Genesius Theatre of Reading will stage “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” Aug. 9 through 18, a show that is a biographical musical about the life and works of Carole King.
While King is perhaps most well-known for her 1972 Grammy-Award-winning Album of the Year, “Tapestry,” which includes hits such as “You’ve Got a Friend,” “So Far Away,” “I Feel the Earth Move,” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” her career was built by the lower-profile work of songwriting for other pop superstars. All in all, King’s composition or co-composition was behind a 118 Billboard Hot 100 hits.
“Ms. King’s impact on the music industry is monumental,” show director Lawrence Fecho, producing artistic director of Genesius Theatre, said in the release. “Even today, her work continues to shape the music we listen to.”
The musical weaves the story of King’s life and work – from her ambitious childhood in Brooklyn, New York, to her tumultuous relationship with (now ex) husband and songwriting partner, Gerry Goffin – with vignettes of famous artists singing her music in the recording studio and on the stage.
In addition to high-energy dance numbers by an ensemble of nearly 40 performers, audience members will be treated to an intimate view of the emotional stories behind the songs they know and love.
“I think it’s important to know that, although this wonderful piece of musical theatre highlights the amazing music Carole wrote (as well as the music her dear friends and fierce competitors, Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, wrote), it is about so much more than that,” Fecho said.
“This is a story of Carole’s tremendous tenacity, hard work, faith, and survival abilities. Enduring her difficult relationship with Goffin would have brought the best of anyone down, and yet Carole just kept reinventing herself, moving forward, and rising above in a male-dominated industry,” he said.
Emily Rhinehart, whose astute acting chops and soaring vocals have earned her a reputation as one of the most talented performers in the region, will be playing the titular role of Carole King.
“Having the opportunity to portray someone as iconic as Carole King is truly difficult to put into words” Rhinehart said in the release.
“Daunting” certainly comes to mind, but above all, she feels honored, Rhinehart said.
“Carole was a trailblazer and completely fearless to make her career goals happen from the age of 16. More than that, she had the courage to change her life when past decisions weren’t serving her anymore, and to make her life what she wanted it to be,” she said.
“I hope that telling the life story of a strong, talented, powerful woman like Carole King helps to inspire women of all ages to be fearless and pursue their dreams, just like she did,” Rhinehart said.
Although the Broadway production of “Beautiful” utilized muted pianos with an off-stage pianist live-dubbing the actor’s playing, Rhinehart will be playing live on the Genesius stage – something she dubs as “far and above one of the biggest challenges” she’s ever given herself.
“When auditions were announced, a good friend of mine suggested it would be extra impressive if I actually played the piano like Carole. So, even though I haven’t taken a piano lesson since I was 11, I bought a keyboard off of Facebook Marketplace and have been practicing since last year,” Rhinehart shared.
Aside from daily time behind the keys, Rhinehart has been preparing for this iconic role by watching “just about every interview with Carole I could get my hands on,” and listening to “Tapestry” nearly every day.
Fecho said Genesius’ ability to put up so many shows in a season – each one brimming with the best local talent and with production values beyond what any other 96-seat-theatre could ever offer – has always amazed him.
“Often called ‘the little theatre that could… and does,’ Genesius is the best of Broadway in a larger-than-life intimate setting. Genesius has continued to inspire me after all these years, ever since I was a Genesius Kid way back in 1971, when this theatre had its humble beginnings,” said Fecho.
The Genesius production stars Emily Rhinehart as Carole King, Lady Strongman as songwriting partner and ex-husband, Gerry Goffin, Veronica Smith and James Haggerty as the pair’s friends and fellow songwriters, Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, Anita Lewis as Carole’s mother, Genie Klein, and Bill Eschbach as music producer, Don Kirshner.
The large ensemble includes Reggie Brown, James Barksdale, Jahlil Little, Edwin Dias, and Calvin Scott as The Drifters, and Chrissyanne Lawson, Kimberly Doyle, Jeilyn Patience and Edwina Vargas as The Shirelles.
Sponsored by Penske, the show is directed and produced by Lawrence Fecho, music directed by Kevin Cooper, choreographed by Jericho Joy, and stage managed by Sara Huard. Lighting design is by Thomas Hudson and David Tyson of Scary Good Productions, hair and wig design is by Diane Keck of Thanx Hair Artistry, costume design is by Dara Tatarowicz and Cathy Miller, set design is by Lawrence Fecho, Rod Snyder is master carpenter, Jeffrey Jones is prop master, scenic design is by Marjory Ewald, James Haggerty and Evan Reed.
Shows are Aug. 9 and 10 at 7:30 p.m., Aug. 11 at 3 p.m., Aug. 13 to 16 at 7:30 p.m., Aug. 17 at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Aug. 18 at 3 p.m. The production runs approximately two hours and 20 minutes with one intermission. Tickets are $18-$37.50. For tickets and additional information, visit www.genesiusdifference.org
Genesius Theatre, located at 153 N. 10th St. in Reading, is accessible to individuals who use mobility aids. Free parking is available in a lot adjacent to the building. For more information on parking or accessibility, call the theatre at 610-371-8151 or email info@genesiustheatre.org.
Source: Berkshire mont