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Overview

Synopsis

Beautiful tells the true story of Carole King’s meteoric rise to fame as one of the twentieth century’s foremost singer-songwriters. We are introduced to Carole when she is 16 and pitching her first song (“It Might As Well Rain Until September”) to New York music producer Don Kirshner. Soon after, she meets her future husband and creative collaborator, Gerry Goffin. In a musical whirlwind, the couple are married, King gives birth to their first child and the duo make a name for themselves in the music business, knocking out hit after hit. However, while their careers are on the rise, Carole’s personal life falls apart when Gerry announces that he wants an affair. As Carole tries to negotiate marriage, adultery and personal happiness, she is supported by friends and playful rivals, Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann. Although they all compete for number one hits on the pop chart, Carole relies on their support to change her life and find her own voice. Set in the vibrant pop industry of the 1960s and early 1970s, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical features a tapestry of musical hits from the creative songwriting teams of King and Goffin, Weil and Mann.

Show Information

Category
Musical
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
2013
Genres
Historical/Biographical, Jukebox/Revue
Settings
Period, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
New York City, Los Angeles, 1958-1971
Cast Size
large
Orchestra Size
Medium
Dancing
Some Dance
Ideal For
Large Cast, Star Vehicle Female, College/University, Community Theatre, Diverse Cast, Ensemble Cast, High School, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult, Late Teen Characters

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Carole King

Lead

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Genie Klein

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Don Kirshner

Supporting

Male

Baritone, Bass

Gerry Goffin

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Cynthia Weil

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Barry Mann

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Neil Sedaka

Featured

Male

Tenor

Lucille

Featured

Female

Spoken

Little Eva

Featured

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Janelle Woods

Featured

Female

Alto

Nick

Featured

Male

Spoken

Marilyn Wald

Featured

Female

Alto

Lou Adler

Featured

Male

Spoken

Betty

Featured

Female

Spoken

Ensemble

Ensemble

Either Gender

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass

Songs

Act One

So Far Away - Carole King

Oh Carol - Neil Sedaka

1650 Broadway Medley - Ensemble

It Might as Well Rain Until September - Carole King

*Be-Bop-A-Lula - Ensemble

Some Kind of Wonderful - Carole King, Gerry Goffin and The Drifters (Ensemble)

Happy Days Are Here Again - Cynthia Weil

Take Good Care of My Baby - Gerry Goffin and Carole King

Who Put the Bomp - Barry Mann

Will You Love Me Tomorrow - Carole King

He's Sure the Boy I Love - Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann

Will You Love Me Tomorrow - The Shirelles

Up on the Roof - Gerry Goffin and The Drifters

On Broadway - The Drifters (Ensemble)

*The Locomotion - Little Eva and Ensemble

You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling - Barry Mann and The Righteous Brothers (Ensemble)

One Fine Day - Janelle, Carole King and Ensemble

Act Two

Chains - Carole King and Ensemble

Walking in the Rain - Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil

Pleasant Valley Sunday - Marilyn Wald, Gerry Goffin and Ensemble

We Gotta Get Out of This Place - Barry Mann

Will You Love Me Tomorrow (Reprise) - Carole King

Uptown - "Uptown" Singer and Ensemble

It's Too Late - Carole King and Ensemble

You've Got a Friend - Carole King, Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil and Don Kirshner

(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman - Carole King and Ensemble

Beautiful - Carole King and Ensemble

I Feel the Earth Move - Carole King and Company

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

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Guide Written By:

Alexandra Appleton

Alexandra Appleton

Writer, editor and theatre researcher