A BEAUTIFUL TAPESTRY OF SONGS AND STORY

Reagle Music Theatre kicks off the summer with a vibrant, lovingly crafted staging of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, directed with finesse and flair by Deanna Dys. Her production fluidly moves from cramped domestic scenes in Brooklyn to the adolescent alchemy of late-50s and early-60s pop in the bustling “song factory” of 1650 Broadway (The Brill Building) to the shimmering sets and radiant ensemble work of girl groups like The Shirelles and doo-wop performers like The Drifters.

The cast

Dey Chante as Little Eva

As Carole King, Olivia Palmer channels King’s evolution from reticent prodigy to powerhouse solo artist with warmth and wisdom, offering impressive piano work as well as a great match for the timbre of King’s familiar voice. Shad Hanley wins our sympathy for Gerry Goffin in his descent from poet and partner to burden and betrayer, while Harley Seger sparkles with smarts and style as King’s more-confident BFF and competitor Cynthia Weil. Backed by a full orchestra and a terrific ensemble, this Beautiful culminates with King’s multiple-award winning 1971 album Tapestry, hitting the sweet spot between jukebox joy, musical nostalgia, and emotional depth.

Shad Hanley as Gerry Goffin, Olivia Palmer as Carole King

Shad Hanley as Gerry Goffin, Luke Hawkins s Barry Mann,
Harley Seger as Cynthia Weil, Olivia Palmer as Carole King

photos by Robert Pascucci

Shad Hanley as Gerry Goffin, Olivia Palmer as Carole King, Luke Hawkins
as Barry Mann, Harley Seger as Cynthia Weil, and Jim Sorensen as Don Kirshner

Beautiful
Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston
Robinson Theater, 617 Lexington St. in Waltham, MA
ends on June 22, 2025
for tickets, call 781.891.5600 or visit Reagle Music Theatre

for more shows, visit Theatre in Boston