by Claire DeMarco
Carol Joan Klein was musically gifted from a very early age. After her first song was picked up by a music publisher, this young teenaged songwriter declared that she would now be known as Carole King.
This musical biography takes us from Carole’s younger days to her growth as a songwriter to an independent songwriter/performer.
Carole King (Kyra Kennedy) knows exactly what she wants to do. Her goal is to write music and have it published.
Her mother, Genie Klein (Christine Laitta) has other plans, but Carole prevails. Don Kirshner (J. Alex Noble) is the music publisher King is originally associated with and stayed with for many years.
King meets Gerry Goffin (Dylan S. Wallach) at college, and they immediately form a partnership with King composing the music and Goffin writing the lyrics. Their partnership quickly turns into a love relationship, and they marry at a very early age.
Surprisingly and collectively King and Goffin wrote a number of songs for other performers. Carole King at this point in her career is strictly writing songs for other artists – hit songs like “Take Good Care of My Baby’ (Bobby Vee), “Chains” (The Beatles), “Up on the Roof” (The Drifters).
Two other songwriter/lyricists join the agency also associated with King and Goffin. This talented pair, song writer Barry Mann (Barrett Riggins) and lyricist Cynthia Weil (Lee Harrington) provide an ongoing competition between the two factions. Surprisingly, the competition proves to be congenial, and the ultimate and true outcome is the ongoing, everlasting friendship between the two couples.
Goffin’s mental issues and philandering are the main thrust for King’s final break away from her marriage. This freedom now convinces her to not only continue to write new compositions but also to perform them herself.
Her breakout came with the Tapestry album release that contained notable songs like “It’s Too Late” and “Beautiful”, among others. All her songs have a special emotional bent, often expressing what has or is going on in her personal life.
A new chapter evolves as King also takes the performing route. The pinnacle of her success centers around the album, Tapestry. That album catapulted her to the height of her career, winning King Album of the Year, Record of the Year (“It’s Too Late”), Song of the Year (“You’ve Got a Friend”) and Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female).
“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” knocks it out of the park. There are so many wonderful songs by Carole King and Gerry Goffin, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil and the memories they recall.
Kennedy is superb as the multi-talented King. Her voice is spectacular. She presents a side of the great songwriter/composer as a woman who always wants to create music but also yearns for a more traditional life as a wife and mother. Her renditions of “(You Make Me Free Like) A Natural Woman” and “It’s Too Late” are excellent. She shows the support side of King as she puts up with endless misbehavior on Goffin’s part.
Wallach’s performance is believable as he wavers between rational behavior and mental illness. His ultimate goal is to become a playwright, but he fails miserably at that. At times he is extremely likable. He easily transitions to the moody, selfish philanderer whose ultimate behavior leads to King’s ultimate success as a solo composer/performer.
A bit of a character and a semi-hypochondriac, Riggins provides comic relief. His comedy chops are often balanced by his portrayal of Mann’s ambition and talent in composing multiple top hits.
Harrington’s character is strong, independent and competitive. She portrays Weil as Riggins’ confident, high-energy partner. Committed to her craft, she is less inclined to commit to marriage with Mann but eventually softens on the idea.
Alex Noble plays Don Kirschner as the music publisher, demanding non-stop that his composers continually produce the next hits. He also has a kindly streak and at times a bit of sarcastic humor.
Laitta’s role as Carole’s mother is small but she has some great lines and forcefully delivers them, Brooklyn accent and all. Quite bossy when Carole was younger, she grows into a more mellow, caring parent.
Charles Curry II, J’Quay Gibbs, Kai Sachon and Justus Wheatley wow with the Drifters’ hit “On Broadway”, a song written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.
As the Shirelles – Cadence Gates, Samantha Allison Nelson, Avery Ramsey and Bree S. Taylor ‘s version of “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” is terrific.
Special recognition to:
- Dan Knechtges, Director, Choreographer
- Catie Brown, Music Director, Conductor
- Paul Miller and Jonathan Spencer, Lighting Designers
Book for “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” by Douglas McGrath.,
Words and Music by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil
-CED
“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” is a production of Pittsburgh CLO. Performances run from June 23rd to June 28th at the Benedum Center, 237 7th Street, Pittsburgh, PA. 15222. For more information, click here.
