There are few singers in music history more beloved or universally respected than Carole King. Her career has spanned many decades and brought so much great music into the world. It’s only fitting that her life and career be depicted on stage in a musical that’s appropriately titled Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Since premiering in San Francisco in 2013, Beautiful has become a fan favorite with stints on Broadway, London’s West End, and tours across the United States. The show received seven Tony nominations, including two wins, while the show’s album won a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album. More importantly, Beautiful has managed to bring King’s story to life, sharing with audiences the backstory of her incredible journey from just another humble songwriter into the international star she became.

Familiar Tunes

One thing that any fan of Carole King’s music will appreciate about Beautiful is that most of the music in the show is from King’s personal library. In fact, the show begins with one of her biggest hits, “So Far Away.” From there, the hits just keep on coming, including the title song, which is the penultimate musical number in the performance. While not every song in the musical is a Carole King original, it’s amazing how many of her own songs have been incorporated into the telling of her story. The show is almost like seeing King perform in concert but with the added benefit of a truly beautiful narrative accompanying it.

Music Mirroring Life

Anyone who knows Carole King solely for her music will be pleasantly surprised to see how her music syncs up with her life and career. The show depicts King experiencing love, success, and heartbreak, all things that most audiences can connect to. The show doesn’t try to be edgy or controversial. Instead, it’s heartwarming and uplifting without being too sentimental. In the end, Beautiful is a wonderful coming-of-age story about one of the most important and influential women in music history, told primarily through songs that she wrote herself.