” celebrating gay pride.
Where can I find ticket information?
For tickets and more details about the show, interested individuals can visit thelifeandmusicofgm.com.
Has Craig Winberry released other work recently?
In addition to touring, Winberry released an album titled “Sidewalk Survival Guide” earlier in the year.
Event at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | The Life and Music of George Michael (staged concert) |
| Date | November 1, 2025 (two performances) |
| Location | Emerson Colonial Theater, Boston |
| Principal performers | Connor Antico (Wham era) and Craig Winberry (solo work) |
| Notable songs | “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go”, “One More Try”, “Outside”, “Freedom”, “Faith”, “Freedom ’90” |
| Tour history | By 2024, “The Life and Music of George Michael” became a sensation, touring the U.S., Canada, and Australia, and selling out Boston’s Emerson Colonial Theater. |
| Tickets and info | For tickets and more details about the show, interested individuals can visit thelifeandmusicofgm.com |
| Related release | Winberry released an album titled “Sidewalk Survival Guide” earlier in the year |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- TheaterMania: The Life and Music of George Michael
- Boston Globe: George Michael’s Cultural Impact
- NY Daily News: George Michael and Taylor Swift
- Wikipedia
- Google Search: The Life and Music of George Michael
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