Kyle Riabko and Laura Dreyfuss in What’s It All About? Bacharach Reimagined
(©Eric Ray Davidson)

Don’t expect brassy horns or Dionne Warwick-style belting in What’s It All About? Bacharach Reimagined, the accurately titled new musical revue celebrating the work of the legendary pop composer. This show featuring some two dozen pop classics indeed reinterprets them in startling fashion, presenting the material in a rhythmic, indie rock style a la such performers as Bon Iver and Sufjan Stevens. But while the stripped-down approach to the songs is certainly original, it also has the unfortunate effect of draining the life out of most of them.

Opinions will no doubt be sharply divided on the show co-conceived by Kyle Riabko and David Lane Seltzer, with the former also serving as performer and musical arranger. Being a huge Bacharach fan myself, I’m not necessarily averse to hearing his music performed in a different style. But the seven- member ensemble deliver nearly every number in the same low-key, sincere manner that ultimately proves simply monotonous.

The beauty of the melodies of such songs as “This Guy’s in Love With You,” “The Look of Love,” “Close to You” and so many others still shines brightly, as do the lyrics by Bacharach’s longtime collaborator Hal David and several others. But the overly solemn delivery feels dirge-like, giving the staged concert the feel of a memorial service rather than a celebration. And the youthfulness of the performers and overall preciousness of the staging make it resemble a very special episode of Glee.

Riabko starts off the evening solo, with a heartfelt introduction and the playing of an inconsequential message left on his answering machine by the composer himself. Playing guitar and singing in a sweet tenor voice, he comes across as a lightweight, with the rest of the performers—Daniel Bailen, Laura Dreyfuss, James Nathan Hopkins, Nathaly Lopez, James Williams and Daniel Woods, many of them doubling as instrumentalists--making a similarly underwhelming impression.

The songs are often presented in mashed-up, medley form, mostly to their detriment. Verses of one number bleed into another, giving them the feel of snippets. Director Steve Hoggett (Once, American Idiot) seems intent on compensating for the lack of musical spark by employing constant bits of silly stage business. During “Walk on By,” the performers solemnly arrange chairs onto a circular platform in the center of the stage, which mainly serves to reference the opening lyrics of the next number, “A House is Not a Home” (“A chair is still a chair).” For “Make It Easy on Yourself,” the performers revolve on the spinning platform for an apparent reason whatsoever.

Adding to the overall Williamsburg hipster vibe is the extravagant set design by Christine Jones and Brett J. Banakis featuring large rugs and countless antique lamps. Sofas in several corners of the stage accommodate not only the performers but also several audience members who seem pleased by the close proximity. Japhy Weideman’s overly busy lighting design tries too hard to be in synch with the music, while the choreography seems all too similar to Hoggett’s work on Once.

To be fair, there are some outstanding moments, such as Lopez’ slow, soulful take on “Don’t Make Me Over” and Dreyfuss’ equally affecting “Walk on By.” In general, the solo numbers are more effective than the group ones which suffer from excessive busyness.

By the end of the 90-minute evening, the net effect is more enervating than exhilarating, not a quality one would normally associate with Bacharach’s buoyant music. The only moment of pure fun comes with the encore, “What’s New, Pussycat,” no doubt chosen because it’s virtually impossible to deliver it in serious fashion.

The endless eagerness to please is reinforced by yet another cutesy gimmick. Leaving the theater, the audience is greeted by the performers who have already rushed outside to serenade us with “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head.” Fortunately for both them and us, it was a blissfully clear night.

New York Theatre Workshop, 79 E. 4th St. 212-279-4200. www.ticketcentral.com. Through Jan. 5.