OAKBROOK, Ill.—She had difficulties, setbacks, and personal struggles, but Carole King overcame them all to become one of the most popular and successful songwriters in America. Born in Manhattan in 1942 as Carol Joan Klein, she grew up in Brooklyn, New York. She changed her name to Carole King and went on to sell an estimated 75 million records worldwide and to win four Grammy Awards.
Her inspiring biography unfolds in a wonderful celebration of her life and songs in “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.” It opened on Broadway in 2014 and is now playing in a captivating production at the Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook, Illinois.
Elegantly directed by Jane Lanier, with a book by Douglas McGrath, the musical is based on King’s extraordinary life. It follows not only the musician’s rise to fame and fortune, with a nostalgic cornucopia of her hit songs, but also reveals her psychological conflicts and personal problems.
Carole King’s Life
The musical begins with King performing her song “So Far Away” in a 1971 Carnegie Hall concert. It then flashes back to her life as a 16-year-old Jewish girl from Brooklyn, trying to get to New York City to sell a song she’s written. A year later she is married and has a child, which is when things turn badly. She discovers that her husband, Gerry Goffin, is manic depressive and is heavily into drugs. His drug use becomes so severe that he is hospitalized. After a brief separation, King accepts him back only to learn that he’s been having an affair.King’s relationship with Goffin wasn’t just personal. They worked as a songwriting team: She composed the music, and he wrote the lyrics. Together, they wrote memorable hits such as “Take Good Care of My Baby,” sung by Bobby Vee, and “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” sung by the Shirelles, among many others.
A Gripping Performance
The musical of King’s life, accompanied by her wonderful songs is a terrific experience, but it is even more riveting because of Samantha Gershman’s portrayal of the songwriter. Gershman exudes a charming innocence as an awkward teen and then transforms into a musical force when singing King’s signature songs such as “You’ve Got a Friend,” “I Feel the Earth Move,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” and more.
Although Goffin is not the most likable guy in the show, Alex Benoit delivers a strong portrayal of weak man who, although we disapprove of him, we feel sorry for.
In addition to King’s romantic and career journeys, the show also features her friendship with the songwriting team of Barry Mann (charismatic Andrew MacNaughton) and Cynthia Weil (Alexandra Palkovic), as well as with music manager and producer Don Kirshner (Michael Lawrence Brown).
While the show boasts wonderful performances, it also is beautifully staged. The vintage costumes by Nicole Boylan, the colorful set design by Misha Kachman, the lighting by Julie Mack, and projections by Anthony Churchill provide a nostalgic look back at another time. Moreover, the spirited choreography by Gerry McIntyre, the musical direction by Carolyn Brady, and a six-member pit orchestra provide a powerful musical and visual accompaniment and an upbeat momentum to the show.
King has had a compelling life, and her story in “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” is not only exceptional entertainment, but also serves as an inspiration that life’s heartrending experiences can be overcome with hope, hard work, and faith in ourselves.
