‘Going Bacharach’ at Chicago’s Apollo Theater Turns Burt Bacharach’s Catalog Into a Glamorous Live Tribute for Music Fans
CHICAGO, IL — “Going Bacharach: The Songs of an Icon” arrives at Chicago’s Apollo Theater as a polished, intimate revue built around one of popular music’s most durable songbooks. The show leans into Burt Bacharach’s wide range, moving from elegant pop to jazz-leaning ballads and Broadway material with fresh arrangements throughout.
The production, which came in from off-Broadway, is structured as a two-act celebration rather than a strict retrospective. For fans of Bacharach’s work, the appeal is clear: familiar songs are handled by experienced performers who know how to bring out the sophistication inside the melodies.
A strong cast gives the songs a fresh life
The revue’s three vocalists bring different strengths to the material. John Pagano toured with Bacharach for more than 25 years, giving him a deep familiarity with the composer’s style. Ta-Tynisa Wilson, who appeared in Broadway’s Hamilton, handles many of the songs Bacharach wrote for Dionne Warwick. Hilary Kole, a respected New York jazz singer, rounds out the trio.
David Zippel, who wrote lyrics for The Goodbye Girl and City of Angels, directs the production. The show also features Adrian Galante, a young Australian jazz pianist and conductor who plays clarinet and helped keep the evening lively with his arrangements and musical direction.
Why Bacharach’s songs still feel distinctive
Bacharach’s catalog spans more than 1,000 songs, including standards such as “A House Is Not a Home,” “What the World Needs Now,” “Anyone Who Had a Heart,” “Alfie” and “Close to You.” His work moved easily among film, Broadway, pop radio and jazz-inflected ballads, which is part of what has kept it resonant across generations.
The revue also points to the compositional detail that made Bacharach unusual in the pop world. The songs often shift structure in ways that reward careful interpretation, and the Apollo production makes that complexity part of the fun rather than sanding it down.
A limited Chicago run for fans who want the live experience
The Chicago staging is playing at the Apollo Theatre, 2250 N. Lincoln Ave., through May 17. Tickets are priced from $49 to $99, and the show runs about two hours.
For audience members who love Bacharach’s music, or just want an old-school night out centered on skilled live performance, the revue offers a warm, glamorous reminder of how much life remains in these songs when they are sung and played well.
Chicago's music scene, one story at a time — Chicago Music Guide.
