On Theater: A ‘Beautiful’ tribute to a living legend
Pop music from a recent but bygone era (“Jersey Boys,” “Motown”) seems to be a favorite choice of topics for the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, which continues the tradition in grand style with its current production of “Beautiful — The Carole King Musical.”
It’s a tuneful tribute to the living legend who actually has enjoyed two enormously successful careers, first as a composer of music for other artists to sing, then as a superb vocalist in her own right. And the Segerstrom Center show has unearthed a true gem as its centerpiece with Julia Knitel in the title role, who can convincingly play King in her mid-teens or approaching the big 4-0.
As a precocious teenager, King (then known as Carol Klein) dated Neil Sedaka, whose hit tune “Oh! Carol” was written for her. She went on to influence the careers of the Drifters, the Shirelles, the Righteous Brothers and even her babysitter, Little Eva, who propelled “The Locomotion.”
All of these artists are portrayed in “Beautiful” as milestones in an engrossing life story — 400 compositions resulting in over 100 hit singles and six Grammys. And as we bid farewell at her Carnegie Hall concert, it appears she still has a good deal of gas left in the tank.
Knitel’s terrific performance is packed with dimension, blending ambition and self-doubt with a magnificent vocal talent only evidenced once she’s cut the cord to the cheating husband whose partnership enriched her earlier career. That role, of Gerry Goffin, is moodily portrayed by Liam Tobin, whose occasional outbursts forecast a breakdown in the near future.
Carole and Gerry have a rival songwriting couple, but the four become fast friends. Erika Olson shines as the gorgeous, pragmatic Cynthia Weil, and Ben Fankhauser provides some fine comic relief as the hypochondriac Barry Mann.
Two supporting performances stand out — Suzanne Grodner as Carole’s fussy mother and Curt Bouril as the hard-driving record producer Don Kirshner. Rebecca E. Covington and Traci Elaine Lee glisten as vocalists, as does Rosharra Francis in a spirited turn as Little Eva.
Musical highlights abound, but two of them really command attention. The first is when the Righteous Brothers (Andrew Brewer and John Michael Dias) sing their mega-hit “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” and the second comes as Knitel tests her own wings on her modern classic “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.”
Douglas McGrath’s story line weaves skillfully in and out of the musical moments, deftly directed by Marc Bruni with impressive choreography by Josh Prine. Derek McLaine’s glittering set design provides an impressive backdrop for the lush ‘60s costumes of Alejo Vietti.
“Beautiful” is all that and more. It’s a heartfelt tribute to a musical era and some of its principal players who revive what have become pop music classics at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts.
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TOM TITUS covers local theater.
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IF YOU GO
What: “Beautiful — The Carole King Musical”
When: Till Oct. 16; 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays
Where: Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa
Cost: Tickets start at $29
Information: (714) 556-2787 or scfta.org
