“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” is a tribute to one of the most treasured singer-songwriters of our time. From the moment the curtain rises, we’re brought back to a time when rock and roll was in its golden age and a 16-year-old Carole King tells her mother that she’s going to sell her song to music publisher Donnie Kirshner. Of course, Genie played by Suzanne Grodner is not buying the idea. But, then Carole – played by Kyra Kennedy sells the song and the rest is, well, HERstory.
Not only does the production capture the essence of King’s rise to stardom, it also gives us a glimpse of her life. Meeting Gerry Goffin, played by Marrick Smith, selling their music, falling in love and the turbulence that follows in their relationship.
The production captures the essence of King’s rise to stardom as a teenager, to collaborations with Goffin, and friendly rivals Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, played by Samantha Massel and Jacob Ben-Shmuel.
Kennedy’s performance is spectacular. She brings such emotional depth to the role. From the evolution of a shy, gifted songwriter to a confident, chart-topping artist. Her vocal performances are a stunning, capturing the essence of King’s voice while delivering powerful renditions of classic hits like “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” and “One Fine Day,”
The set and costume design bring the era to life with meticulous attention to detail that enhances the overall experience. The musical numbers are choreographed with precision and flair, which brought an extra layer of enjoyment to the performance.
Beautiful is not just a celebration of Carole King’s music, but also the discovery of her personal growth and resilience. The production does an excellent job of balancing the happy, upbeat moments with the angst of her relationship with her husband and the fear of venturing out on her own.
“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” at the Paper Mill Playhouse is a must-see for fans of Carole King and anyone who appreciates the power of music and storytelling. It’s a captivating production that pays homage to a music legend, leaving the audience with a renewed appreciation for the timeless songs and the inspiring woman behind them.
Get tickets here.
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The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.
