The Cape Playhouse Presents ‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’. Book by Douglas McGrath. Words and music by Gerry Goffin & Carole King, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil. Directed by David Ruttura. Choreographed and Associate Directed by Joyce Chittick. Music Directed by Nick Williams. Scenic Design by Ryan Howell. Costume Design by Gail Baldoni. Lighting Design by Kirk Bookman. Sound Design by Emma Wilk. Wig Design by Bobbie Zlotnick. At The Cape Playhouse, Dennis, Massachusetts, through August 3, 2024.
By Linda Chin
If the buzz and camaraderie during intermission at last Saturday’s matinée of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical was an indication, audience members were having “one fine day” at The Cape Playhouse. In the multi-generational audience, traditionalists and boomers (like my plus-one and me) were well-represented, and what we had individually and collectively just experienced in the first act was a stroll down memory lane. For me, being in the historic Playhouse (which was originally a 19th-century church; the seats are wooden pews with comfy cushions), hearing beloved songs from my younger days (recognizable and filling me with anticipation from the first three chords) – and being taken back in time to moments and memories from my teen/young adult years, was surreal, even other-worldly. And, to continue the metaphor, the actors’ pitch-perfect renditions of the iconic songs on the Playhouse’s small, intimate stage, with their glorious voices and the live orchestra’s music soaring to the rafters, was spiritually uplifting, even heavenly.
In contrast, I spent many Saturdays as a teen “staying in bed all morning,” just passing the time by listening to King’s seminal album “Tapestry” over and over, getting up only to advance the needle on the record player. I absorbed her songs “It’s Too Late” (about the breakup of a loving relationship) and “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?” (about the aftermath of a one-night stand) as gospel, so foreign were these experiences from my own. On days when I didn’t get up with a smile on my face, King was the enthusiastic cheerleader, understanding therapist, and reliable friend who’d come running if needed.
Now revered as one of the greatest albums of all time, “Tapestry” was released in 1971, received Grammy and Platinum awards, stayed on the charts for five years, and set records in terms of selling records. Five decades later, it is still one of my go-to girl albums, and Carole King is still my favorite songwriter. Not only do the messages of love and friendship ring true, they are embraced by people of many ages and cultures.
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical tells the story of the life, work, and dreams of the fabulous female songwriter before “Tapestry,” from age 16 to 29. Carole King, née Klein, who is now 82, was raised in Brooklyn, NY by her single mother, Genie, who instilled Jewish traditions and a love of music/piano lessons in her daughter’s life, got married at age 17 to Queens College classmate Gerry Goffin (when she became pregnant with their first daughter Louise), and became involved in the music industry after starting as a songwriter in the Brill Building in Times Square, under the tutelage of Don Kirshner. The songwriting team (Gerry as lyricist and Carole as composer) become friends-rivals with another pair, Barry Man and Cynthia Weil. True to The Cape Playhouse’s tagline as the “Place Where Broadway Goes to Summer,” the actors who portray Carole (Julia Knitel), Gerry (Sam Gravitte), Cynthia (Stephanie Martignetti), Barry (Trevor James Berger), Don (James Clow), and Genie (Valerie Perri) are Broadway veterans.
The production does an excellent job of engaging and educating audiences about the lyricist and composer songwriting teams that helped girl and guy groups reach their dreams. Goffin and King were the writers of “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” which made the Shirelles the first all-female group to rise to Number One on the charts. They also were the geniuses who birthed dozens of “classic” hits for other favorite performers, including Aretha Franklin (“You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman”), the Beatles (“Chains”), the Chiffons (“One Fine Day”), the Drifters (“Up on the Roof”), Little Eva (“Loco-Motion”), and the Monkees (“Pleasant Valley Sunday”). The song and dance numbers by the energetic ensemble were exceptional. Knowing more about these songs’ backstories, you will never hear or think of them the same way again.
People of all generations (including the aforementioned, Gen Z, millennials, and Gen X) who enjoy musical theater and Carole King’s music and don’t live “so far away” from Dennis, Massachusetts, should head to The Cape Playhouse. The music and messages in Beautiful are timeless and universal. For tickets and information, go to: https://capeplayhouse.com/
