STOP YOUR ENTIRE LIFE RIGHT NOW, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I NEED SOMEBODY WITH A HUMAN TOUCH SO SIT THE FUCK DOWN.
I remember it well: Summer camp, 1997. Two boys, face-to-face, staring intensely into each other’s eyes. A crowd encircled us quickly as he spoke the first words: “So, here’s the story from A to Z…” It was a rap battle, deep in the woods behind the YMCA. The verse in question? The breakdown of “Wannabe” by The Spice Girls. I won, obviously (he got caught up on the “Easy V doesn’t come for free” bit), but the point is this–well, there are two points. One: That sweet, precious moment of victory was the only time I was considered the cool kid at camp. Two: “Wannabe” changes lives.
One year prior, the Spice Girls released “Wannabe,” one of the most important, influential pop records of the past century. The song effectively launched a revolution in pop culture, resulting in a flurry of girl power, platform heels, Union Jack mini-dresses and bubblegum pop in the late ’90’s–all wrapped around a semi-questionable notion that a suitor must “get with” your friends before trying anything. It also brought the term zig-a-zig-HA to the public consciousness.
Today, the Girls–nay, Women of Spice have reunited on the very same steps of the London hotel where the video for “Wannabe” was filmed sixteen years ago (you’re old–it’s true!) to announce the premiere of their upcoming musical, Viva Forever. This is what we in the industry like to refer to as A LEGENDARY POP MOMENT.
According to some of the privileged attendees at the launch, the show will not only include the signature Spice hits, but also subtle Spice inclusions that ought to have hardcore fans drooling, including a mash-up of “Goodbye” and “Mama,” Spice World‘s “Do It,” Forever‘s “Right Back Atcha,” Geri‘s “Look At Me” and Mel C‘s “I Turn To You.” (Whether or not “Move Over” has made the cut remains TBD–fingers and toes crossed.)
For more on the show, check out the newly launched official website.
And let it just be said now: The ladies are looking fine, sexy and glamorous. Still iconic, sixteen years and counting.
Viva Forever opens on November 27 at Piccadilly Theater in London and was produced by Judy Craymer (Mamma Mia!) and written by AbFab‘s Jennifer Saunders.
