George Michael Reborn is the leading George Michael lookalike-soundalike-movealike tribute, starring Robert Bartko, who sings 100% LIVE (no lip-syncing). Robert has sold out the famed House of Blues and toured PACs, theaters, and casinos nationwide, including the Arcada Theatre, Lancaster PAC, Memorial Hall OTR (Cincinnati), and Van Wezel PAC (Sarasota).
George Michael is one of the most successful pop artists in modern music history: 125+ million records sold worldwide, 10 #1 Billboard Hot 100 singles, two Grammy Awards (including 1989 Album of the Year for “Faith” — the first solo artist to win for a debut album), 2023 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction with WHAM!, and 2024 Songwriters Hall of Fame induction. The catalog spans WHAM!-era pop (“Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” “Last Christmas,” “Careless Whisper”) through Grammy-winning solo career (“Faith,” “Father Figure,” “Freedom ’90,” “One More Try”).
Friends in Boardman, Ohio first noticed Robert’s striking resemblance to George in seventh grade — and he also sang exactly like George, with the same vocal range and stylings. Robert has spent decades imitating George’s signature vocal phrasing and dance moves. Most George Michael tributes deliver one or two of these credentials. Robert delivers all three.
As event producer Bicoastal Productions puts it: “For venues who are desperately trying to find shows that truly appeal to that elusive ‘younger demographic’ — without disenfranchising the core Baby Boomer crowd — George Michael Reborn is your ticket to success.” George’s catalog uniquely spans the WHAM!-era pop that hit Gen-X and older Millennials, the Faith era that hit Boomers, and the 2023 Netflix WHAM! documentary that brought Gen-Z. Plus a major LGBTQ+ following that opens Pride and queer-friendly programming.
George Michael passed away on Christmas Day 2016 at age 53. Cultural relevance has grown, not faded: 2023 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, 2024 Songwriters Hall of Fame, 2023 Netflix WHAM! documentary, “Last Christmas” finally hit UK #1 in 2021 (37 years after release), and the never-before-seen “George Michael: The Faith Tour” concert film premieres worldwide in cinemas in 2026.
Documented venue and event-producer endorsements:
“For venues who are desperately trying to find shows that truly appeal to that elusive ‘younger demographic’ — without disenfranchising the core Baby Boomer crowd — George Michael Reborn is your ticket to success.” — Bicoastal Productions — event production and tribute artist booking
Plus sold-out performance at the famed House of Blues, a hometown premiere at the Robins Theatre (Warren, OH) benefiting the United Way of Trumbull County, a Vee Quiva Casino Valentine’s Day show, and a “Good Things Utah” ABC4 TV interview tied to The Commonwealth Room engagement (Salt Lake City). Documented PAC and theater bookings include the Arcada Theatre (St. Charles IL), Lancaster Performing Arts Center (CA), Memorial Hall OTR (Cincinnati), Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts (IL), Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall (Sarasota FL), Riviera Theatre (NY), and Academy Center of the Arts (Lynchburg VA).
George Michael Reborn is a proven fit for:
George Michael Reborn performs the WHAM! and George Michael solo catalog with numerous authentic wardrobe changes across the WHAM! era, the Faith era, and the Listen Without Prejudice era.
George Michael Reborn, starring Robert Bartko, is the incredible tribute to the late, great George Michael and WHAM! The show is a must-see, with Robert’s live vocals (NO lip-syncing), the energy and passion of George in the 80s and 90s, the crowd on the dance floor for “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” and standing ovations for “Careless Whisper.” Robert is a spot-on George Michael lookalike with the vocal range, dance moves, crowd interaction, and charisma the real George brought to the stage. Even the numerous costume changes across the WHAM! era, the Faith era, and the Listen Without Prejudice era are authentic George Michael wardrobe.
A life-long fan of George Michael and WHAM!, Robert Bartko was born and raised in Boardman, Ohio, and attended St. Charles School before his family moved to Florida, where he attended high school. It was during his early high school years that friends began pointing out the incredible resemblance between George and Robert. A singer in the drama club, Robert also had a voice that amazingly sounded exactly like George Michael’s. Throughout the following years, Robert began imitating the star’s signature vocal stylings and dance moves. He has had a successful career as a solo recording artist and producer, and after the passing of his idol on Christmas Day 2016, Robert began dedicating his talents to pay tribute to the late superstar with an electrifying live tribute show.
Robert has thrilled audiences at clubs, concerts, private and corporate events, festivals, and tribute shows throughout the country, including a sold-out performance at the famed House of Blues. Documented venue credits include the Lancaster Performing Arts Center (CA), the Arcada Theatre (St. Charles IL), the Memorial Hall OTR (Cincinnati OH), the Robins Theatre (Warren OH) for a hometown premiere benefiting United Way of Trumbull County, the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts (IL), the Riviera Theatre (NY), the Academy Center of the Arts (Lynchburg VA), Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall (Sarasota FL), The Commonwealth Room (Salt Lake City UT, with a Good Things Utah ABC4 TV interview), Main Street Crossing (Tomball TX), Dodge Park Thursdays (Sterling Heights MI), and Vee Quiva Casino (Arizona) for a Valentine’s Day show. Robert is represented by multiple production and booking organizations including Bicoastal Productions and Love Productions, with George Michael Reborn touring nationally throughout the year.
George Michael Reborn is bookable in multiple formats to fit different event types:
Pricing depends on event date, location, routing, travel, production requirements (full-band vs solo-show format, sound, lighting, costume changes), set length, and overall scope. The fastest way to get a real number is to request availability with your event details.
Popular dates can tighten up quickly—especially peak Christmas and holiday programming (November-December “Last Christmas” dates fill very early), Valentine’s Day dinner shows, summer fair and festival weekends, PAC series, casino entertainment, Pride season programming, and high-demand corporate dates. Early inquiries usually create better artist and budget options.
Yes. The act is regularly booked for corporate events, charity galas, private parties, theaters, casinos, fairs, festivals, weddings, holiday parties, and other special events, depending on the event setup and production needs. The flexibility between full-band and solo-show formats makes Robert adaptable for almost any corporate or private event scale.
Three things set George Michael Reborn apart. First, Robert Bartko is a triple-threat lookalike, soundalike, and movealike: friends in Boardman, Ohio first noticed his striking resemblance to George in seventh grade, and Robert also sang exactly like George with the same vocal range. He has spent decades imitating George’s signature vocal phrasing and dance moves. Second, the live-vocal authenticity is strict: NO lip-syncing. Robert sings 100% live, with the vocal range, dance moves, crowd interaction, and charisma the real George Michael delivered. Third, the wardrobe is uncommonly authentic: numerous costume changes across the WHAM! era, the Faith era, and the Listen Without Prejudice era, all authentic George Michael styling. Robert sold out the famed House of Blues, and has built a sustained national PAC, casino, and theater touring footprint.
George Michael passed away on Christmas Day 2016 at age 53. Eight years later, his cultural relevance has only grown: he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2023 (with WHAM!), the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2024, the 2023 Netflix WHAM! documentary introduced a new generation to the catalog, “Last Christmas” finally reached UK #1 in 2021 (37 years after its original release), and the never-before-seen “George Michael: The Faith Tour” concert film premieres in cinemas worldwide in 2026. George Michael Reborn is one of the only credentialed ways to experience this catalog performed live, with the audience appetite for it at a multi-decade high.
Yes, and this is one of the strongest seasonal booking opportunities in any tribute category. “Last Christmas” is one of the best-loved holiday songs ever, and the emotional weight of George’s December 25 passing adds resonance to Christmas-season bookings. November-December dates fill very early.
Yes. “Careless Whisper” is one of THE Valentine’s Day pop songs of all time, and George’s catalog includes a deep bench of love-song programming (“Father Figure,” “One More Try,” “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me”). The Vee Quiva Casino Valentine’s Day show is documented; the dedicated Careless Whisper Valentine’s format is exceptional for upscale casino, theater, and corporate Valentine’s programming.
1980s and 90s pop, dance-pop, blue-eyed soul, and adult-contemporary audiences. Longtime George Michael and WHAM! fans. Multi-generational pop crowds that bridge Gen-X/Millennial nostalgia with Baby Boomer audiences. Gen-Z discovered through the 2023 Netflix WHAM! documentary. LGBTQ+ audiences (George’s catalog has a major LGBTQ+ following). The show plays especially well at PACs, theaters, casinos, House of Blues-style venues, Christmas/holiday programming, Valentine’s programming, Pride season events, and 1980s/90s themed corporate galas.
Yes. If George Michael Reborn is unavailable or not the best fit, TSE can recommend other vetted George Michael, WHAM!, and 1980s/90s pop tribute options based on budget, location, and event style.
Submit an inquiry with your event date, location, event type, and which format you would like (full-band George Michael tribute, stripped-down solo show, Last Christmas holiday show, Careless Whisper Valentine’s Day show, or 1980s pop revue), and TSE can help confirm availability and provide pricing guidance.
Check availability, get pricing, and let TSE match the right George Michael tribute option for your event. Call 800-765-8203 or submit an entertainment request to get started.
