Always Something There to Remind Me

Going Bacharach: The Songs of an Icon

One of the finest, most polished, sophisticated and magnificently performed musical revues is now playing for a limited time in the Windy City. The beautiful Apollo Theater Chicago presents an extraordinary concert of gorgeous song and instrumental, which has been playing to enthusiastic music lovers for months now. I’m late to the party, and unfortunately the production is coming to a close this Sunday. But please—do yourself a big favor and hurry over to the classy Lincoln Avenue venue near the L tracks, for a truly memorable entertainment event that will evoke fond memories of the past. Because, as GOING BACHARACH proves, “There’s Always Something There to Remind Me.”

Composer, pianist, and recording artist Burt Bacharach is widely regarded as one of the most talented and influential American artists of pop and easy listening music. Having created hundreds of much-loved songs, often collaborating with lyricist Hal David, Bacharach’s music is known for its atypical chord progressions and unusual changes of time signatures. Burt’s background in jazz can often be heard in much of his music. His unique talent eventually gave the world songs that found their way into both film soundtracks and Broadway scores. A multi-award-wining composer, Mr. Bacharach is known to his many fans for creating hit songs for the Carpenters, the Beatles, Aretha Franklin and, most especially, Dionne Warwick. And in later years Burt worked collaboratively with American songwriters Carol Bayer Sager and Elvis Costello.

This richly rewarding revue, originally conceived by Jack Lewin, was created by the team of Will Friedwald, Tedd Firth, Jack Lewin and the incredible Adrian Galante. The Aussie-born Mr. Galante is unquestionably the star of this production, serving as music director, arranger, orchestrator, emcee, conductor of his talented onstage band, and providing  an unbelievable accompaniment on piano and clarinet. The current trio of performers in the show include lead vocalist John Pagano, who was the primary featured singer for several decades alongside Burt Bacharach and his touring band. He’s incredible in every one of his musical numbers, but one song was an unexpected delight. To preface this particular performance, John explains how, as a child, he used to listen nonstop to a recording of Burt Bacharach’s film hit, “What’s New Pussycat.” After being played so many times, the record began to skip. From there Mr. Pagano proceeds to deliver one of the funniest renditions of that famous Bacharach song, complete with the deleted moments from his dad’s scratched vinyl record.

The other two vocalist treasures in this production are equally as talented and beautiful to watch and enjoy. Ava Locknar is a New York based performer, known primarily for her lovely one-woman shows. Ms. Locknar is a popular vocalist heard all over the country. She has performed at venues like New York’s Birdland, 54 Below and at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry. In addition there’s Eben K. Logan, a favorite Chicago actress and singer. Ms. Logan is a Jeff Award-winner for her stunning performance of Celie in THE COLOR PURPLE at the Drury Lane Theatre. She has also given powerful theatrical performances as Ms. Honey, in MATILDA, Dionne in HAIR, and as Sarah in RAGTIME. Both of these gifted singers give brilliant solo and duet performances, and also provide harmonic backup for John Pagano, as well as for each other. The three vocalists perform with confidence, skill and the ease to comfortably interact with both the audience and each other. 

The playlist for GOING BACHARACH draws from his Broadway and film scores, as well as so many of the maestro’s well-known pop and easy listening hits. They include “Do You Know the Way to San Jose,” “Walk On By,” “I Say a Little Prayer,” “A House is Not a Home,” “Close to You,” “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head,” “What the World Needs Now is Love, Sweet Love,” “Arthur’s Theme (The Best That You Can Do)” “The Look of Love” and “That’s What Friends Are For,” among many others. From Bacharach’s Broadway hit, PROMISES, PROMISES, comes the title song, “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again,” “Knowing When to Leave” and the lovely, melancholy ballad, “Whoever You Are (I Love You).”

One of the show’s highlights is Burt Bacharach’s favorite, of all the songs he wrote: the bittersweet ballad, “Alfie,” which was composed for the Michael Caine movie of the same name. The show is performed on a resplendent and colorfully lit nightclub-inspired setting by Christopher & Justin Swader, with lighting and sound design provided by Matt Berman. The variety of familiar and beloved songs in this show is stellar. 

Along with the exquisite musical mastery by both the vocalists, instrumentalist Adrian Galante and his brilliant onstage band, the show proves one of life’s truths. Musical classics last forever, and hearing a tune from our past can release a flood emotions and fond memories. I only wish that this superbly created, conceived and performed tribute to the music of Burt Bacharach could remain in Chicago forever. It’s really that good. And because Bacharach’s songs are so potent and enjoyable, they also show us that “There’s Always Something There to Remind You” of special and momentous incidents and people from our past. 

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented through June 14 at the Apollo Theatre Chicago, 

2550 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 773-935-6100 or by going to www.apollochicago.com or www.ticketmaster.com

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.

Photos by Russ Rowland