Spice Girls reunite to launch Viva Forever musical
The Spice Girls assembled in London Tuesday to unveil details of the upcoming jukebox musical based on their hit pop songs.
The new musical Viva Forever was written by comedian and Absolutely Fabulous co-creator Jennifer Saunders. It follows a girl and her friends whose bond is tested after they enter a TV talent show and must deal with overnight fame and celebrity culture.
Slated to open at the Piccadilly Theatre in London's West End in December, Viva Forever is being spearheaded by Judy Craymer, who also produced the hit Abba musical Mamma Mia!
"It's better than we could ever have imagined," Melanie "Sporty Spice" Chisholm said of the show on Tuesday.
"They sing it better than us," added Melanie Brown, aka "Scary Spice."
The two were joined by fellow members, Emma "Baby Spice" Bunton, Geri "Ginger Spice" Halliwell and Victoria "Posh Spice" Beckham, at Tuesday's announcement — held at London's St. Pancras Hotel, where the group shot the video for its first high-energy hit: Wannabe.
The quintet burst onto the scene in 1996, with a mantra of "girl power." The group topped the music charts in more than 30 countries with songs like Spice Up Your Life, Say You'll Be There, Too Much, 2 Become 1, Goodbye and Viva Forever, going on to sell more than 75 million albums around the globe.
They also starred in the film Spice World in 1997, but trouble began brewing just a year later when Halliwell left the group. Though the remaining members continued together for some time, the Spice Girls each moved on to solo careers after 2000.
In 2007, all five original members reunited for a reunion tour that ended in Toronto in 2008.
The Spice Girls have shown "so much encouragement and support" for the musical," according to Craymer.
"The positivity, energy, humour, excitement and friendships that encapsulated the Spice Girls and their songs have inspired the whole creative team."
The musical will introduce "a whole new generation to 'girl power,'" said Beckham.
Viva Forever will begin previews Nov. 27 and officially open Dec. 11 in London.