From teenage songwriter to prolific performer, Carole King’s music became the soundtrack of a generation and you can experience her influence live onstage when Beautiful – The Carole King Musical plays The Lincoln Center February 27–29.
“Her music shaped an entire generation of background soundtracks to people’s lives,” says Kennedy Caughell, who plays Carole King in the national Broadway touring production of Beautiful. “And that means it continues to be relevant and continues to shape the music that comes out today.”
Based on the inspiring true story of Carole King’s remarkable rise to stardom, Beautiful follows King from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann to finding her own voice and becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history.
This Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical features an array of beloved songs written by these hit songwriting teams including “I Feel The Earth Move,” “One Fine Day,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “You’ve Got A Friend” and title song “Beautiful.” In addition to these favorites, audiences will be surprised and delighted to hear songs created by King and Goffin like “The Loco-Motion” first performed by Little Eva and “Pleasant Valley Sunday” for The Monkees.
“Whether it’s a song that they love or a song that they didn’t realize was Carole King’s, I love hearing the audience’s reaction when a song starts,” says Caughell.
Beyond the hits, Beautiful also explores Carole King’s personal life and events leading to her iconic solo career.
“I think people really resonate with the music but also respond to the story,” says Caughell. “Most people who come to the show don’t know everything that she went through. I think the way that she had the courage to be kind in moments when it’s hard to be kind, really touches people.”
“I do feel a pressure to really do her justice because she is a person and not a fictional character,” Caughell continues. “I want to bring authenticity and truthfulness to my role to really honor what she went through. I also feel very humbled to be able to step into her life because—I mean—you don’t get much better than Carole King.”
Feel inspired by the life and music of Carole King when you experience Beautiful – The Carole King Musical February 27–29 at The Lincoln Center. Seats from $20 at LCtix.com.