Toth joins Obie Award-winning set designer Myung Hee Cho, Tony Award-winning Broadway costumer Gregg Barnes, Ovation Award-winning sound designer Martin Carrillo and Obie Award-winning, theatre/rock concert lighting guru -- Anne Militello.
Gregg Barnes, who originally worked on "The Kathy and Mo Show," which brought Kathy Najimy to prominence, will have four shows mounted in succession on Los Angeles' stages -- "The Drowsy Chaperone" (2006 Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Award, Olivier nomination); Broadway-bound "Minsky's" at the Ahmanson Theatre; "Legally Blonde" (2007 Tony nomination) at the Pantages Theatre; and "Back to Bacharach and David."
Kathy Najimy, who directs and conceived the show with musical arranger Steve Gunderson said, "These songs defined 'cool' then and define 'cool' now. Every generation since this music was created, has found relevance in it, been drawn to it, and recreated it. This show is a blast to work on -- sexy, moving and funny - with brilliant arrangements. We approach the Bacharach-David catalogue with tons of humor and awe, updated with a modern twist -- with four of the most kick ass voices around - and we are thrilled to have the encouragement of Mr. Bacharach and Mr. David themselves for our new production."
Burt Bacharach said, "I saw this show in San Diego a couple of years ago and was quite impressed with the presentation and the musicality. I have always been very particular about how my music is presented on stage and have had some disappointments in the past. Steve Gunderson's musicality and Kathy Najimy's direction makes this a very exciting prospect for me."
Gunderson said, "After Burt saw the show, I didn't know what he would make of it. The original recordings are masterpieces of arrangements. But he just took me aside and became our instant champion. The next thing I knew, we were chatting about those 'crazy chords' I used in 'Walk On By.'"
"Soon after, Kathy and I then found ourselves in a meeting with Burt and his agent. Burt put in a call to Hal David, who had been a supportive force behind the original New York production. And then both Bacharach and David were behind this new production."
Tony Award-winning producer Joan Stein said, "'Back to Bacharach and David' will open in Los Angeles, with a new look and new all-star cast --- enhanced by the party, rock-concert, festive food and drink, night club atmosphere that the Music Box provides."
Of the original production, Stephen Holden wrote in The New York Times, "It is too good a show not to have many other lives. Three decades ago, Burt Bacharach and Hal David began creating a series of hits for Dionne Warwick that fused the worlds of Cole Porter and Motown in songs so supercharged they threatened to jump out of their skins. And in 'Back to Bacharach and David,' Steve Gunderson, a gifted arranger, has stitched about thirty of these songs into a spirited musical tribute ... directed by long-time friend Kathy Najimy, it regards 1960's pop with playful eyes ... what lifts it, is the show's nearly perfect balance between tribute and comedy."
In 1992 Newsday said, "Back to Bacharach and David" is "A pinball game that whizzes, rings and lights up with high spirits from beginning to breathless end."
The New York Native said, "Under the innovative direction of the multi-talented Kathy Najimy, this celebration of the team of Bacharach and David, while at times wildly irreverent, is so filled with high points that, this new musical revue may prove to be the most outstanding offering this year - on or off Broadway. This is one glorious pastiche, deliciously packaged. It deserves to run forever - it's that good."
Tickets are available through www.etix.com. "Back to Bacharach and David" is produced by Jim Gunderson, Steve Gunderson, and Kathy Najimy. The executive producer is Joan Stein.
Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.
