Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (NYC) NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (5,799)
See it if You like musicals and great singing.
Don't see it if You don't like musicals and don't like pop music.
See it if If you loved the music of Carole King you will appreciate it even more once you learn more about the life of this superstar.
Don't see it if If you don’t like biographic musicals that threads together many of the hits she wrote for others and her own success as a performer.
See it if Loved the show and the singing. Had no idea that Carole King wrote the music to so many songs.
Don't see it if If you do not like Carole King's music and songs.
See it if The evolution of Carol King from a suburban housewife to a hall of fame singer-songwriter explores the social changes of the 1960th.
Don't see it if If you do not like rock n roll Read more
See it if you want to know more about Carole King's life, you like her music.
Don't see it if you don't like musicals
See it if you are a Carole King fan you enjoy great music you like to see a casual look at the process of writing songs
Don't see it if none, other than you have tickets for Hamilton at the same performance time
See it if You’d enjoy a biographically based production of the wonderful and brilliantly presented Goffen/King playlist.
Don't see it if If you dislike Carole King music, or biographically based musicals.
See it if Enjoy the music of the 60's
Don't see it if you do not like carole king's songs
Critic Reviews (23)
“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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“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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"'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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