“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” is a

Sensational Season Finale for STAGES

by Pat Lindsey

The wonderful thing about jukebox musicals is that they have the ability to transport us to special times in our lives where we can relive the memories of our younger years. For me, Carole King’s music made up a large portion of the soundtrack of my college life. “Beautiful–The Carole King Musical” is the story of songwriter Carole King’s musical career and her struggles to become a success in a man’s world. From the very first piano notes she played, I felt the earth move under my feet and I was catapulted back to those college days.

Carole Klein, played by the phenomenal Brianna Kothari Barnes, was only 16 years old when she decided to change her last name to King. She wanted to write songs, but her mother (Amy Loui) told her, “Girls don’t write music; they teach it.” She had already enrolled in college to become a teacher, but begged her mother to give her another chance to sell one of her songs. Her mother finally gave in and Carole and her friend went to 1650 Broadway, a place that was like a music factory. Carole auditioned for Don Kirshner (Jeff Cummings) with her song, “It Might As Well Rain Until September.” Don liked it and promised her an office in his building if she could write a hit song. Encouraged, King went back to college to continue her studies and write that hit song.    The melody was coming along, but Carole was having trouble with the lyrics. That’s when she met Gerry Goffin (Sean McGee), a junior at her college, who became her song-writing partner and future husband. Together they wrote “Some Kind of Wonderful,” which became a huge hit for the Drifters and earned them an office.

The song-writing team of Barry Mann (David Socolar) and Cynthia Weil (Kailey Boyle) was in the next office. The four became competitors and best friends. It was that competition that sent King and Goffin climbing the charts with hits such as, “Will You Love Me Tomorrow?,” “Up on the Roof,” “The Locomotion,” and “One Fine Day.” In the meantime, Mann and Weil retaliated with, “He’s Sure the Boy I Love,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” and “On Broadway.”
The story continues with the ups and downs of their careers, their family life, Carole King’s eventual divorce from Gerry Goffin, and ends at Carnegie Hall. It’s 1971 and King, a reluctant singer, has finally found her voice and performs the songs of her life on an award-winning album, “Tapestry.”

Brianna Kothari Barnes is believable as Carole King. She has the voice of the super-star and the vulnerability of a woman who is tested at every turn. In the beginning, she convinces us that she is not worthy of the good-looking Gerry Goffin, well-played and well-sung by Sean McGee. That changes later when Goffin begins cheating on King and displays signs of manic depression. Their best friends, the confirmed bachelorette Cynthia Weil (Kailey Boyle) and hypochondriac Barry Mann (David Socolar), use their comedic timing and outstanding vocals to bring their hit songs to life and advance the story.

Music Director/Conductor David Nehls and Director/Choreographer Jennifer Werner have made it possible for the audience to enjoy one golden oldie after another as if they are being performed by the Shirelles, the Drifters, the Righteous Brothers, and Little Eva in real time. The costumes by Costume Designer Cat Lovejoy dazzle as the groups perform their routines. Simple sets such as an office, living room, or recording studio by Scenic Design by Peter Barbieri are very effective. The show begins and ends with Carole King behind a piano.   Jennifer Werner has directed a show that everyone will love. It has fantastic music, great 1970’s choreography, and a strong cast that should make Carole King proud. I didn’t want it to end…so I went home and got out my “Tapestry” album so I could reminisce a little bit longer.

“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” will be playing at The Ross Family Theatre at The Kirkwood Performing Arts Center now through Oct. 19. PHOTOS from the STAGES producation For more information, go to stagesstlouis.org.
Next season will be the 40th Anniversary of STAGES! The 2026 lineup will be: “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee;” “Guys and Dolls;” “Come From Away.”

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