New York Theatre Workshop Extends WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT? Through 2/16

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director Jeremy Blocker have announced that What's It All About? Bacharach Reimagined will extend two additional weeks through Sunday, February 16, 2014 at NYTW, 79 East 4 Street, between Bowery and Second Avenue. The musical had originally been scheduled to run through January 5 and then, following rave reviews and strong box office, received a four-week extension through February 2.

What's It All About? Bacharach Reimagined, music by Burt Bacharach; lyrics by Hal David and others; musical arrangements by Kyle Riabko; conceived by Kyle Riabko and David Lane Seltzer; directed by Steven Hoggett, opened Thursday, December 5, and the critics raved:

The enduring music of Burt Bacharach is given new life as musician and actor Kyle Riabko (Spring Awakening, Hair) performs his unique, soulful arrangements of the Bacharach songbook with an eclectic group of young musicians and performers. Steven Hoggett, whose choreography has been featured in such diverse works as Once, Peter and the Starcatcher, and Black Watch, returns to NYTW, this time as director. What's It All About? is a re-introduction to the timeless music of Bacharach through the eyes and ears of a new generation.

The cast of What's It All About? is Daniel Bailen, Laura Dreyfuss, James Nathan Hopkins, Nathaly Lopez, Kyle Riabko, James Williams, and Daniel Woods.

Kyle Riabko's credits include Spring Awakening (Broadway, National Tour) and Hair (Broadway). At the age of 17, he released full-length album of original material on Columbia/Aware Records. He has been an opening act for John Mayer, Maroon 5, Jason Mraz, BB King, Buddy Guy, and JAmes Brown, among others. He has appeared in numerous film and television roles. Kyle grew up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Steven Hoggett's Broadway credits include the current production of The Glass Menagerie, Once (Obie, Lortel, Callaway awards, Tony nomination; also NYTW, West End), American Idiot, Peter and the Starcatcher (Lortel Award; also at NYTW). West End credits include The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. International credits include Rocky the Musical (Stage Entertainments, Hamburg), Rigoletto (Met Opera), The Full Monty (Sheffield), Let the Right One In, Black Watch (Olivier Award, Best Choreographer), The Bacchae (National Theatre of Scotland), The Light Princess (Royal National Theatre). As director/choreographer, credits include Lovesong, Beautiful Burnout, Othello (TMA Award, Best Director). He is a founding member of Frantic Assembly.

Burt Bacharach has been one of the most-honored and successful composers for six decades. His music is as diverse as his audiences, spanning generations and continents, as he is celebrated both as a pop culture icon and one of the world's greatest contemporary composers. Bacharach's song credits include "Alfie," "Arthur's Theme," "Close To You," "Do You Know The Way To San Jose," "I Say A Little Prayer," "I'll Never Fall In Love Again," "On My Own," "That's What Friends Are For," "This Guy's In Love With You," "Walk On By," "What The World Needs Now Is Love," and "Wishin' And Hopin'." He has written nine #1 songs, 48 Top 10 hits, and over 70 Top 40 hits. Bacharach and Hal David were the recipients of the 2012 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. Bacharach is also the recipient of three Academy Awards, and eight Grammys, including the 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award and 1997 Trustees Award. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and is the recipient of other tributes received from top music industry institutions to governments, universities and charitable and philanthropic groups. Bacharach's memoir, Anyone Who Had a Heart, was published in May 2013.

What's It All About? plays at New York Theatre Workshop, 79 East 4th Street, between Second Avenue and Bowery. The regular performance schedule is Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:00pm; Thursday and Friday at 8:00pm; Saturday at 3pm and 8pm; Sunday at 2pm and 7pm. Tickets are $85 and may be purchased online at www.ticketcentral.com, 24 hours a day, seven days a week or by phoning Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200, noon - 8pm daily. For exact dates and times of performance, visit www.nytw.org.

Tickets for the NYTW production of Caryl Churchill's Love and Information, which begins previews at the Minetta Lane Theatre on February 4, are also currently on sale.

NYTW also introduced a $30 under 30 ticket price for What's It All About? Audience members under the age of 30 will be eligible to purchase $30 tickets for day of performances online, over the phone, and at the box office for performances January 7 - February 2, 2014. A valid ID will be required at the box office in order to claim tickets.

The NYTW Box office is open 1:00pm to 6:00pm, Tuesday through Saturday.

Photo Credit: Jennifer Broski