Close To You is a stunning recording that takes me back to what for me was a very special night in the theatre. I daresay it will be played with frightening regularity here, and I hope that many of you will get a copy and have a listen to Kyle Riabko’s wonderous reimagining of one of the greatest songwriter’s of our time. Bravo!
Trying to highlight individual performances or individual songs is pointless, this is a show to be savoured as whole, not just once but many times.
To celebrate its press night tonight Close To You – The Burt Bacharach Musical have released this great new trailer. Performed by a young, multi-talented cast led by the visionary musician and performer Kyle Riabko, the show features Riabko’s thrillingly new yet beautifully faithful interpretations of Bacharach’s classics. Blending nostalgia and innovation, generations old and new can now revel in all the hits as if for the very first time. The show redefines the songbook musical by fusing this extraordinary reinterpretation of over 30 timeless Bacharach melodies with innovative choreography, taking the audience on an emotional and exhilarating journey. Burt Bacharach has given the show his wholehearted and enthusiastic support, exclaiming, “It’s brilliant. Kyle has done something truly unique with my music. I loved it!” Read our review with Kyle Riabko BritishTheatre.com has tickets available for £35 for performances until the end of October. Book Now!
Kyle Riabko spent his teen years touring as a support act for artists like BB King, James Brown and Jason Mraz before appearing on Broadway in shows like Hair and Spring Awakening. Kyle is the musical visionary and lead performer behind Close To You – Bacharach Reimagined, a new production that features fresh, yet faithful re-interpretations of classic Bacharach songs. Douglas Mayo spoke to Kyle this week, just as the show began previews at London’s Criterion Theatre. How did Close To You come about as a project? I was lucky enough to meet Burt in a recording studio in Los Angeles. I had been asked to come by to sing on some demos for some new music he was writing. It was a very exciting thing to be asked to do. When I got there, (not to be too cheesy), it was sort of a magical moment and we sort … Read more
A great new trailer has been released for Close To You – Bacharach Reimagined ahead of it’s West End Transfer to the Crierion Theatre. Performed by a young, multi-talented cast led by the visionary musician and performer Kyle Riabko, the show features Riabko’s thrillingly new yet beautifully faithful interpretations of Bacharach’s classics. Blending nostalgia and innovation, generations old and new can now revel in all the hits as if for the very first time. The show redefines the songbook musical by fusing this extraordinary reinterpretation of over 30 timeless Bacharach melodies with innovative choreography, taking the audience on an emotional and exhilarating journey. Burt Bacharach has given the show his wholehearted and enthusiastic support, exclaiming, “It’s brilliant. Kyle has done something truly unique with my music. I loved it!” Close To You begins performances at the Criterion Theatre on 3rd October. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A DISCOUNTED TICKET OFFER FOR PERFORMANCES … Read more
Following a critically acclaimed season at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Close To You Bacharach Reimagined, a new musical featuring Burt Bacharach’s songbook will transfer to the Criterion Theatre from 3rd October 2015. Book tickets to Closer To You Performed by a young, multi-talented cast led by the visionary musician and performer Kyle Riabko, the show features Riabko’s thrillingly new yet beautifully faithful interpretations of Bacharach’s classics. Blending nostalgia and innovation, generations old and new can now revel in all the hits as if for the very first time. The show redefines the songbook musical by fusing this extraordinary reinterpretation of over 30 timeless Bacharach melodies with innovative choreography, taking the audience on an emotional and exhilarating journey. Burt Bacharach has given the show his wholehearted and enthusiastic support, exclaiming, “It’s brilliant. Kyle has done something truly unique with my music. I loved it!” Close To You is directed by Steven … Read more
There are shreds and patches of key songs, which, like Wagnerian leitmotifs, bind the whole experience, make it less a concert and more a pop/rock/r&b opera. “What’s it all about, Alfie?” is a key theme, appearing constantly throughout and, in a simple way, it provides the intellectual underpinning to the experience. Riabko and Selzer ask what Bacharach’s music is all about and shows you their answer. Emotionally complex, beguilingly catchy, intensely human, and tuneful in an all pervading kind of way.
