Review: BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at Victoria Theatre Association

Whether you are new to the music of Carole King or she is an old favorite, do yourself a favor and go see BEAUTIFUL: THE Carole King MUSICAL this weekend at the Schuster Center for the Performing Arts.

BEAUTIFUL with book by Douglas McGrath and words and music by Gerry Goffin, Carole King, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil tells the story of Carole King and her rise in the music business and the personal triumphs and disappointments along the way. In the tradition of the contemporary "jukebox" musicals, that weave together existing music to tell a new story, BEAUTIFUL uses the music of Carole King and her contemporaries to tell her story. There were many murmurs in the audience on opening night of, "Oh, I had no idea she wrote this". I was hooked from the very beginning. BEAUTIFUL has become my favorite of these jukebox musicals. I didn't know what to expect going into it but I was so pleasantly surprised.

Sarah Bockel as Carole King was just phenomenal. Depicting the ups and downs of Carole's early life and career, we felt everything right along with her - from her heartbreaking rendition of Will You Love Me Tomorrow to the rousing I Feel the Earth Move. It is the first performance in a long time that made me wish that I could actually give her two standing ovations.

The rest of the cast was superb as well, most notably Andrew Brewer as Carole's conflicted, tormented husband/partner Gerry Goffin and the sweetly comic pairing of Jacob Heimer and Sarah Goeke as Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. There was not a performance that I did not enjoy. The casting for the show was excellent as the chemistry between the actors was tremendous. Everyone fit perfectly together.

Costumes are always one of my favorite parts of any show and the magnificent costumes by Alejo Vietti deserve a special mention, especially one specific magic costume change that still leaves me a little dazzled. Along with the costumes, the set by Derek McLane and lighting by Peter Kaczorowski completed the perfect trio to add not only seamless movement but just the right touch of nostalgia to compliment the action of the show.

You have five more opportunities to see BEAUTIFUL this weekend at the Schuster Center. This is truly the must see show of this season. You are missing out if you don't go. Tickets are available at www.ticketcenterstage.com, call 937-228-3630 or visit the box office at the Schuster Center. Tickets range from $26 to $119.

Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy

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