There have been many jukebox musicals featuring the songs of one pop composer or another. One of the more memorable was Twyla Tharp’s Movin’ Out, which featured the songs of Billy Joel enriched by dance numbers that followed characters in Joel’s songs who were growing up in the 60s against a backdrop of the Vietnam War.
Then came Jersey Boys, which, if you’ll allow the comparison, was to jukebox musicals what Oklahoma was to all musicals – an integration of the music and the story in a way that drove the plot forward dramatically. So those expecting a revue, featuring the songs of Carole King, to be like Smokey Joe’s Café, which presented the hits of Lieber and Stoller (“Hound Dog,” “Poison Ivy”), are in for a pleasant surprise. Beautiful is the rich story of a very talented person who, although successful with many hits in the 60s (written with her then-husband Gerry Goffin) found her own distinctive voice and presented it to the world with her landmark album “Tapestry.”
The Story
It all started in Brooklyn – where else? A young woman with a special gift wanted to be a songwriter. In those days, it just wasn’t done – not by women. But Carole “Klein” charged ahead to the famous Brill Building on Broadway, met record producer Don Kirschner and began honing her craft. Very early on – she was 16 – Carole met Gerry Goffin, who was to become her husband, father of two children and, oh yes, a superb lyricist. They worked together for a decade, balancing other jobs, family life and the music-writing business, producing many hits such as “Up on the Roof” and “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” performed by other singers. Then life happened. The marriage broke up and Carole struggled through her troubles coming out on the other end as a consummate solo songwriter and performer.
Along the way, we are treated to a bevy of great songs by Carole and other composers of that era such as Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil who wrote “On Broadway” and “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling.” Finally, Carole emerges spectacularly with “Beautiful” and “It’s Too Late.”
Excellent Performances
Carole is played by Jessie Mueller who I first saw in a featured role in the ill-fated revival of “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever,” starring Harry Connick Jr. Boy, did she take my breath away. What a voice, and the timing and phrasing – it was all there. But little did I expect a terrific actress. It’s rare that an actor is so transformed that you start to believe you are watching the character rather than the performer. There are other excellent performances as well: Jarrod Spector as composer Barry Mann, is comical, emotional – really out there. His writing partner, and eventually his wife, Cynthia Weil, is played beautifully by Anika Larsen who strikes a note as an independent woman. Jake Epstein is sharp and swift as the good-looking boy that becomes Carole’s partner and husband.
Just Beautiful
Hats off to Alejo Vietti, the costume director, whose outfits, especially those worn by Anika Larsen, are true to the era yet have a bright new quality about them. They are simply beautiful. I guess I’ve used that word beautiful a lot in this review. But it certainly fits. Beautiful is a fun musical with a glorious central performance that will make you emotional if you lived through the 60s and 70s, but is also enjoyable on its own terms. And if you’re thinking of taking children, I didn’t hear a single curse word in the entire 2 hours and 15 minutes. And that is amazing for the music business.
Appropriate for ages 8 and up.
Beautiful – The Carole King Musical
Stephen Sondheim Theatre
124 W. 43rd St., between Broadway
and Sixth Avenue
beautifulonbroadway.com
For tickets: telecharge.com or 212-239-6200
George A. Wachtel is president of Audience Research & Analysis, a New York City-based market research firm specializing in arts and entertainment.
