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Monet Sabel as Carole King in Slow Burn Theatre's "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical" playing at the Broward Center's Amaturo Theater in Fort Lauderdale through Sunday, March 1. (Photo by Larry Marano)
The enthusiastic crowd at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts made one thing clear: the music of Carole King from the 1960s still resonates today.
Responding with immediate applause at the opening lyrics of her biggest hits, Slow Burn Theatre Company’s production of the jukebox bio-musical, "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical" is energetic, full of harmony and nostalgia. It runs through Sunday, March 1, in the Broward Center’s Amaturo Theater in Fort Lauderdale.
The running time is about two hours and 20 minutes, including intermission.
Under Slow Burn Artistic Director Patrick Fitzwater’s direction, the production is consistently engaging and never lags. With powerhouse vocals, high-octane movement, and believable performances, a cast of nearly 20 triple threats disappears into King’s world.
The musical charts her rise from her teenage years in Brooklyn during the late 1950s to her emergence as one of the most celebrated songwriters of her generation.
The story follows King's early collaborations with husband Gerry Goffin, her work with fellow songwriters Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, and the challenges she faced in a male-dominated music industry.
Colleen Pagano and Monet Sabel performing in Slow Burn Theatre production of "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical." (Photo by Larry Marano)
Key songs such as "Will You Love Me Tomorrow," "You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling," "It Might As Well Rain Until September," and "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" serve as both plot points and emotional highlights, reflecting her personal and professional growth.
Monet Sabel stars as King, bringing energy and determination to the role from the very first scene. Early in the show, she moves quickly across the stage, emphasizing King’s drive to succeed in a male-dominated music industry.
The show opens with “So Far Away,” set during King’s 1971 Carnegie Hall concert, before flashing back to her teenage years.
Even at that young age, during a time when women faced restrictions, King asserts her independence. Against her mother’s objections, Genie (a sharp-tongued Colleen Pagano), she travels to Manhattan to pitch a song to producer Don Kirshner. Even at 16, King’s independence is evident.
Sabel’s King is consistently likable, with long brown hair, a soaring voice, and a bright blue-and-white costume by Rick Pena. Douglas McGrath’s touching and humorous book integrates pre-existing songs by King, Goffin, Weil, and Mann seamlessly into the story. Mostly, the songs make sense within the context of the narrative.
Sabel’s King remains confident and assertive when facing Kirshner (Michael Dean Morgan), who initially appears wisecracking, demanding, and impatient. As Morgan deftly portrays him, Kirshner slowly and credibly softens into a caring and dedicated executive who genuinely cares about his employees.
As Goffin, Milo Alosi, delivers the key line with believable love and honesty. The actor makes it clear that Goffin is genuinely sorry for mistreating King and wishes her the best.
Alosi and Sabel share strong chemistry as a couple devoted not only to loving each other but to composing hit songs. At the reviewed performance, the audience likely sensed Goffin’s earnestness and determination as Alosi portrayed him.
Milo Alosi playing Gerry Goffin with Monet Sabel as Carole King, in Slow Burn Theatre's "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical." (Photo by Larry Marano)
We also sense a strong bond between Sabel’s King and the award-winning performer playing Cynthia Weil, Lindsey Corey. This is particularly evident when King seeks emotional support after learning that Goffin is cheating on her.
Speaking and singing in a pure voice, Corey credibly lends Weil compassion and polish. But she also nails Weil’s quick wit, self-confidence, and sarcasm while remaining likable. Even when they’re competing, we sense goodwill between the two couples through their easy laughter and conversation.
We also feel the individual couples’ devotion to each other. For example, King places her arm around Gerry as Weil and Mann—played by the good-natured Nick Anastasia—perform a song for Kirshner. One of the production’s most moving moments comes just before King moves to Los Angeles, when she says goodbye to Weil and Mann and gifts them the heartfelt song "You’ve Got a Friend," which Sabel delivers with soulful emotion.
While in L.A. and recording her album, “Tapestry,” Sabel’s King hesitates during a vulnerable moment when her producer, Lou Adler (Rick Pena, filling in for regular performer Tim Davis), asks her to sing "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman."
She looks believably uncomfortable, and understandably so: she co-wrote the song with Goffin and fears it may stir old feelings, knowing that the couple are apart. But Sabel’s King musters confidence, and with a voice that displays both strength and seduction, delivers a passionate rendition of the song.
Logan Green, Jawan Hayes, Jermarcus Riggins, and Jerel brown in "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical" playing at the Broward Center's Amaturo Theater. (Photo by Larry Marano)
A fine supporting cast brings verve and style to recognizable songs such as "On Broadway," "Up on the Roof," "The Locomotion," and "Happy Days Are Here Again," as well as the title song.
A live band ably accompanies the performers, who dance lively under Cat Pagano’s physical choreography. Under Fitzwater’s fluid direction, transitions between scenes happen seamlessly, with set pieces quickly entering and leaving the stage.
Scenic designer Nikolas Serrano’s spacious, two-level set allows the director to highlight performers in different parts of the stage and provides plenty room for movement.
Eric Norbury’s mood-enhancing lighting illuminates performers properly and bathes the space in fitting hues; for instance, the set glows elegantly in purple and black.
From strong acting and vocals to vibrant movement and impressive design, the multi award-winning Slow Burn Theatre Company’s production shines. It captures King’s professional and personal growth, leaving audiences entertained and inspired.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Slow Burn Theatre Company’s professional production of “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.”WHEN: Various showtimes through Sunday, March 1.
WHERE: Broward Center for the Performing Arts’ Amaturo Theater, 201 S.W. 5th Ave. in Ft. Lauderdale.
TICKETS: $49-$96.75
INFO: (954) 462-0222 or visit www.slowburntheatre.org
