Confirmed: BURT BACHARACH: CLOSE TO YOU to Transfer to Criterion Theatre

CLOSE TO YOU, a new musical featuring Burt Bacharach's songbook, makes its highly anticipated West End transfer to the Criterion Theatre from 3rd October. Tickets go on sale on Friday 4th September at 10am.

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!"

The show, newly renamed CLOSE TO YOU, premiered to critical acclaim and was a smash hit at New York Theatre Workshop, original home of both Once and Rent, becoming the longest running show in the history of that theatre, followed recently by a sold out and highly acclaimed run at The Menier Chocolate Factory.

Directed by Olivier Award winner Steven Hoggett, best known for his iconic movement for such hits as Once, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and Black Watch, Riabko leads an incredibly talented group of singers and musicians from both sides of the Atlantic through Bacharach's greatest hits.

CLOSE TO YOU will make hearts sing and spirits soar with such classics as Alfie, Anyone Who Had a Heart, I Say a Little Prayer, Magic Moments, The Look of Love, Walk on By, Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head, I'll Never Fall in Love Again, What's New Pussycat, I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself, This Guy's in Love With You, What the World Needs Now is Love and, of course, Close to You.

The New York Theater Workshop / Menier Chocolate Factory production of CLOSE TO YOU is presented in the West End by David Lane Seltzer for Entertainment 360, the producing arm of Management 360, also responsible for the blockbuster TV series Game of Thronesand the upcoming, highly anticipated Danny Boyle-directed Steve Jobs biopic.

CLOSE TO YOU features Music by Burt Bacharach and Lyrics by Hal David and others, with Musical Arrangements by Kyle Riabko who also conceived the show with Seltzer, and is Directed by Steven Hoggett, with Set Design by Christine Jones and Brett Banakis, Costume Design by Matthew Wright, Lighting Design by Tim Lutkin, and Sound Design by Richard Brooker.

Kyle Riabko will be opening the main stage at OnBlackheath Festival on Saturday 12thSeptember at 1.30pm. Also appearing at the Festival are Elbow and Manic Street Preachers. Tickets are available at: www.OnBlackheath.com.

Festival promoter Harvey Goldsmith said: 'I caught Kyle in the show and was blown away by his performance. Booking him for the main stage for OnBlackheath made perfect sense. He will make a fantastic addition to the festival line-up.'

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