Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
I have a heartfelt confession: I hold a profound bias regarding The Carole King Musical, which has become my all-time favorite over my decade of reviewing theatrical musicals. The blend of captivating storytelling, enchanting melodies, great singing, and Carole King's remarkable journey resonates with me, making it an unforgettable experience. Witnessing the life of this amazingly talented woman and seeing her growth from a teen, who wrote her first song, married and had a child at seventeen, dealt with her husband Gerry having affairs, used drugs, and then was hospitalized and diagnosed with manic depression, going through a separation with Gerry and allowed him to come back home and having another child, only to discover he was having another affair. With all these issues, King was still able to become one of America's most successful songwriters in American history. Witnessing this extraordinary, talented woman's remarkable journey is inspiring and poignant. From her early teenage years, when she boldly penned her first song, she faced many challenges. Her life took a tumultuous turn when her husband's infidelity shattered her sense of security. Still, she displayed incredible resilience; despite the enormous hurdles, her indomitable spirit allowed her to rise above her experiences. Her story is not just one of success but also personal growth, unyielding determination, and an unwavering passion for her craft. Beautiful: The Carole King Musical is based on her fascinating life. King has made 25 solo albums and 118 pop hits on the Billboard Hot 100, with more than 400 of her compositions recorded by more than 1,000 artists, resulting in 100 hit singles. Hesitant to perform live, she reinvented her career by singing at the Bitter End nightclub. After an unsuccessful album, she hit gold with Tapestry, a generational soundtrack with a collection of songs that instantly became timeless hits that held the No.1 spot for 15 consecutive weeks with her hit single "It's Too Late." The Carole King Musical" is a heartwarming and inspiring story that reminds us to embrace our unique qualities and talents. It is an uplifting and exhilarating play that encourages us to find beauty in ourselves, regardless of unbearable circumstances.
Beautiful begins with Carole singing "So Far Away" at Carnegie Hall in 1971 and flashes back to sixteen-year-old Carole telling her mother she wants to go to Manhattan to sell her song, "It Might As Well Rain Until September," which Bobby Vee recorded. Documenting her initial meeting with Gerry Goffin, with him writing the lyrics and King the music, they are known for writing many of the top soundtrack hits of the 1960s, which included, Take Good Care Of My Baby" (Bobby Vee, 1961), "Up on The Roof" by The Drifters, "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" by The Righteous Brothers, "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" by The Shirelles, "The Locomotion" by Little Eva, "One Fine Day" for the Chiffons; and "You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman," the duo of King and Goffin began their historical songwriting career. The musical always focused on their competitive friendship with another celebrated songwriting duo, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, which helped them produce music that revolutionized the industry. Prominent music publisher, producer, and talent manager famously known as "The Man With the Golden Ear, Don Kirshner further amplified the exceptional gifts of these songwriters, whose songs made an indelible mark on the world of music.
When performing this masterpiece musical, you have to get the right person to play Carole King, and Samantha Gershman was phenomenal as the awkwardly shy but talented King. Her channeled essence of Carole King illuminated the stage, as her charming voice meshed with a vibrant stage presence, completely captivating the audience. Gershman's portrayal was outstanding. The performances of Alex Benoit, Alexandra Palkovic, and Andrew MacNaughton shine brilliantly in their portrayals of Gerry Goffin, Cynthia Weil, and Barry Mann, respectively. Benoit brings a depth of emotion to Goffin, capturing his creative struggles and personal dilemmas. Palkovic embodies Weil with a vibrant energy, and MacNaughton delivers a captivating portrayal of Mann, skillfully balancing charm and wit with his good-natured, neurotic, compulsive hypochondria and ambitious competitiveness. Together, their exceptional chemistry created a compelling narrative that resonates with audiences on multiple levels. Michael Lawrence Brown shined as Donny Kirshner, bringing Kirshner's incredible skill in finding great talent to life. The core of gifted cast members, singers, and dancers provided good vocal abilities and well-choreographed dance routines. Still, the guys performing as The Righteous Brothers need work, as you can't miss on the iconic, 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin.'
The second act begins with King's marriage falling apart after Gerry had several affairs with other singers. Eventually, this leads to their divorce. After the divorce, King tells Don, Cynthia, and Barry that she is moving to Laurel Canyon in Los Angeles with her two daughters, as Gershman performs one of King's many tear-jerker songs, "You Got a Friend," with Palkovic, MacNaughton, and Brown, ending with enchantingly charming the audience with "You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman and Beautiful." This captivating play, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, is a feel-good story and an exceptional musical that holds a special place in my heart. Remember, I started by telling you I was biased. The music, the story, and the performances are all brilliantly crafted, leaving a lasting impression on anyone who experiences it. The show's ability to evoke emotions, from joy to sadness, is unparalleled. It truly is a masterpiece!"
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Drury Lane Theatre
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
Book by Douglas McGrath
Words and Music by Gerry Goffin & Carole King
Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil
Directed by Jane Lanier
Now-MARCH 23, 2025
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