The Tony Award-winning Beautiful – The Carole King Musical will open in the West End next February following the autobiographical show’s huge success on Broadway.
Featuring some of King’s most popular songs, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical will play at the Aldwych Theatre from 10 February (press night 25 February) with casting yet to be announced.
Featuring a book by Douglas McGrath, the musical tells the story of King’s journey from schoolgirl to superstar; from her relationship with husband and song-writing partner Gerry Goffin, their close friendship and playful rivalry with fellow song-writing duo Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, to her rise to stardom.
The show features a line-up of King’s numerous classic hits including So Far Away, It Might As Well Rain Until September, Take Good Care Of My Baby, Will You Love Me Tomorrow, Up On The Roof, Locomotion and One Fine Day, as well classics from Mann and Weil including You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling, and Uptown.
King described the production as capturing “the essence of my emergence as a singer and my growth as a woman”. Explaining how it felt to see her story reveal itself on stage, the legendary musician commented: “A few years ago I went to an early reading of a new musical about my life. Though some scenes about my younger years were very emotional for me, I could tell it was going to be a good show. I didn’t go to the opening on Broadway, but when I finally worked up the courage to see it, I loved everything about Beautiful.”
Talking about its arrival in London, the Grammy Award winner, whose seminal 1971 record Tapestry remained the best-selling album by a female artist for a staggering 25 years, commented: “I love that the next chapter of the Beautiful story is taking place in London’s West End. I have so many good friends in London and warm memories of good times there. I can’t wait to re-visit!”
Beautiful – The Carole King Musical is directed by Marc Bruni, who made his Broadway directing debut with the New York production that continues to run at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre following its premiere in January.
Prior to the show’s arrival, Dance ‘Til Dawn will play at the Aldwych Theatre from 23 October to 3 January, following the RSC’s acclaimed double bill Wolf Hall and Bring Up The Bodies, which comes to the end of its extended run at the theatre on 4 October.