My sister and I are less than two years apart and shared a room until we the end of high school. Needless to say, we cannot go five minutes without arguing. The arguments started early in our life, perhaps in 1984, when I was eight and she was six.
I remember these arguments vividly. They revolved around our shared ghetto blaster and whether we were going to listen to Duran Duran or Wham! I contended that Duran Duran was way hotter than Wham!, but my sister would have none of that because Duran Duran wore make up and Wham!, well, they wore short-shorts. Oh, and I guess we argued about the music too.
Years later, I had to confess to my sister that, although she was not completely correct in her assessment of Wham!'s superiority to Duran Duran, I secretly liked them too. George Michael is a gifted singer and if "Last Christmas" isn't the best holiday song ever, then I don't know what is.
I read up on George Michael's (mis)adventures over the years and thought I knew it all until I went to see Wham! The Story Behind the Shorts tonight at the Cavern Club Celebrity Theater in Silverlake. For example, there was the time when...and then there was...
I really hate those assholes who spoil a good story. Just know that this is an incredibly witty look at 1980s pop superstardom with lines that feel as if they were written by French & Saunders and filled with clever renditions of Wham! classics.
I don't know if there are plans to perform this again, but, if so, you must see it. In the meantime, Martin Zungo, who portrayed George Michael in the play (I think he wrote it as well, but don't quote me on it), is playing with his band Sounds of Asteroth on Thursday at the Parlour.