Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, is the Tony and Grammy Award-winning biographical musical that follows the star’s turbulent journey from a teenage songwriter to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. This touching story is filled with familiar themes: mother-daughter relationships, true love, heart-breaking betrayals, enduring friendships and finding the courage to follow your dreams.
Her passion, her pain and her joy were the inspiration for the soundtrack of our lives to a whole generation with beloved hits like “You’ve Got a Friend,” “One Fine Day,” "Take Good Care of My Baby", "So Far Away", “Natural Woman”, and of course, "Beautiful".
Bethany Irby, who plays Carole, is not only an engaging actor with an amazing singing voice, but she is also a great pianist. Accompanying herself at the piano while singing these fabulous songs brought a dimension of realism to this role that few other actors could match.
Featuring so much talent, from Ben Thorpe (Carole's husband, Gerry Goffin), Chloe Cordle and Jon Hacker (Carole's best friends, Cynthia Weil & Barry Mann) and Cory Phelps (Don Kirshner) to the amazing cast, this show is “Some Kind of Wonderful”!
Recognized as the most successful female songwriter of the 20th century, I knew that Carole King had written or co-written over 400 songs in her career, but I was surprised to learn how many were made famous by others. It was a wonderful trip down memory lane watching this cast bring The Drifters to life as they sang "Up on the Roof" and "On Broadway" and listening to The Shirelles sing "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" and "One Fine Day". Although Little Eva (Rose Seton) made me want to get up and dance with her rendition of "Locomotion", it was Jordan Patrick and Leo Thomasian as The Righteous Brothers singing "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" that brought tears to my eyes.
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Behind the scenes of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical is a team of outstanding theatre professionals directed by David Rossetti, who is also created the outstanding choreography of this show. Ann-Carol Pence, musical director, masterfully manned the keyboard and led the band. Kudos to Costume Designer Alan Yeong for seamlessly transporting us from Carol's first hit in 1961, through the soul train and bell bottom years, culminating in her elegant Carnegie Hall Concert on June 18, 1971.
“I am thrilled that we’re able to present this show, especially since Carole wrote my all-time favorite song, ‘You’ve Got a Friend’,” said Aurora Theatre Co-Founder and Producing Artistic Director Ann-Carol Pence. “As a woman-led company, I am so proud to share the incredible story of an industry-altering woman who made history.
A fraction of Carole King's accolades includes four Grammy Awards, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, twice inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a performer and songwriter, the 2013 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song—the first woman to receive the prize—and a 2015 Kennedy Center Honoree.
Aurora Theatre’s stellar season opener is sure to make you “Feel the Earth Move” under your seat!
SHOW TIMES: Aug. 17 – Sept. 17.
Thursday–Saturday: 8 p.m.
Saturday: 2:30 p.m., 8 p.m.
Sunday 2:30 p.m.
NOTE: There will be a special matinee performance at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, August 23.
NOTE: Recommended for teens and adults, show contains mild language and some adult themes.
TICKETS:
Tickets start at $21 and may be purchased online at tickets.auroratheatre.com or by calling the Box Office at 678.226.6222.
LOCATION:
Lawrenceville Arts Center
125 N Clayton St
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
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