Leaving ‘Beautiful: The Musical’, with a Smile on My Face
I felt the earth move as the Players Guild of Dearborn (Michigan) brought Beautiful: The Carole King Musical to life during their closing show on Saturday, November 23. It was my first-ever visit to this particular theater, and it did not disappoint. While the building itself was quite small, I was immediately welcomed by their front-of-house volunteers, who assisted me in finding my seat. Upon entering, the auditorium was electric with excitement. As I awaited the start of the show, I overheard many of the patrons around me stating they were repeat visitors to the production because of how impressed they were with the level of talent onstage.
This Tony-award-winning jukebox musical began its journey at the Curran Theatre in San Francisco before transferring to the Stephen Sondheim Theatre on Broadway. With a book by Douglas McGrath (Emma, Nicholas Nickleby), Beautiful features music from Carole King’s library and explores the career of the aforementioned singer-songwriter. The Players Guild of Dearborn’s production of this musical was directed by Marc Walentowicz, whose vision of King’s life is as clear as the beautifully toned voices of those on stage. As the lights went down, the orchestra started to swing, and just like that, the toe-tapping and head-bopping began.
[Warning: Spoilers from Beautiful: The Carole King Musical are below!]
Carole King’s life wasn’t always so beautiful
The show unfolds with Carole (played by a talented Leah Frazier) as a teenager in the 1950s, navigating the ups and downs of the music industry. We watch her early years in a turbulent marriage to songwriting partner Gerry Goffin (Dylan Hart) as they scribble out hits like “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” and “Take Good Care of My Baby.” Their partnership, while fruitful, is complicated by Goffin’s personal struggles, which encapsulate both of them as they struggle to move forward. Their eventual separation marks a pivotal moment in Carole’s life, as she’s finally free to move her life in a new and healthier direction.
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’s second act delves into the singer-songwriter’s personal and professional rebirth, highlighted by her chart-topping solo album Tapestry. The music, which is masterfully woven throughout the narrative, provides a sense of emotional resonance, with songs like “You’ve Got a Friend” and “So Far Away” capturing her evolution both as an artist and as a person. With her title closing number, Frazier dug deep, providing an emotional finale, causing tears to flow throughout the crowd.
Standout moments and performances in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
What stands out in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical is the vibrant, nostalgic energy that permeates the stage, transporting the audience back to a golden era of popular music. The jukebox musical is not only a tribute to Carole King’s extraordinary career but also to the collaborative magic of the Brill Building era, where she worked alongside legends like Barry Mann (Alex Quinlan) and Cynthia Weil (Kimberly Elliot), who are charmingly portrayed on stage as they pen songs like “On Broadway” and “We Gotta Get Out of This Place.” These two actors were electric, often making the audience cry tears from laughing so hard; sometimes even causing fellow cast members to break character with the smallest of smirks. Their chemistry, vocals, and comedic timing balanced very well as a counterpart to the often beautifully sad ballads sung by King.
By the time the curtain fell on Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, the audience was on their feet giving a well-deserved standing ovation to the cast and crew of this wonderful show. As the theater emptied and the chatter died down, I watched as family, friends, and strangers stood waiting to congratulate those who had put on such a spectacular performance.
I couldn’t help but smile as I witnessed their excitement, as it felt incredible to be caught in the intoxicating energy of those around me. Even as I left the building, you could hear the echoes of people singing, “ I feel the earth… move… under my feeet…”, a song that would undoubtedly be stuck in every audience member’s head for days after seeing this musical.
Beautiful is a testament to the power of music. It’s a reminder, one that we often forget among the hustle and bustle of our everyday. So, as Carole King would sing:
“You’ve got to get up every morning
With a smile on your face
And show the world all the love in your heart
Then people gonna treat you better
You’re gonna find, yes you will
That you’re beautiful as you feel”
Looking ahead at what’s next at The Dearborn Players Guild
Unfortunately, the curtain has closed for the last time on Beautiful: The Carole King Musical; there’s so much more to look forward to from The Dearborn Players Guild. Their next show is I Love You, Your Perfect, Now Change, which runs from January 10 to the 26, so make sure to get your tickets now!
And if you’re looking for your next show to perform in, auditions for Unnecessary Farce are coming soon! For more information on both of these shows and The Dearborn Players Guild itself, check out their website!
A Well-Earned Round of Applause For the First Ringwald Reprise
