Beautiful as a musical biography of Carole King is basically a jukebox musical, but in Asolo Rep’s version it becomes a scenic extravaganza. Its directors spare no technical effects, especially lighting on various levels and tiers of rectangles that contain scenes or parts of scenes. In every way, it’s a treat for the eyes as well as the ears.
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical begins and ends with Carole King performing her own music at Carnegie Hall. Most of the middle concerns her move from a modest youth to a partner to a confident solo artist or one who worked with top-notch song writers during the 1960s and 1970s. Julia Knitel embodies her perfectly and attractively at Asolo Rep. The same may be said of Devin Archer as Carole King’s husband and first big musical partner.
Carole King’s talent came to the fore with songs like “Some Kind of Wonderful” and a prophetic “Will You Love Me Tomorrow”. Soon she attracted groups like The Drifters and The Shirelles) who shine like the stars they were and now are as played at Asolo.
“Tapestry” brought Carole into a new phase as composer and singer. Then, as now, she went from “Some Kind of Wonderful” to “Up on the Roof” and “One Fine Day.” Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann are also well interpreted at Asolo, especially on “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling.”
Act II begins with the varying sounds of “Chains” and “Walking in the Rain.” Barry Mann’s “We Gotta Get Out of This Place” brings on a repeat of Carole’s “Will You Love Me Tomorrow.” All the last songs in the show feature Carole with the other main soloists/duets or with the Ensemble or full Company.
By the finale, does the title song have a new meaning? It is certainly worth the wait to find out in Asolo Rep’s stunning production.
