Book By
DOUGLAS MCGRATH
Words & Music By
GERRY GOFFIN, CAROLE KING, BARRY MANN & CYNTHIA WEIL
Performances: November 8-10, 15–17, & 22–24, 2024
Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., Sundays at 2:30 p.m.
Director
MARC WALENTOWICZ
Assistant Director
TOM DOWNEY
Music Director
PAUL ABBOTT
Choreographer
EMMA GARBER
Before she was hit-maker Carole King — she was Carole Klein, a spunky, young songwriter from Brooklyn with a unique voice. From the chart-topping hits she wrote for the biggest acts in music to her own life-changing, trailblazing success with Tapestry, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical takes you back to where it all began — and takes you on the ride of a lifetime.
Beautiful is the inspiring tale about a girl who became King with a stirring book by the late Oscar and Tony-nominated Douglas McGrath and the music and lyrics of icons Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. Featuring such unforgettable 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 Love Me Tomorrow”, and “Natural Woman”, this Tony® and Grammy® Award-winning musical phenomenon is filled with the songs you remember and a story you’ll never forget.
Character Descriptions
In reference to the character descriptions below –The characters in this show are written with he/him or she/her pronouns. However, we seek to be as inclusive as possible and ask actors to list on the audition form the roles they most identify with.
The ages listed are the “playing ages” of characters. Actors who fall out of these parameters with respect to their own chronological age may still audition for any role.
Carole King – (Female – 18-30) An aspiring singer/songwriter. A unique, appealing, funny and vulnerable girl from a Jewish family in Brooklyn. Talented, good natured, unassuming and often the peacemaker in difficult situations. A reluctant star with no pretense and a passion for music. Vocal range top: Eb5, Vocal range bottom: Eb3
Gerry Goffin – (Male, 18-30) Carole’s boyfriend, songwriting partner and eventual husband. Innately sympathetic, wounded and tortured. An ambitious artist always striving for more. Vocal range top: A4, Vocal range bottom: D3
Barry Mann – (Male, 18-35) A songwriter who becomes romatically involved with Cynthia. He is good natured, appealing and neurotic. Ambitious, but likeable. Vocal range top: A4, Vocal range bottom: C3
Cynthia Weil – (Female, 18-35) A songwriter who becomes romantically involved with Barry. Carole’s best friend. She is sophisticated, smart and chic with a quick wit. Although self-confident and sarcastic, she is also extremely likeable. Vocal range top: E5, Vocal range bottom: G3
Don Kirchner – (Male, 40-60) An influential music publisher and producer. He is fast talking, energic force of nature. Powerful, direct and sometimes intimidating, but he has a real affinity for his writers and artists. A hit maker. Vocal range top: C#4, Vocal range bottom: A2
Genie Klein – (Female, 40-60) Carole’s Jewish mother. Once an aspiring playwright, she has broken down by life and her husband’s infidelity. Protective of Carole and unforgiving of her husband’s mistakes.
Neil Sedaka – (Male) A singer-songwriter. Vocal range top: G#4, Vocal range bottom: A#3
Nick – (Male) A musician
Janelle Woods – (Female) A singer. Vocal range top: D5, Vocal range bottom: G#3
Marilyn Wald – (Female) A singer. Vocal range top: C5, Vocal range bottom: G3
Lou Adler – (Male) A record producer and music executive.
Bobby Vee – (Male) A singer. Vocal range top: C4, Vocal range bottom: C3
Lead Drifter– (Male) Member of the doo-wop group The Drifters. Vocal range top: Eb5, Vocal range bottom: B2
Back-Up Drifters– (Male) Members of the doo-wop group The Drifters. Vocal range top: C5, Vocal range bottom: B2
Lead Shirelle– (Female) Member of the pop group The Shirelles. Vocal range top: Db5, Vocal range bottom: G3
Back-Up Shirelle– (Female) Member of the pop group The Shirelles. Vocal range top: D5, Vocal range bottom: G3
Righteous Brother #1– (Male) Part of The RIghteous Brother duo. Vocal range top: G4, Vocal range bottom: F2
Righteous Brother #2– (Male) Part of The RIghteous Brother duo. Vocal range top: F5, Vocal range bottom: F3
Uptown Soloist– (Female) Vocal range top: Db5, Vocal range bottom: B3
Lucille– (Female) Don Kirshner’s secretary.
Betty– (Female) Carole King’s childhood friend.
Little Eva– (Female) A pop singer. Vocal range top: E5, Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Ensemble– 4-5 People. The characters will play backup singers, fans, and various other roles. Vocal heavy roles that are light on dancing.
*Many of the casting for this show will be doubled up. For instance, the person playing Neil Sedaka might also be cast as a Righteous Brother. Or whomever we cast as Little Eva may also play a member of the Shirelles, and so on.