The Burt Bacharach compilation show, WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT, is heading to the West End after its successful run, Off West End. It has a new name, CLOSE TO YOU and is about to move to the Criterion Theatre on Piccadilly Circus.
The show's popularity should come as no surprise to anyone. When it was first conceived at New York Theatre Workshop it became the longest running show in the prestigious venues history and we love the work of this amazing song writer just as much in the UK.
I haven't seen it yet but as a celebration of some of the most popular songs for movies and the charts ever written I know I'll have a great evening.
Burt Freeman Bacharach, American singer, songwriter, composer, record producer and pianist wrote 73 US and 52 UK Top 40 hits from the late 1950s to the 1980s, many with lyrics written by Hal David. The songs were often tailored to the talents of vintage recording artists like Dionne Warwick, Gene Pitney, Cilla Black, Dusty Springfield, and The Carpenters who made them huge commercial hits on both sides of the Atlantic.
Audiences Off Broadway and now in London can't get enough of the smooth, easy listening composer whose infectious tunes and poignant lyrics seem to perfectly fit with so many moments in life.
If you're over 50 just a few bars of evocative musical numbers like "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head", "Alfie", "I Say a Little Prayer", "Close to You", "The Look of Love" and "Magic Moments" will transport you right back in time to when you first heard them.
If you're under 50 and love to discover wonderful old songs that are beautifully crafted, this dip into Bacharach's catalogue of hits from the 1960s and 70s will introduce you to just as many gems as studying musical giants like Irving Berlin and Cole Porter from the U.S. pre and post war era.
Kyle Riabko who conceived the show with acclaimed Brit choreographer Steven Hoggett (ONCE, AMERICAN IDIOT) will continue to star and a new supporting cast will be announced soon.
It finished its sell out run at the Menier last Saturday (5 September) and will run at the Criterion from 3 October.
Don't be surprised if it lasts there for as many years as its long running predecessor at this address, 39 STEPS.
So after a very damp and rainy summer it’s suddenly Autumn!