'Going Bacharach' extended through June 21 at Chicago’s Apollo Theater

Due to popular demand, Going Bacharach: The Songs of an Icon has been extended through June 21 at the Apollo Theater Chicago Fresh from a record-breaking New York engagement, this vibrant musical revue celebrates the enduring genius of Burt Bacharach, whose songs have long defined the emotional soundtrack of modern life.

Conceived and produced by Jack Lewin and directed by Tony Award-winner David Zippel, the production arrives in Chicago intact with its original New York cast and creative team. That continuity is part of the show’s appeal, preserving the chemistry that made its Off-Broadway run such a sensation. Critics in New York praised its intimacy and musical precision, noting how seamlessly it blends nostalgia with fresh energy.

The revue brings together a trio of powerhouse vocalists, including Hilary Kole, John Pagano and Ta-Tynisa Wilson, each offering their own interpretation of Bacharach’s rich catalog. They are joined onstage by Adrian Galante, who also serves as music director while leading a five-piece band. Together, they breathe new life into timeless favorites such as “Alfie,” “Walk On By,” “I Say a Little Prayer” and “What the World Needs Now,” songs that feel as immediate today as when they first topped the charts.

What sets this production apart is its sense of storytelling through song. Rather than simply revisiting familiar hits, the performers uncover new emotional textures in Bacharach’s music, revealing both its sophistication and its surprising intimacy. The arrangements, crafted by Galante with musical supervision from Tedd Firth, balance elegance with spontaneity, allowing each number to unfold with clarity and heart.

Bacharach’s legacy looms large over the evening. Over a career spanning nearly seven decades, he collaborated with lyricists such as Hal David and Carole Bayer Sager, creating a body of work that bridged the Great American Songbook and contemporary pop. His songs have been recorded by legends ranging from Dionne Warwick and Aretha Franklin to Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley, and continue to resonate with new generations of artists and audiences alike.

The Chicago engagement offers a chance to experience these songs in a setting that feels both polished and personal. Scenic design by Christopher Swader and Justin Swader, along with costumes by Frank Cazares, creates a sleek backdrop that keeps the focus squarely on the music. The result is an evening that feels less like a concert and more like a conversation between artists and audience.

With ticket prices ranging from accessible seats to VIP cabaret experiences, the production invites both longtime Bacharach devotees and curious newcomers to rediscover a catalog that has shaped decades of popular music. Whether it is the wistful romance of “Close to You” or the quiet optimism of “What the World Needs Now,” the songs carry a timeless appeal that continues to connect across generations.

(For tickets and performance schedule, click here)

(This article was updated 5/18/26)