I don’t often recommend musicals. I find them dated and a bit silly, unless they’re terrific. The just opened Tony Award winning Beautiful about singer/songwriter Carole King’s early career from school girl to superstar is just that, terrific.
I wasn’t the only person smiling, tapping my foot or crying throughout the two hour plus show. True, I grew up listening to King’s hits, like ‘One Fine Day‘, ‘I Feel the Earth Move‘ and ‘So Far Away‘, but I also think her life story has universal appeal. Talk about female empowerment.
Born in Brooklyn and brought up by a single mother, King shined early with her tear jerker number one hit ‘Will You Love Me Tomorrow‘ at 17. By the age of 20 she was writing for the biggest Rock n’ Roll acts around like Aretha Franklin, the Shirelles and the Drifters (latter two portrayed on stage below).
When King’s marriage to womanising songwriter Gerry Goffin failed, the down-to-earth, shy, domestic-yearning King moved from New York to LA with her two young daughters. It was in LA that the talented King’s solo career took off with the hit album Tapestry. At just 29, King became the first female singer/songwriter to win all three Grammy Awards – record, song and album – and with more than 25 million records sold, King reigned as the top-selling female artist for 25 years. Not bad.
My only regret is that I didn’t go Tuesday night, instead of Wednesday when 73-year old King, who lives in Idaho, made a surprise appearance and sang ‘So Beautiful‘. Lucky audience. Below is King with British actress Katie Brayben who plays the singer in the musical. The musical is based on a book by screen writer, film director and actor Douglas McGrath.
Run don’t walk to get tickets. And bring some tissues.
February, 2015
