Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (NYC) NYC Reviews and Tickets

"Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” should probably be titled “Brooklyn Girl.” This renaming would allow theatergoers to know exactly what to expect of the friendly, formulaic bio-musical."
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"Perhaps such material can’t be well directed, but we will never know. What I can say is that Marc Bruni certainly hasn’t improved it. The show is full of clunky transitions, dead space, scenes that peter out until someone mercifully snaps off the lights."
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"McGrath, director Marc Bruni and the appealing performers don’t exactly break that mold by going for complexity. But while keeping things light and breezy, they have populated Beautiful with well-defined characters with relatable human foibles."
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"Watching Beautiful, the new jukebox musical celebrating the remarkable life and work of Carole King, you may not feel the earth move under your feet. But the new Broadway show emerges as a slick and joyous celebration of female empowerment."
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"The early life and career of legendary singer-songwriter Carole King surely deserves more imaginative treatment than the corny chronological storytelling and old-fashioned musical format of “Beautiful.” But all is forgiven, whenever Jessie Mueller, in the modest person of Carole King, sits down at the piano and pours heart and soul into familiar favorites from the composer’s songbook."
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"King made magic with her catalogue and it is an unqualified treat to hear her best-known hits performed live...Too bad a great musical isn’t only about the music. The book is crucial, too — and this show’s connect-the-dots story line is so simplistic that the extravagantly talented King’s life emerges as a mundane version of the long-suffering little woman."
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"Director Marc Bruni has taken the gift of a smart and economical script and run with it. Amid lightning-quick transitions, this show only decelerates when it wants to. Split-second costume changes (designer Alejo Vietti must be a witch) add to the magic and fun of the evening."
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"Though Beautiful is ultra-slick and impeccably executed for what it is, electrifying it is not."
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“More than two dozen amazingly catchy songs of yesteryear are heard throughout ‘Beautiful’ as McGrath’s smart script nimbly relates how King, still in her teens, and Goffin, scarcely older, teamed up to turn out hits...What makes ‘Beautiful so, well, beautiful is watching King evolve from a dowdy, insecure teenager into a confident, mature artist...The show looks fresh in performance, thanks to a versatile, highly energetic ensemble.”
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“The script is snappier than I remembered...Music-wise, the biggest thrill is hearing contrasting versions of songs you know and love...The switches between the writers’ and the pop stars’ renditions, thanks to director Marc Bruni, are quick and polished; and, even more important, the music, thanks to orchestrator/arranger Steve Sidwell, sounds dynamite...You’re bound to recognize all these songs...but please, for the sake of your fellow Carole King–loving audience members, don’t sing along."
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"'Beautiful' places more focus on the music than the story and plot, making it not so much a tribute to Carole King’s life as it is a tribute to her large body of work...King’s relationship with Gerry is glossed over and we learn little about what their life is like. This leads to the end of their relationship feeling less dramatic and climactic than it could have been...Anyone who was not a fan of King’s songs before the show will most likely be one by curtain call."
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“Beautiful,” is beautifully performed and tuneful new entertainment.The story serves as an efficient delivery system for Carole King’s surprisingly diverse hits – not much more, nothing less."
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"Director Marc Bruni and the design team keep things moving at a brisk pace. The show is tightly directed and seamlessly flows from the songwriters to the pop artists that shared their work with the world. The hard-working ensemble takes on these musical icons, and while they look and sound incredibly polished, there is a decidedly “Broadway” sound to their vocal delivery."
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"'Beautiful' takes the early life story – and music – of the legendary singer-songwriter Carole King to create one of the most entertaining Broadway shows in years. All of the necessary elements have come together here, from a surprisingly smart and witty book by Douglas McGrath, smooth direction by Marc Bruni, and the work of a consistently top-notch cast. As a result, audiences leave with a song on their lips, a smile on their face, and even a tingle in their heart."
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"Before we get to what's wrong with Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, let's establish what's so right that it instantly joins the ranks of irresistible jukebox tuners. In other words, it should have a long and healthy run, if, the producers can either convince Jessie Mueller to remain in the title role forever or if they can find replacements as enormously talented as she is."
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“Pretty much what I expected — a slick jukebox musical/biography of King’s early career...It is in very good shape. Although I had never heard of any of the present leads all were competent if not loaded with charisma...With 27 songs to squeeze in, there is no room in book for much more than connecting the dots...Bruni’s smooth direction keeps things moving...The singers were overamplified almost to the point of aural pain...If you like the music, you will probably have a good time.”
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"Mueller's portrayal of King — far and away the best reason to see Beautiful."
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"'Beautiful' lacks the biographical wallop and dramatic intensity of such jukebox musicals as 'Jersey Boys' and the gleeful fun of 'Mamma Mia'... The presentation and performances of these venerable songs is hollow and spotty, like watching a highbrow version of TV’s 'Solid Gold'…Regardless, 'Beautiful' has a guilty-pleasure sense of fun and nostalgia and a few hearty performances, making us overlook the show’s many shortcomings."
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"An entertaining blend of charm, nostalgia, and showmanship. The show’s overall feel and musicality will resonate greatly with a generation of baby boomers...While the book provides a cohesive plot and allows for a firmly developed point-counterpoint between the songwriting teams, the overall results for 'Beautiful' are problematic."
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"It’s more of a living jukebox filled with Carole King’s works, with minimal context and a cringe-worthy Jewish mother added...The audience is there for the great music and choreography, and the cast does not disappoint...Unfortunately, some of the references will only make sense to AARP card-toting audience members...It’s practically a given that everyone will leave the show humming something from the Carole King catalog."
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"Beautiful lives up to its name and then some! The new musical based on the life of and featuring the music of legendary songwriter Carole King is a non-stop hit parade and the perfect example of a jukebox musical done right!"
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“Abby’s opening moment at the piano did lack the spark and charisma of Jessie–but once the actual story began, Abby pulled way ahead with her acting chops. She acted her way through each and every moment. I knew I was going to love the music, but this time I really connected with the character and her struggle. This show is so much more than just a jukebox collection of great songs. There is a wonderful story full of wit and pathos.”
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"Jessie Mueller strikes a delicate balance between spunk and humility, making it impossible not to root for her as she morphs into an inspired Carole King."
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