Beautiful

Charlene Baldridge
Photo by Daddy

Beautiful is as ‘Beautiful’ Does

The touring production of the 2014 Broadway musical, Beautiful, The Carole King Musical, had its critical opening Wednesday night (August 3) at the Civic Theatre, under the auspices of Broadway San Diego. The show, which received mixed reviews at the time of its Broadway premiere, has 25+ songs, a minimal book, a spectacular, colorful set by Derek McLane, and costumes by Alejo Vietti. My friend and I had a blast, and the audience response was enthusiastic. It’s interesting that the King role is played here by Abby Mueller, sister of Jessie Mueller, who received a Tony Award for the role, which she created on Broadway.

The technical elements are grand (lights by Peter Kaczorowski, sound by Brian Ronan), the songs are familiar and well performed, Josh Prince’s choreography is slick and appropriate, and I found Douglas McGrath’s book witty, impressionistic, and just what’s needed. I went in not knowing much about the singer/songwriter (b. 1942) and came out knowing enough to make me curious about her life in music; and I discovered I’m certainly familiar with her songs, many of which she wrote with her first husband, Gerry Goffin. I am also acquainted with the songs of the show’s other writing team, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. In the show, all write for the same manager, Don Kirschner at Aldon Music, at 1650 Broadway right across the street from the fabled Brill Building. It’s amazing I remember any of the tunes. My kids were pre-teens at the time (early ‘60s).

To name just a few of the songs in the show: “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” “I Feel The Earth Move Under My Feet,” “Locomotion,” “It’s Too Late,” Beautiful,” “On Broadway,” and “You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feeling.”

Abby Mueller as Carole King
Photo by: Joan Marcus

With consistent vocal quality, Mueller and Ben Fankhauser are company standouts as King and Barry Mann. The other principal singers, Liam Tobin as Goffin and Becky Gulsvig as Weil, are equally good vocally and dramatically, and Curt Bouril is exceptionally likeable as Kirschner, a rather underwritten role. They are supported by a singing/dancing ensemble of 18, who play sister, mother, potential lovers, musicians, and members of the Shirelles, the Monkees, the Righteous Brothers, and the Drifters.

It’s a relaxing two and a half hours of terrific music, solidly performed and supported by an all-union orchestra comprising four traveling players, including conductor/keyboard/music director Susan Draus* (an insider tells me that Nick Williams is conducting this week), and eight locally based artists. Orchestrations, vocal and music arrangements are by Steve Sidwell. So smoothly is it handled and timed, one could swear the actors are really playing the traveling armada of upright pianos on Broadway.

Beautiful continues nightly through 6:30pm Sunday at the Civic Theatre, 3^rd and B Street, Downtown. www.broadwaysd.com or 619-570-1100.

Thu Eve	August 4, 2016	7:30P
Fri Eve	August 5, 2016	8:00P
Sat Mat	August 6, 2016	2:00P
Sat Eve	August 6, 2016	8:00P
Sun Mat	August 7, 2016	1:00P
Sun Eve	August 7, 2016	6:30P