Alex Rybeck and Steve Washington
Burt Bacharach’s Timeless Sound
Arts Club of Washington, Washington, DC, October 11, 2025
Reviewed by Heather Frank
Grammy-nominated music director, composer, arranger, and pianist Alex Rybeck took center stage for this joyful evening devoted to Burt Bacharach’s musical genius. The joy came from Rybeck’s deep admiration for the celebrated American composer, whom he believes should be just as revered as George Gershwin.
Rybeck began the evening by providing background on Bacharach’s composing style and process, playing samples of “simple” tunes that are quite complex in structure. He said “unpredictable” was the one word he felt described the Bacharach oeuvre, as he pointed out the influences classical composers as Poulenc, Ravel, and Aaron Copland.
Singer Steve Washington, who shares Rybeck’s enthusiasm (the two met on a musical-themed cruise and quickly bonded over all things Bacharach) joined the party and vocally caressed “The Look of Love” as well as a lovely rendition of “This Guy’s in Love with You” that demonstrated his impressive and expressive range (both songs had lyrics by Hal David).
The central part of the show was Rybeck’s spellbinding story of working as a music director on an ill-fated Bacharach musical, during which he spent time with his idol. Bacharach paid Rybeck a tremendous compliment by saying, “It was like listening to myself play. He even rushes the tempo like I do!”
Rybeck and Washington ended the program with a clever medley of Bacharach’s greatest hits, beginning with “(They Long to Be) Close to You” and ending with “What the World Needs Now Is Love” (lyrics by David) with additional vocals provided by the delighted audience. A post-show Q&A offered even more insight into Bacharach’s music.
The Arts Club’s bijoux setting was perfect for this show; it demonstrated the exciting new programming strategy embraced by the club’s leadership, with more cabaret performances to come. In a very Washington touch, reigning Miss America DC, Katie Wadman, attended the show sporting her sash and crown as the guest of Arts Club producer Cliftine Jones.
