Beautiful: the carole king musical

BEAUTIFUL tells the story of Carole King’s meteoric rise to fame as one of the 20th Century’s foremost singer-songwriters. A strong book by Douglas McGrath and music and lyrics by icons Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil set amidst the vibrant pop music settings of the 1960s and 70s help tell the story of Carole’s journey from Jewish Brooklyn teenager songwriter to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The original 2014 Broadway production received numerous awards that included a Tony for Jessie Muller’s portrayal of Carole King.

The musical introduces the audience to a young Carole at age 16 pitching her first song to NY music producer Don Kirshner. Soon after we meet her future husband and music collaborator, Gerry Goffin. In a whirlwind, the couple are married. Carole gives birth to her first child and the duo make a name for themselves knocking out hit after hit. While her career is on the rise, her personal life with Gerry falls apart. Through life she is supported by friends and playful rivals, Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann. Although they compete for number 1 hits on the pop charts, Carole relies on their support to change her life and find her own voice. Featuring such classics as You’ve Got a Friend, One Fine Day, So Far Away, Take Good Care of My Baby, Up on the Roof, You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling, Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow, Natural Woman and more, this jukebox musical is filled with songs you’ll remember and a story you’ll never forget.

AVAILABLE ROLES

Cast of various ethnicities needed for this production.

Carole King – lead female; age 20-30s; mezzo soprano (Eb3-Eb5); piano skills an advantage; unique, funny, often vulnerable, ambitious drive, determined to make it in tough music industry.

Don Kirshner – supporting male; age 40-60; bariton (A2-C#4); a very successful record producer and music publisher, fast talking, energetic, direct and sometimes intimidates.

Gerry Goffin – supporting male; age 20-30s; tenor (D3-A4); needs some movement skills; a cheeky and handsome rebel; successful song-writer partner with Carole, he is always seeking out more.

Cynthia Weil – supporting female; age 20-30s; mezzo soprano (G3-E5); movement skills needed; Carole's best friend; sophisticated, smart, chic with a playful wit, self-confident, sarcastic but likeable.

Barry Mann – supporting male; age 20-30s; pop tenor (C3-A4); movement skills needed; guitar an advantage; likeable, good-natured song-writer involved with Cynthia; good-natured but a little neurotic.

Genie Klein – supporting female; age 40-50; non-singing role; Carole's Jewish mother; piano skills an advantage; once aspiring playwright.

Neil Sedaka – singer-songwriter; A#3-G#4; may play additional roles.

Bobby Vee – singer; C3-C4; may play additional roles.

Drifters – lead Drifter (B2-Eb5) and backup singers (B2-C5); may play additional singers.

Nick – a musician; may play additional roles.

Janelle Woods - singer (G#3-D5); may play additional roles.

Marilyn Wald - singer (G3-C5); may play additional roles.

Lou Adler – record producer; may play additional roles.

Shirelles - lead Shirelle (G3-Db5); member of pop group, and backup Shirelles; may play other singers.

Righteous Brothers - duo singers (F2-G4 | F3-F5); may play other singers.

Uptown Soloist - female (B3-Db5); may play additional roles.

Little Eva - pop singer (Bb3-E5); may play additional roles.

Ensemble of singers/actors - to play additional characters like Betty (Carole's childhood friend) and Lucille (Don Kirshner's secretary) plus many others.