by ERIKA SASSEVILLE

From teenage songwriter to two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Carole King’s life is an inspiring tale full of talent, love, hard work, friendship, and (above all) music. In Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, now playing at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres through September, her story is told through the very songs to which she dedicated her life. The musical follows Carole’s (Monet Sabel) life and career in the music industry from selling her first song at age sixteen in 1958 to her Carnegie Hall debut in 1971 following the release of her grammy winning album, Tapestry. The audience is carried with Carole through the intervening years as she marries her first husband and writing partner, Gerry Goffin (Shad Hanley), and are treated to delightful performances of just a sampling of the dozens of hit songs they wrote together. We also meet close friends and friendly rivals Cynthia Weil (Shinah Hey) and Barry Mann (Alan Bach) and a number of their hit songs and other popular music from the 50s-60s fill out the rest of the track list. Directed by Father-Daughter Duo Michael and Cat Brindisi, the production is as sweet and groovy as the music, with show-stopping performances by Monet Sabel and songs that will have you dancing in your seat.

Sabel does an incredible job capturing the soul and grounded nature of Carole, wowing the audience during several songs, especially by the end of the show with “Natural Woman” and “Beautiful.” Hey and Bach as Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann deliver most of the humor and light in the show, and showcase their own formidable vocal talents in songs like “Walking in the Rain” and “You’ve Got A Friend.” The ensemble features performances from each actor as multiple characters and musical groups, including standout numbers by the Drifters (John Jamison II, Mitchell Douglas, Reginald D. Haney, and Matthew Hall), the Shirelles (Quinn Lorez, Rue Norman, Daysha Ramsey, and Anya Naylor), Bobby Vee (Dylan Rugh), and Little Eva (KateMarie Andrews). Music Director, Conductor, and Keyboard 1 Andy Kust has done a marvelous job with the music and vocals, and absolutely tears up the keyboard as he plays all the piano pieces for the many musical numbers where Carole and Barry are showing off their new compositions. The choice to light the pit so they are visible to the audience is an inspired one, as we get to see the musicians in all their glory. Extremely appropriate in a musical that celebrates the musicians as much as the music.

The script drives through the late 1950s-early 1970s and we are able to easily keep up with the changing times thanks to careful design choices by Scenic Designer (Nayna Ramey), Costume Designer (Barbara Portinga), and Lighting Designer (Sue Ellen Berger). The basic permanent scenic design hints at mid-century modern interior while allowing rolling furniture that makes up individual scenes to give more nuance to the time period and pairs exceptionally well with the geometric light installations against the back wall and a few delightful lighting surprises throughout the theatre and dining space. The costume design is everything you want in a period musical that features pop music groups of the 50s-60s, and you can tell that Portinga had an especially fun time costuming Shinah Hey as Cynthia Weil. Fashionable enough to be remarked upon at least once in the script, Weil is every bit the fashionista so it’s hard to pick a favorite look from the show, but my personal favorite (please forgive me, fashion is not my area so I’m sure this is not the correct terminology) was a certain patterned and flowing jumpsuit that she wears towards the end of Act II.

As someone who previously only knew some of Carole King’s biggest hits, but mostly from the theme song “Where You Lead” from the TV Show Gilmore Girls*, I was taken aback by Carole’s story and the amount of life and success she was able to find in such a short amount of time. Even if you are familiar with Carole King’s music, you might be surprised by just how many hits she has to her name. This production is a charming and entertaining night out, and Chanhassen Dinner Theatres’ hospitality is without peer. If you’re looking for something to do this spring, or want to get out of the heat this summer, you couldn’t go wrong with Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.

* I was unaware until I did some research during intermission that Carole rewrote “Where you Lead” and rerecorded the song with her daughter, Louise Goffin for the Gilmore Girls pilot. I’ve always loved the song in connection with the show, and I have a brand new appreciation for it knowing now that it was revamped as a song to celebrate mother-daughter relationships by Carole and the daughter she had at seventeen years old.

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical Book by Douglas McGrath, Words and Music by Gerry Goffin and Carole King & Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil will play on Chanhassen Dinner Theatres’ Main Stage through September 2024. BEAUTIFUL will be performed eight times weekly with evening performances Tuesday through Sunday evenings, and Wednesday and Saturday matinees. Dinner and show ticket prices: Tuesday and Wednesday evenings $85; Thursday evenings $90; Friday and Saturday evenings $105; Wednesday matinees $75 and Saturday matinees $85; Sunday $100. Groups of 12 or more are eligible to receive special discounts. For specific times, reservations and information, call the CDT box office at 952-934-1525 or visit ChanhassenDT.com

Production Team: Michael Brindisi and Cat Brindisi-Darrow (co-directors), Tamara Kangas Erickson (choreographer), Andy Kust (musical director), Nayna Ramey (scenic design), Barbara Portinga (costume design), Sue Ellen Berger (lighting design), Russ Haynes (sound design), Lex Patton and Tracy Swenson (wig design), Chloe Volna-Rich (Production Stage Manager).