My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL to Close Highland Park Players' 39th Season

The production will be staged at Highland Park Players' intimate community theater venue.

By:
BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL to Close Highland Park Players' 39th Season

The Highland Park Players will present the Tony Award-winning Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, running July 17–26 at the McGrath Performing Arts Center, located at 3461 Illinois Road in Wilmette. Performances will take place on July 17, 18, 23, 24, and 25 at 7:30 p.m., with matinee performances on July 19, 25, and 26 at 2:00 p.m.

Directed by Catherine Davis, Beautiful tells the inspiring true story of Carole King's rise from teenage songwriter to one of the most celebrated solo artists in music history. Featuring beloved hits including “You've Got a Friend,” “One Fine Day,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” and many more, the musical celebrates the soundtrack of a generation.

“I am thoroughly thrilled to be returning to Highland Park Players, having directed twenty-five HPP productions in the past,” says Catherine Davis, Director. “I am especially excited for audiences to experience the incredible story and the chart-topping music Carole King wrote both for legendary artists and for herself.”

The production stars Anna Marie Abbate as Carole King, alongside Al Katz-Mariani as Gerry Goffin, Britain Shutters as Cynthia Weil, Roberto Mata as Barry Mann, Robin Treviño as Don Kirschner, and Kim Buck as Genie Klein. The Drifters are portrayed by Korey White, Kenny Miller, and Aaron Armstrong, as well as The Shirelles, portrayed by Arlecia Stapleton (Shirley), Destynee Rashanique, Maya Owens (Janelle Woods), Sydney Aku Wurapa, and Asia Posey (Little Eva). The ensemble also features Joe Dennis, Peter Moeller, Aaron Paul, Vanessa Vuckovic, Natalie Rae, Maddie McDowell, Amanda Walsh, Danielle Piccolomini, Henry Gessner, and Gav Casillas.

The production team includes:

  • Bradley A. Rose (Producer)
  • Scott A. Schwartz (Producer)
  • Richard Doppelt (Producer)
  • Catherine Davis (Director)
  • Anna Wegener (Music Director)
  • Annie Snow (Choreographer)
  • Todd D. Bulmash (Assistant Director)
  • Chris Morgan (Technical Director/Stage Manager)
  • Joe Brhel (Set Designer)
  • Daniel Melendez (Sound Designer/Operator)
  • Kurt Ottinger (Lighting Designer)
  • Jason Clark (Set Builder)
  • Vicki Jablonski (Costumer)
  • Britt-Marie Sivertsen (Intimacy Coordinator)
  • Sarah Tilford (Marketing/Social Media)

“Our 2026 season is ending on a high note with Beautiful: The Carole King MusicalRENT last year, this year and a sold-out run of The Lion King KIDS earlier this year, we're thrilled to bring audiences this uplifting and inspiring story centered around one of music's most iconic songwriters.”

Visit Highland Park Players online at www.highlandparkplayers.org, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

ABOUT THE HIGHLAND PARK PLAYERS

Highland Park Players is a non-profit organization, the purpose of which is to enrich, educate, and entertain our community by providing area residents with the opportunity to attend and participate in a superior theatre experience.



Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Direction of a Musical - Top 3
1. Michael Arden - The Lost Boys
26.3% of votes
2. Michael Mayer - Chess
12.1% of votes
3. Lear deBessonet - Ragtime
11.7% of votes

Don't Miss a Chicago News Story
Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...


Videos


South Pacific in Chicago South Pacific
Paramount Arts Centre (4/29-6/14)
Windfall in Chicago Windfall
Steppenwolf Theatre Company (4/09-5/31)
Chicago Comedy Hour in Chicago Chicago Comedy Hour
de Maat Theatre at The Second City (5/02-5/30)
THE BEYOND: The Vision of Georgia O'Keeffe in Chicago THE BEYOND: The Vision of Georgia O'Keeffe
Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts (5/29-5/31)
20th Anniversary Season in Chicago 20th Anniversary Season
Chicago Children’s Theatre (9/27-6/07)
Les Misérables in Chicago Les Misérables
Cadillac Palace Theatre (5/12-5/24)
Lucy Dacus With The Chicago Philharmonic in Chicago Lucy Dacus With The Chicago Philharmonic
Jay Pritzker Pavilion (7/19-7/19)
Two Out of Three Falls in Chicago Two Out of Three Falls
The Factory Theater (6/04-7/18)
James and the Giant Peach in Chicago James and the Giant Peach
North Shore Center for the Performing Arts - North Theatre (4/22-5/14) PHOTOS
Saturn Returns in Chicago Saturn Returns
Chicago Tap Theatre (6/11-6/14)