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Regional Reviews: Washington, D.C. Beautiful: The Carole King Musical Also see Susan's review of The Colored Museum
Douglas McGrath's book emphasizes the human drama behind the creation of rock and roll from the late 1950s through the early 1970s. The score consists of songs from throughout the period by King and Gerry Goffin (Michael Perrie Jr.) and their friends and rivals, Cynthia Weil (Nikka Mirza) and Barry Mann (Calvin McCullough), brought to life by a generously talented cast and 10 (under-the-stage) musicians conducted from the piano by Christopher Youstra. To begin with, the physical production is entertaining on its own. Debra Kim Sivigny's scenic design is itself often in motion: Performers appear on small platforms that slide across the stage and the large primary set undergoes surprising changes in each scene, highlighted by Colin K. Bills' lighting design that magnifies the use of vivid color. Kendra Rai's costumes shine as the action moves from the prim skirts and blouses of the early 1960s to the more laid-back style epitomized by Carole's second-act macrame blouse. Special mention must be made of the elaborate wig designs created by Larry Peterson and Alia Radabaugh. While choreographer Ashleigh King has created showcase dances throughout, the production is not all about flash. Director Amy Anders Corcoran draws out the human drama beneath the ephemeral moments of fame and personal satisfaction: as the story starts, Carole is precocious enough to have entered college at age 16. She dreams of writing pop songs, but her mother Genie (the peerless Donna Migliaccio) thinks she should become a music teacher instead. Goffin, outwardly confident but emotionally troubled, becomes her lyricist and ultimately helps her find her own voice and step out of his shadow. Weiss gives an endearing performance as a young woman fighting for what she thinks she needs and realizing that she can't have everything she wants. Perrie emphasizes Gerry's bullying confidence as well as the darkness he fears will shut down his creativity. Mirza and McCullough are well matched as a songwriting team who, in real life, were married for more than 60 years, ending with Weil's death in 2023. Bobby Smith is hilariously dyspeptic as music producer Don Kirschner, who oversees young talents in a Broadway office building that Carole calls a factory for music. Also worthy of mention are the singing groups who sell the lead characters' songs, including The Drifters (Quadry Brown, Montel B. Butler, Ian Anthony Coleman, Jay Frisby) and The Righteous Brothers (Kurt Boehm and Connor James Reilly). Beautiful: The Carole King Musical runs through August 25, 2024, at Olney Theatre Center, Roberts Mainstage, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney MD. For tickets and information, please call 301-924-3400 or visit www.olneytheatre.org. Book by Douglas McGrath Carole King: Natalie Weiss |
