CLOSE TO YOU: Bacharach Reimagined Announces Extension, Thru Feb. 14

CLOSE TO YOU: BACHARACH REIMAGINED has today announced that it is extending its West End transfer at the Criterion Theatre until Valentine's Day 14 February 2016. The new booking period is now on sale.

Opening to public and critical acclaim on 15 October, new musical CLOSE TO YOU featuring Burt Bacharach's songbook, broke box office records at the Criterion Theatre with the biggest advance in the venue's history.

Sally Greene, Chief Executive of the Criterion Theatre said: 'I couldn't be more thrilled that we have been able to agree an extension of five weeks with the wonderful company of Close To You. It has been a pleasure to welcome such a warm-hearted and joyous show, and even better that they have broken all box office records!'

Burt Bacharach said: 'CLOSE TO YOU: Bacharach Reimagined' is a beautiful Valentine to me, and it's also a Valentine to the audiences who are fortunate enough to experience it. I'm thrilled to hear that its West End run is being extended due to popular demand until Valentine's Day which also seems very fitting since most of my songs are love songs. I am in awe of what Kyle Riabko has done with my music, and I'm truly in love with this extraordinary show. It's very gratifying to know that London audiences have embraced 'CLOSE TO YOU' and my music in the way that they have and that they'll have the next few months to see the show if they haven't already, or to see it again before it ends its glorious run at The Criterion Theatre in Piccadilly Circus on the 14th of February.'

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.

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. The production at the Criterion Theatre will be the last opportunity for audiences to see the show in the West End.

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 makes 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 Thrones and 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.

Daniel Bailen, Anastacia McClesky, and James Williams are appearing with the permission of Actors' Equity Association. The Producers gratefully acknowledge Actors' Equity Association for its assistance of this production.

LISTINGS

CLOSE TO YOU

Bacharach Reimagined

Venue: Criterion Theatre

Address: 2 Jermyn St, London SW1Y 4XA

Dates: Saturday 3 October - Sunday 14 February, 2016

Times: Until Sun 10 Jan

Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat at 7.30pm; Wed, Sat at 3pm; Sun at 2.30pm & 6pm From Mon 11 Jan Mon - Sat at7.30pm; Wed, Sat at 3pm Additional performances Sun 14 Feb at 2.30pm and 6pm No performance Mon 11 Jan

Box Office: 0844 847 1778

Website: CloseToYouLondon.com

Facebook: /CloseToYouLDN

Twitter: @CloseToYouLDN

BURT BACHARACH (Music)

BURT BACHARACH has been one of the most honoured and successful composers for over six decades. 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. Other awards include three Academy Awards and eight Grammys, including the 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award and 1997 Trustees Award, and he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Bacharach's memoir, Anyone Who Had a Heart, was published in May 2013.

HAL DAVID and others (Lyrics)

HAL DAVID was the recipient of an Academy Award for "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head," more than 30 gold records, a Grammy, the NARM Presidential Award, the Grammy Trustees Award from NARAS as well as their New York Heroes Award and the British Ivor Novello Award. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and received the coveted Johnny Mercer Award. Some of the film scores for which Mr. David wrote lyrics are Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Alfie, What's New Pussycat?, Casino Royale and The Return of the Pink Panther, among others.

KYLE RIABKO (Musical Arrangements, Co-Conceiver, Musical Direction, Cast)

Kyle Riabko is a singer, guitarist, composer and actor who was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Before starring on Broadway in both Spring Awakening and Hair, Kyle released a full-length album of original music on Columbia Records, and spent his teen years touring as an opening act for a wide range of artists, including: BB King, James Brown, John Mayer, Keb Mo, Buddy Guy, Maroon 5, Jason Mraz, and others. He has also appeared as an actor in various film and television projects.

DAVID LANE SELTZER (Producer, Co-Conceiver)

David Lane Seltzer is the managing partner and co-founder of Management 360 in Los Angeles. Management 360 is a leading entertainment company, responsible for managing the careers of many of today's most prominent artists, as well as producing prestigious films including the upcoming, highly anticipated Danny Boyle-directed STEVE JOBS biopic, television including the blockbuster series GAME OF THRONES, theatre and other creative content.

STEVEN HOGGETT (Director)

Broadway: Choreography/Movement direction: Once (Tony nomination), The Curious Incident of The Dog in the Night-Time, American Idiot, Peter and the Starcatcher, The Glass Menagerie, The Last Ship, Rocky the Musical, West End:Once, The Curious Incident of The Dog in the Night-Time. Other: Rigoletto (Metropolitan Opera), The Full Monty (Sheffield Theatres), Dr Dee (MIF/ENO), The Light Princess (National Theatre), Let The Right One In, Black Watch (Olivier Award, Best Choreographer), The Bacchae (National Theatre of Scotland). As founding Artistic Director of Frantic Assembly: Little Dogs, Lovesong, Beautiful Burnout, Othello, Stockholm, Pool (No Water), Dirty Wonderland. Author: The Frantic Assembly Book of Devising Theatre (Routledge; cowritten with Scott Graham).

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