REVIEW: Beautiful
This production features a fantastic leading performance and an amazing catalog of songs
BEAUTIFUL: The Carole King Musical is one of the most produced musicals at regional and local theatres - no wonder why. It’s a great script, full of amazing music, and definitely appeals to the standard theatre audience goer. In fact, two theatres are producing it within a few months of each other. Currently, the show is running at the Warsaw Federal Incline Theatre (and it’ll open at The Carnegie later this summer).
BEAUTIFUL is the biography of Carole King, the great songwriter. It traces her career from teenage pop songstress to stardom and the “Tapestry” album. It chronicles her relationship with Gerry Goffin, her writing partner and husband, and her friendship with Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann. Throughout the show, we hear some of the amazing songs written by the real-life characters, including “On Broadway,” “Locomotion,” “Some Kind of Wonderful,” and many more.
Sydney Higgins plays “Carole,” and she’s marvelous. Higgins doesn’t need to add affection to her voice to sound more like Carole; she’s naturally gifted as a singer and has a musical theatre background. I have watched her in many jukebox productions at Kings Island over the last several years and have grown fond of her infectious stage personality. So, when I learned she was cast as the lead in this show, I couldn’t wait to see her performance. She did not disappoint. Her emotional range, the way she carries herself on stage, and her beautiful vocal performance prove that she is a star.
Other notable cast members include Annika Jonker as “Betty,” Evan Rogers as “Barry Mann,” and Karli Smith as “Janelle Woods.” Amanda Marasch is also great as “Cynthia Weil.”
Unfortunately, the show is uneven overall. But the music is fun, some of the leading performances are outstanding, and Higgins does Carole King—and her story—justice. I’d love to see her play the role again someday.
BEAUTIFUL: The Carole King Musical runs through May 12th. Tickets are going fast; make up your own mind by clicking here and reserving your seat now.