Opened: January 12, 2014
Book by: Douglas McGrath
Music & Lyrics by: Barry Mann, Carole King, Cynthia Weil & Gerry Goffin
Original Broadway Cast: Jessie Mueller, Jake Epstein, Anika Larsen, Jarrod Spector, Jeb Brown, Liz Larsen, Ashley Blanchet, E. Clayton Cornelious, Josh Davis, Alysha Desloriuex, Kevin Duda, James Harkness, Carly Hughes, Sara King, Rebecca LaChance, Douglas Lyons, Arbender J. Robinson & Rashidra Scott
Though it’s another jukebox musical and we’ve seen others that follow the lives of their namesakes, Beautiful is exactly what the title suggests.
Carole King (Jessie Mueller) starts the show as she is now – a star. However, once the show goes back in time, it reveals the hardships she faced to make her way in the music industry. She has a tumultuous relationship with her partner Gerry Goffin (Jake Epstein) and a fierce friendship and professional rivalry with Cynthia Weil (Anika Larsen) and Barry Mann (Jarrod Spector).
Jessie Mueller continues to shine as the title character. It’s hard to dispute that Mueller is one of the best performers of this generation. When she’s on stage, you can feel her every emotion.
The show itself will go alongside Jersey Boys as a great jukebox musical.
Final say: We’ll love her always. ★★★☆☆
