From left, the cast of "Beatiful." Julia Knitel, Erika Olson, Ben Fankhauser, Liam Tobin. Photo credit: Joan Marcus.
A packed house at the Adrienne Arsht Center for “Beautiful,” the homage to singer songwriter Carole King, and there were whistles, woo hoos and woots at the first note of each of the 27 musical numbers. And that's love.
“Beautiful” is a slick production. Masterful sets slide seamlessly and the lighting is perfection. Fie on anyone not impressed with the talents of the large cast.
Sixteen-year-old Carole King is unassuming, skinny, and obsessed with writing music and Julia Knitel's portrayal of her is entrancing as she arcs from 1958 through 1971 reliving her first sale, her romance with and marriage to lyricist Gerry Goffin (the touching Liam Tobin), the birth of her two daughters, her friendship with songwriters Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil (Erika Olson and Ben Fankhauser), her move to California and finally her 1971 Carnegie Hall concert.
I'm not going to list them all, whew, but here are five by Carole King that'll lighten your day:Take Good Care of My Baby, Will You Love Me Tomorrow, Up On the Roof, You've Got a Friend, You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman.
The Drifters in "Beautiful." Photo credit: Joan Marcus.
I'm guessing here that you've heard of Neil Sedaka, The Shirelles, The Drifters, Little Eva, and The Righteous Brothers. So rejoice. They're all on the stage.
This is a road show, but don't hold that against it. It's two hours of equity theater and all that means. Gorgeous, quick change costumes, fun choreography of the '70s, a witty book and, ah, the singing.
There's a large rockin' orchestra in the pit, and of course, actors playing instruments live on stage.
Marc Bruni directed and Josh Price choreographed.
Book by Douglas McGrath, and, surprise, words and music by Gerry Goffin and Carol King, and Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.
“Beautiful” plays through Sunday, Feb. 19 at the Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami. 305-949-6722 www.arshtcenter.org
