eautiful: The Carole King Musical
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| Beautiful: The Carole King Musical | |
|---|---|
2014 Broadway Playbill
| |
| Music | Various Artists |
| Lyrics | Various Artists |
| Book | Douglas McGrath |
| Basis | The life of Carole King |
| Premiere | 8 October 2013: Curran Theatre, San Francisco |
| Productions | 2013 San Francisco 2014 Broadway 2015 West End 2015 U.S. Tour 2017 U.K. Tour |
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical is a jukebox musical with a book by Douglas McGrath that tells the story of the early life and career of Carole King, using songs that she wrote, often together with Gerry Goffin, and other contemporary songs by Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Phil Spector and others.
The original production of Beautiful received its world premiere at the Curran Theatre, San Francisco, in October 2013, with direction by Marc Bruni and choreography by Josh Prince, and starring Jessie Mueller and Jake Epstein as Carole King and Gerry Goffin, respectively. It made its Broadway debut at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre in January 2014. A West End production starring Katie Brayben as Carole began in February 2015. A U.S. tour launched in September 2015.
Contents
[hide]Productions[edit]
San Francisco pre-Broadway tryout (2013)[edit]
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical had a pre-Broadway try-out in San Francisco, California, at the Curran Theatre from September 24, 2013 through October 20, with an official opening October 8. The production was staged by Marc Bruni, with choreography by Josh Prince and musical direction by Jason Howland. Jessie Mueller played Carole King.[1] The musical sold out its entire run at the Curran Theatre.[2]
Original Broadway Production (2014)[edit]
The musical opened on Broadway at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre on January 12, 2014, after previews from November 12, 2013. In addition to Mueller as King, the cast features Jake Epstein as Gerry Goffin, Anika Larsen as Cynthia Weil and Jarrod Spector as Barry Mann.[3] King attended the April 3, 2014 performance and appeared on stage with the cast at the curtain call, singing "You've Got a Friend" together with them.[4]
Original London Production (2015)[edit]
A production in London's West End opened on February 25, 2015, following previews beginning February 10, 2015, at the Aldwych Theatre.[5] Prior to the announcement, Baz Bamigboye from the Daily Mail reported that producers are looking for a full British cast for the transfer, meaning that Jessie Mueller would not transfer for the London production. On September 25, 2014, it was announced that British actress Katie Brayben would take the lead role of Carole King,[6] with further casting including Alan Morrissey as Gerry Goffin, Gary Trainor as Don Kirshner, Glynis Barber as Genie Klein, Lorna Want as Cynthia Weil and Ian McIntosh as Barry Mann.[7] Beginning November 30, 2015, Cassidy Janson took the lead role of Carole King and Diane Keen replace Glynis Barber in the role of Genie Klein.[8]
U.S. Tour (2015-16)[edit]
The musical began a U.S. tour starting in September 2015 in Providence, Rhode Island, at the Providence Performing Arts Center, with engagements across the United States, ending in San Francisco in August 2016.[9] The role of Carole King will be played by Abby Mueller (the sister of Jessie Mueller), with Liam Tobin as Gerry Goffin, Ben Fankhauser as Barry Mann and Becky Gulsvig as Cynthia Weil.[10]
U.K. Tour (2017-18)[edit]
A UK tour will begin in September 2017 at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford, ending at the New Theatre in Oxford in May 2018. Further venues and casting is to be announced.[11]
Synopsis[edit]
From the Beautiful: The Carole King Musical soundtrack booklet
Act I[edit]
At Carnegie Hall in 1971, Carole King sings "So Far Away". Then, in Brooklyn 1958, 16-year-old Carole tells her mother, Genie, she is going into Manhattan to try to sell a song to music publisher Donnie Kirshner. In the long tradition of mothers, Genie is opposed to her daughter's wish and in the equally long tradition of teenagers not caring about their mother's opinion, Carole goes anyway. At 1650 Broadway, she hears the "1650 Broadway Medley". She then sings her new song "It Might As Well Rain Until September". Donnie says he will take it and hopes she has others. At Queens College, Carole meets a handsome young lyricist named Gerry Goffin. They agree to collaborate, musically and romantically, which in both cases turns out to be a fertile arrangement. When they go to Donnie's to play their new song, Carole confesses to Gerry that she is pregnant. Gerry asks her to marry him. It gives her an extra depth of feeling when she sings their new song for Donnie, "Some Kind of Wonderful", which The Drifters then record.
They get an office at 1650. While there, Carole meets a new lyricist Cynthia Weil ("Happy Days Are Here Again"), who is looking for a composer to work with. Gerry and Carole sing their new song "Take Good Care of My Baby", during which Barry Mann, the composer with the office next door, enters. Barry meets Cynthia and they decide to collaborate. As they begin to work, sparks fly. Donnie tells them he needs a song for the Shirelles. The couples compete for the job. In Donnie's office the next morning, Carole and Gerry present "Will You Love Me Tomorrow". Cynthia and Barry perform "He's Sure the Boy I Love". Donnie picks Carole and Gerry's song for The Shirelles and it goes to no. 1 ("Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" (Reprise)). And so, on either side of the same wall, a competition is born. The two teams turn out an amazing parade of songs: "Up on the Roof", "On Broadway", "The Loco-Motion" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'".
Gerry and Carole are at the taping of a TV special where their new song, "One Fine Day", is being performed by the dazzling Janelle Woods. During a break, Gerry confesses to Carole that he is restless in their marriage. He wants to sleep with Janelle, and he doesn't want to lie about it. Carole is stunned. As the song begins again, she takes it over and sings it herself.
Act II[edit]
Carole is in a recording studio doing a demo of "Chains". Gerry is off with Janelle but tells her he will meet her later. Nick, a guitarist, asks Carole to come sing at the Bitter End sometime but she declines — she's a songwriter, not a singer. The thing with Gerry is getting her down so she goes and talks to Cynthia who is also having trouble with Barry — they split up. Carole decides to tell Gerry he has to end the affair with Janelle. As she leaves, Barry comes in. He and Cynthia make up and play their new song, "Walking in the Rain". Gerry shows up, but he is not making sense. He eventually has a breakdown. At the hospital, he tells Carole he will end the affair with Janelle and that he wants to come home. She suggests they make a new start and move to the suburbs ("Pleasant Valley Sunday").
Barry, Cynthia and Donnie come to see the new house. Barry plays their new song, "We Gotta Get Out of This Place". Depressed that he and Carole can't do as well, Gerry leaves in a funk for the city. While he is gone, it comes out that Barry and Cynthia have seen him with another woman, a singer named Marilyn Wald. Carole goes to Marilyn's apartment and Gerry is there. It's the final straw, and she ends their marriage. At the Bitter End, where Barry and Cynthia hear their song "Uptown", Carole explains she went to Los Angeles for a vacation and has started writing on her own. Nick, the guitarist from the studio who asked her to sing with his group, is playing there and urges her to sing. She sings her new song, "It's Too Late". She decides to move to Los Angeles. At 1650, she says goodbye to Donnie, Barry and Cynthia and plays them a parting present ("You've Got a Friend").
In Los Angeles, she records her album, Tapestry. The session goes well until the last song, which she is afraid to sing. It's a song she wrote with Gerry and she is afraid of the feelings it may stir up. Her producer, Lou Adler, persuades her. She sings "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman". The album is a smash. Carole is at Carnegie Hall for her concert. Before the show starts, Gerry knocks on her dressing room door. He has brought her a good luck present, but has something even more valuable: an apology for all the ways he hurt her. With a full heart he wishes her well. Carole comes onto the stage of Carnegie Hall alone. She sits at the piano. Then with all the joy inside her, she sings "Beautiful".
Music[edit]
Musical numbers[edit]
All songs written by Goffin and King except as noted
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† Not included on the original Broadway Cast Album.
Orchestra[edit]
The musical uses a 12-member orchestra consisting of three keyboards, two guitars, bass, drums, percussion, two reeds, trumpet/flugelhorn, and trombone/bass trombone.[12][13] In addition the performer playing Carole King plays the piano if it is Katie Brayben (London) whereas Jessie Mueller (Broadway) needed piano lessons so she could mime.[14]
Recordings[edit]
The Broadway cast album was recorded in February 2014 by Ghostlight Records and was released in digital form on April 1, 2014. It was in stores as of May 13, 2014. (The Broadway cast album includes the song "You've Got a Friend", although that song is not listed in the opening night credits.) The album was also released on a vinyl format.[15][16]
Principal roles and original casts[edit]
| Character | Original Broadway Cast | Current Broadway Cast | Original West End Cast[17] | Current West End Cast | Original U.S. Tour Cast | Current U.S. Tour Cast | Original Melbourne Cast |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carole King | Jessie Mueller | Abby Mueller | Katie Brayben | Cassidy Janson | Abby Mueller | Julia Knitel | Esther Hannaford |
| Gerry Goffin | Jake Epstein | Evan Todd | Alan Morrissey | Matthew Seadon-Young | Liam Tobin | ||
| Cynthia Weil | Anika Larsen | Jessica Keenan Wynn | Lorna Want | Becky Gulsvig | Erika Olson | ||
| Barry Mann | Jarrod Spector | Ben Jacoby | Ian McIntosh | Ben Fankhauser | |||
| Don Kirshner | Jeb Brown | Paul Anthony Stewart | Gary Trainor | Joseph Prouse | Curt Bouril | ||
| Genie Klein | Liz Larsen | Glynis Barber | Barbara Drennan | Suzanne Grodner | |||
| Betty | Rebecca LaChance | Sarah Bockel | Joanna Woodward | Leigh Lothian | Sarah Bockel | TBA | |
| Neil Sedaka/Bobby Hatfield/Lou Adler | Kevin Duda | Ed Currie | Gavin Alex | John Michael Dias | |||
| Janelle Woods | Rashidra Scott | Tanisha L. Spring | Tsemaye Bob-Egbe | Rebecca E. Covington | Erin Clemons | ||
| Little Eva | Ashley Blanchet | Nasia Thomas | Lucy St. Louis | Koko Basigara | Ashley Blanchet | Rosharra Francis | |
| Lucille | Carly Hughes | Gisela Adisa | Danielle Steers | Treyc Cohen | Salisha Thomas | ||
| Marilyn Wald | Sara King | Vivien Carter | Georgie Ashford | DeLaney Westfall | Aashley Morgan | ||
| Bill Medley/Nick | Josh Davis | Adam Dietlein | Dylan Turner | Matthew Gonsalves | Andrew Brewer | ||
| "Uptown" Singer | Alysha Deslorieux | Yasmeen Sulieman | Tanya Nicole-Edwards | Natasha Cottriall | Britney Coleman | Traci Elaine Lee | |
Broadway Cast Replacement History[edit]
- Scott J. Campbell took over the role of Gerry Goffin from Jake Epstein on September 23, 2014.
- Paul Anthony Stewart took over the role of Don Kirshner from Jeb Brown on September 23, 2014.[18]
- Chilina Kennedy took over the role of Carole King from Jessie Mueller on March 7, 2015.[19]
- Jessica Keenan Wynn took over for Anika Larsen in the role of Cynthia Weil while she was on temporary maternity leave starting on March 10, 2015.[19]
- Anika Larsen returned to the role of Cynthia Weil on October 13, 2015.
- Ben Jacoby took over the role of Barry Mann from Jarrod Spector on March 3, 2016.[20]
- Jessica Keenan Wynn has returned to the role of Cynthia Weil on April 26, 2016, replacing Anika Larsen.
- Jake Epstein returned to the role of Gerry Goffin on September 26, 2016.[21]
- Abby Mueller replaced Chilina Kennedy in the role of Carole King on March 7, 2017.
- Evan Todd replaced Jake Epstein in the role of Gerry Goffin on March 7, 2017.
West End Cast Replacement History[edit]
- Cassidy Janson replaced Katie Brayben in the role of Carole King on November 30, 2015.
- Diane Keen replaced Glynis Barber in the role of Genie Klein on November 30, 2015.[22]
- Joseph Prouse replaced Gary Trainor in the role of Don Kirshner from September 9, 2016.
- Matthew Seadon-Young took over the role of Gerry Goffin from November 28, 2016.
- Barbara Drennan took over the role of Genie Klein on November 28, 2016.[23]
Critical reception[edit]
Ben Brantley, reviewing for The New York Times, called the musical a "friendly, formulaic bio-musical". He wrote that the musical shows the change in King from a modest songwriter to the popular and confident performer of those songs, showing the "real, conflicted person within the reluctant star."[24]
Jesse Green, in his review for the New York Magazine, praised the performers but criticized the book, writing that the musical does not have the "dramatic coherence of book biomusicals".[25] Similarly, Elyse Sommer, in her review for curtainup.com, praised the performers, especially Mueller, Spector and Larsen, as well as the "shimmery lighting" and the costumes. She wrote that while the musical "doesn't hang its songs on the greatest or most suspenseful story ever told, it has enough bounce and Broadway show glitz to keep you in your seat".[26]
Awards and nominations[edit]
Original Broadway production[edit]
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Tony Award | Best Musical | Nominated | |
| Best Book of a Musical | Douglas McGrath | Nominated | ||
| Best Leading Actress in a Musical | Jessie Mueller | Won | ||
| Best Featured Actor in a Musical | Jarrod Spector | Nominated | ||
| Best Featured Actress in a Musical | Anika Larsen | Nominated | ||
| Best Orchestrations | Steve Sidwell | Nominated | ||
| Best Sound Design | Brian Ronan | Won | ||
| Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Musical | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Book of a Musical | Douglas McGrath | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Actress in a Musical | Jessie Mueller | Won | ||
| Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical | Anika Larsen | Won | ||
| Outstanding Orchestrations | Steve Sidwell | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical | Brian Ronan | Won | ||
| 2015 | Grammy Award | Best Musical Theater Album | Jessie Mueller (principal soloist); Jason Howland, Steve Sidwell & Billy Jay Stein (producers) | Won |
Original London production[edit]
| Year | Award Ceremony | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Laurence Olivier Award | Best New Musical | Nominated | |
| Best Actress in a Musical | Katie Brayben | Won | ||
| Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical | Ian McIntosh | Nominated | ||
| Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical | Lorna Want | Won | ||
| Best Theatre Choreographer | Josh Prince | Nominated | ||
| Best Costume Design | Alejo Vietti | Nominated | ||
| Best Sound Design | Brian Ronan | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Achievement in Music | The Orchestra | Nominated | ||
Film adaptation[edit]
On March 22, 2015, it was announced that Sony Pictures would be bringing the musical to the big screen with Douglas McGrath adapting his book into a screenplay and stage producer Paul Blake producing through Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman's production company, Playtone.
Producers[edit]
The producers of the original Broadway production include: Paul Blake, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Jeffery A. Sine, Richard A. Smith, Mike Bosner, Harriet Newman Leve, Elaine Krauss, Terry Schnuck, Orin Wolf, Patty Baker, Roger Faxon, Larry Magrid, Kit Seidel, Lawrence S. Toppall, Fakston Productions, Mary Soloman, William C. Cohen, John Gore, Barbara Freitag, Loraine Alterman Boyle, Matthew C. Blank, Tim Hogue, Joel Hyatt, Marianne Mills, Michael J. Moritz Jr., StylesFour Production, Corey Brunish, Brisa Trinchero, Jeremiah J. Harris, Sherry Kondor (Executive Producer), Christine Russell (Executive Producer).[27]
References[edit]
- ^ Hetrick, Adam. "Tickets for San Francisco Engagement of 'Beautiful: The Carole King Musical' on Sale Beginning Aug. 16", playbill.com, August 16, 2013
- ^ Hetrick, Adam. "Broadway-Bound 'Beautiful: The Carole King Musical' Sells Out San Francisco Engagement", playbill.com, October 17, 2013
- ^ Hetrick, Adam. "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Starring Jessie Mueller as Music Icon, Opens on Broadway", playbill.com, January 12, 2014
- ^ Blank, Matthew. Photo Call: Carole King Surprises Cast of Broadway Musical Beautiful With Impromptu Performance", playbill.com, April 4, 2014
- ^ "Broadway's Carole King Musical 'Beautiful' Expands to London". variety.com. Variety. 5 September 2014. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
- ^ "Katie Brayben cast as Carole King in Beautiful". whatsonstage.com. Whats On Stage. 25 September 2014. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
- ^ "New cast members join Katie Brayben in the upcoming production". whatsonstage.com. Whats On Stage. 17 October 2014. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
- ^ Stratford, Tom (September 4, 2015). "Cassidy Janson & Diane Keen join cast of Olivier, Tony & Grammy Award-winning Beautiful: The Carole King Musical". Retrieved September 12, 2015.
- ^ "Tour" beautifulonbroadway.com, accessed May 26, 2015
- ^ Viagas, Robert and Gans, Andrew. "Full Casting and Stops Announced for National Tour of 'Beautiful— The Carole King Musical' " playbill.com, August 10, 2015
- ^ "Beautiful the Carole King Musical to go on UK tour". WhatsOnStage.com. Retrieved 2016-11-05.
- ^ "Beautiful The Carole King Musical Opening Night Credits". ibdb.com. Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
- ^ "Inside the Playbill: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical Playbill Opening Night at Stephen Sondheim Theatre". playbillvault.com. Playbill Vault. p. 4. Archived from the original on 11 November 2014. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
- ^ "Jessie Mueller to Star in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Arriving on Broadway in November". playbill.com. Playbill. 12 August 2013. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
- ^ Gioia, Michael and Hetrick, Adam.Ghostlight Records Will Record Broadway's Beautiful: The Carole King Musical"Playbill.com, February 13, 2014
- ^ Hetrick, Adam."Cast Album of 'Beautiful: The Carole King Musical' Hits Stores May 13" Playbill.com, May 13, 2014
- ^ "Complete Casting Announced for West End's Beautiful: The Carole King Musical". playbill.com. Playbill. 17 October 2014. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
- ^ Broadway.com Staff. "Scott J. Campbell & Paul Anthony Stewart Join Cast of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical on Broadway". Broadway.com. Broadway.com. Retrieved September 23, 2014.
- ^ a b Andrew Gans. "Chilina Kennedy to Succeed Jessie Mueller in Broadway's Beautiful; Jessica Keenan Wynn Will Also Join Cast". Playbill.com. Playbill, inc. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
- ^ "Ben Jacoby Will Take Over for Jarrod Spector in Broadway's Beautiful; Jessica Keenan Wynn Returns to the Cast". Broadway.com.
- ^ http://www.broadway.com/buzz/185974/hes-sure-the-boy-we-love-jake-epstein-will-return-to-beautiful/
- ^ BWW News Desk (4 September 2015). "Official: Cassidy Janson to Play Carole King in BEAUTIFUL from Nov 2015!". BroadwayWorld.com.
- ^ http://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Barbara-Drennan-Matthew-Seadon-Young-and-Joseph-Prouse-Join-the-West-End-Cast-of-BEAUTIFUL-THE-CAROLE-KING-MUSICAL-20161101
- ^ Brantley, Ben. "Theater Review. 'Beautiful: The Carole King Musical' at Sondheim Theater", The New York Times, January 13, 2014
- ^ Green, Jesse. "Theater Review: A Natural Woman and Not Much Else in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical", vulture.com, January 13, 2014
- ^ Sommer, Elyse. "A CurtainUp Review. Beautiful – The Carole King Musical", curtainup.com, January 8, 2014
- ^ "Person List". Playbill. Retrieved 2016-06-24.
External links[edit]
- Official Broadway Site
- Official West End Site
- Beautiful: The Carole King Musical at the Internet Broadway Database
| [hide] | |
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| Studio albums | |
| Compilations | |
| Live albums | |
| Other albums | |
| Singles |
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| Other songs | |
| Related articles |
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carole king musical beautiful
carole king musical beautiful
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