Some Kind of Wonderful!

Beautiful: The Carol King Musical

From a precocious 16-year-old from a Jewish family in Brooklyn, who skipped two grades in high school to study music at local Queens College, to her first published and recorded hit song, “It Might as Well Rain Until September,” we really get to know Carole King. She begins the show as a precocious teenage girl, who grows from being a likable and talented kid to become a wise and gifted young “Natural Woman.” “Oh, Carol,” I know that everyone agrees, you are absolutely “Some Kind of Wonderful!”

Telling the story of her early years while celebrating the brilliant career of singer/songwriter and music legend, Carole King, Douglas McGrath’s episodic libretto traces the ups and downs experienced by this humble, gifted artist. Chocked full of pop and rock hits from the 60’s and early 70’s, the score features such memorable songs as “So Far Away,” “Take Good Care of My Baby,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” “Up on the Roof,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” “One Fine Day,” “Chains,” “On Broadway,” “Pleasant Valley Sunday,” “Uptown,” “You’ve Got a Friend,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” and so many others. It’s no wonder the original cast album won the 2015 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album.

Amidst a whirlwind romance with her first love and longtime collaborator, lyricist Gerry Goffin, to their early marriage and the arrival of their first daughter, Carole develops her talent and learns all the tricks for surviving in the music business. She also eventually comes to realize that she’s been denying the obvious, all along. Gerry is soon revealed to be manic depressive as demonstrated through his violent and unexpected mood swings. Along with that, Gerry had a roving eye for the ladies. His emotional problems and romantic infidelity lead to a rocky married life between Carole and Gerry.

Along the way Carole has a date with Neil Sedaka, develops a close business relationship with legendary pop/rock music publisher Don Kirshner, becomes good friends with fellow songwriters Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, and composes hit songs for the Shirelles, the Drifters, Janelle Woods, Little Eva, Marilyn Wald, and The Righteous Brothers, among many others. Although she works tirelessly to make her marriage work, Carole finally comes to realize that her tumultuous relationship with Gerry has turned toxic. In order to find her own voice, she finally leaves him to begin a new life with her two daughters in California. It’s there that Ms. King develops her true sound, while writing and recording the songs for her first album, Tapestry. The musical closes as it opened, with Carole King, solo at the piano, joyfully playing and singing her own “Beautiful” music in a one-woman concert, at Carnegie Hall. 

Following no less than two National New York Tours visits to Chicago, this excellent production is the third locally-produced professional presentation in Chicagoland. The good news is that Drury Lane’s production, superbly Directed by Jane Lanier, is every bit as Beautiful. In addition to a wonderful script and a memorable score, the acting, singing and dancing is as spot-on as in the original Broadway hit. 

Talented New York actress/singer/dancer, Samantha Gershman (WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, A BEAUTIFUL NOISE), is absolutely terrific in the leading role, capturing all of Ms. King’s subtle nuances, both through her exquisite singing and her mirthful and moving dialogue. Ms. Gershman’s scenes with handsome Chicago and Broadway actor/singer Alex Benoit (THE NOTEBOOK, INTO THE WOODS), as Gerry Goffin, are both melodic, romantic and dramatic. Lovely and mega-talented Chicago triple-threat, Alexandra Palkovic (A CHORUS LINE, THE LITTLE MERMAID at Drury Lane) whose vocal talent and chrisma is irresistible, makes a delightfully droll Cynthia Weil. And Windy City favorite, Andrew MacNaughteon (JERSEY BOYS, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, both at Mercury Theater), is hilarious as hypochondriac composer, and Cynthia’s writing partner and love interest, Barry Mann. 

Two magnificent supporting cast members in this production return to Drury Lane after a few years. Michael Lawrence Brown (CAMELOT, in Oakbrook Terrace and A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, at Light Opera Works) is especially savvy, fatherly and empathetic as Donny Kirshner. Chicago actress Rebekah Ward (THE AUDIENCE) brings her signature humor and lots of maternal instincts to her role as Genie Klein, Carol’s ever-controlling mother.

The power and talent of the entire ensemble of this production cannot be downplayed. Brilliantly portraying an array of famed, talented recording artists of the past, from the Drifters to the Shirelles, from Neil Sedaka to Janelle Woods, this gifted ensemble almost steals the show. They include Averis Anderson, Ryan Michael Armstrong, Anna Louise Bramlett, Lydia Burke, Raeven Carrol, Maxwell J. DeTogne, Alley Ellis, Ian Geers, Emily Goldberg, Makenzy Jenkins, Alanna Lovely, Chamaya Moody, Austin Nelson Jr., Nataki Rennie, Mitzi Smith Michael Turentine and Rico Velazquez. 

The company sparkles and glitters vocally and choreographically, but especially as clad in Nicole Boylan’s magnificent period Costumes, appropriately accented by Kevin Foster II’s period-perfect Wigs, Hair and Makeup. Played against Scenic Designer Misha Kachman’s eye-popping, flexible and functional stage setting, the multicolored visual effect is inspired by the title of Carole King’s award-winning album, Tapestry. The show is colorfully illuminated by Lighting Designer Julie Mack with plenty of pop concert pizzazz. And it features some wonderful, site-specific Projections, courtesy of Designer Anthony Churchill.

Gifted Director Jane Lanier also returns to Drury Lane, where she Choreographed and Directed A CHORUS LINE. Once again she’s brought out the best performances in each member of her large cast. She keeps the musical moving, while taking the necessary moments for the audience to really get to know and understand these characters. Gerry McIntyre gets everyone moving with his 60’s and 70’s style dance moves and Choreography. Expert Musical Direction is provided by the much-in-demand Carolyn Brady, while Chris Sargent never misses a beat while Conducting and also playing keyboard with his six-member pit orchestra.

I have to confess that I have loved this nostalgic jukebox musical for years. I’ve seen it at least six times, beginning with Jesse Mueller’s perfect, Tony Award-winning Broadway performance as Carole King, and it’s always a sentimental trip down memory lane for me. Anyone who spent their teen years growing up in the 1960’s and 70’s will feel the same, usually coupled by the query, “I didn’t know Carole King wrote that song?”

Drury Lane’s production is a joyous and magical musical, from start to finish. No one will leave the theatre wishing for more because Jane Lanier’s polished production leaves it all on the stage. Starring the very best actor/singer/dancers, featuring gorgeous, much beloved songs from the past and creating a deserved tribute to one of America’s finest musical artists, this Must-See musical is quite simply “Some Kind of Wonderful!”

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented January 29-March 23 by Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the Drury Lane box office, by calling 630-530-0111 or by going to www.DruryLaneTheatre.com.

Additional information about this and other area shows may be found at www.theatreinchicago.com.