I’m thrilled to announce, in what appears to be a business casual way, that I’m Directing & Music Directing Beautiful: The Carole King Musical in the McCreary Theatre at The Green Room. Auditions are in June. The show opens the season in September.
As described by MTI, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical is the inspiring true story of Carole King’s journey from teenage songwriter to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Before she was hit-maker Carole King — she was Carole Klein, a spunky, young songwriter from Brooklyn with a unique voice. From the chart-topping hits she wrote for the biggest acts in music to her own life-changing, trailblazing success with Tapestry, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical takes you back to where it all began — and takes you on the ride of a lifetime.
Beautiful is the inspiring tale about a girl who became King with a stirring book by the late Oscar and Tony-nominated Douglas McGrath and the music and lyrics of icons Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Barry Mann, and Cynthia Weil. Featuring such unforgettable classics as “You’ve Got a Friend”, “One Fine Day”, “So Far Away”, “Take Good Care of My Baby”, “Up on the Roof”, “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling”, “Will You Love Me Tomorrow”, and “Natural Woman”, this Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical phenomenon is filled with the songs you remember and a story you’ll never forget.
We’ve got an amazing creative team that I’m very excited to work with. For more information, check out the info and links below, including character descriptions and what to expect at auditions.
— Jeff Hartman, Director & Music Director
September 1-17 @greenrm_theatre #beautifulthecarolekingmusical
AUDITIONS
Auditions for Beautiful: The Carole King Musical will be held at The Green Room on Sunday, June 11 from 7 pm & Monday, June 12 from 7 pm, with possible callbacks on Tuesday, June 13 from 7 pm. Please note that not every character will require a callback. Not receiving a callback does not necessarily mean you will not be cast, nor does receiving a callback guarantee you will be cast.
We intend to offer roles by Thursday, June 15 ahead of Father’s Day weekend. If you are not called, you were not cast.
Auditions will include singing and dancing. Please dress comfortably for your dance audition.
Please prepare 32 bars; preferably from (but not limited to) Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.
Suggested (but not limited to) 32-bar selections from Beautiful: The Carole King Musical can be found at https://www.dropbox.com/sh/s4n28fvbbg1lkyy/AADMw0JX-Lf9BoCcHayuwCL_a?dl=0
*Any can be used for any character
Carole – You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman
Gerry – Take Good Care of My Baby
Cynthia – Happy Days
Barry – We Gotta Get Out of This Place
Donny or Genie – You’ve Got a Friend
Marilyn or Betty – Pleasant Valley Sunday
Drifter – On Broadway
Lucille – Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow
Janelle – One Fine Day
Little Eva – The Locomotion
Shirelle (“Uptown Girl”) – Uptown
Ensemble (Male) – You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling
Ensemble (Female) – I Feel the Earth Move
An accompanist will be provided. Do not bring your own accompanist. Please do not accompany yourself. Please bring any sheet music not listed above with you. *The actors only simulate playing instruments, so no demonstration of that sort of skill is necessary.
The Green Room
Old Post Office Playhouse
10 South Main Avenue
Newton, NC 28658
828-464-6583
thegreenroomtheatre.org
CREATIVE TEAM
*Educational assistant directing and/or assistant music directing opportunities available.
Jeff Hartman… Director & Music Director
Gina Duckworth… Choreography
Jamie Pereira… Stage Manager
Rachael & Matt Morris… Technical Directors
John David Brown III… Costumes
Carol Sigmon… Lighting Designer
Karen McGuire… Props
Coble Hartman… Sound Engineer
REHEARSALS
Monday-Thursday from 7 pm to 9 pm beginning Monday, June 19
*Rehearsals may run longer and/or additional dates may be added only if necessary
TECH
(Call is 1 hour before)
Sunday, August 27, 2 pm – Sitzprobe
Sunday, August 27, 7 pm – Cue to Cue
Monday, August 28, 7 pm – Dress Tech
Tuesday. August 29, 7 pm – Dress Tech
Wednesday, August 30, 7 pm – Dress Tech
Thursday, August 31, 7 pm – Dress Tech
PERFORMANCES
(Call is 1 hour before)
Friday, September 1, 7:30 pm
Saturday, September 2, 7:30 pm
Sunday, September 3, 3 pm
Friday, September 8, 7:30 pm
Saturday, September 9, 7:30 pm
Sunday, September 10, 3 pm
Friday, September 15, 7:30 pm
Saturday, September 16, 7:30 pm
Sunday, September 17, 3 pm followed by Strike
*Producers Night: TBD
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
*Casting is relative. Don’t be afraid to audition against what’s suggested. It may give the creative team new ideas and a different perspective. Show us what ya got! Play Age is how the character will be perceived and not necessarily the age of the actor.
PRINCIPAL
Carole (Klein) King
An aspiring singer/songwriter. A unique, appealing, funny, and vulnerable girl from a Jewish family in Brooklyn. Talented, good-natured, unassuming, and often the peacemaker in difficult situations. A reluctant star with no pretense and a passion for music.
Play Age: Young Adult & Adult / Teens to 30’s
Part Size: Lead
Vocal Range: Strong Belt / E5
Dialect: Brooklyn
Non-Dancing Role
*Dynamic acting range; No piano skills necessary; Fundamental rhythmic skills a plus; A hint of Carole’s iconic vocal style
Songs: So Far Away, It Might As Well Rain Until September, Some Kind Of Wonderful, Take Good Care Of My Baby, Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow, One Fine Day Reprise, Chains, Will You Still Love Me Reprise, It’s Too Late, You’ve Got A Friend, Tapestry, You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman, Beautiful, I Feel the Earth Move
Gerry Goffin
Carole’s boyfriend, songwriting partner, and eventual husband. Innately sympathetic, wounded, and tortured. An ambitious artist always striving for more.
Play Age: Teens to 30’s
Part Size: Supporting
Vocal Range: A4
Dialect: Brooklyn
Non-Dancing Role
Songs: Some Kind Of Wonderful, Take Good Care Of My Baby, Up On The Roof, Pleasant Valley Sunday, I Feel the Earth Move
Cynthia Weil
A songwriter who becomes romantically involved with Barry. Carole’s best friend. She is sophisticated, smart & chic with a quick wit. Although self-confident and sarcastic, she is also extremely likable.
Play Age: 20’s to 30’s
Part Size: Supporting
Vocal Range: E5
Non-Dancing Role
Songs: Happy Days, He’s Sure the Boy I Love, Walking In the Rain, You’ve Got A Friend, I Feel the Earth Move
Barry Mann
A songwriter who becomes romantically involved with Cynthia. He is good-natured, appealing & neurotic. Ambitious, but likable.
Play Age: 20’s to 30’s
Part Size: Supporting
Vocal Range: A4
Dialect: Jersey
Non-Dancing Role
Songs: I Go Ape, Who Put the Bomp, He’s Sure the Boy I Love, You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling, Walking In the Rain, We Gotta Get Out Of This Place, You’ve Got A Friend, I Feel the Earth Move
Don “Donny” Kirshner
An influential music publisher and producer. He is a fast-talking, energetic force of nature. Powerful, direct & sometimes intimidating, but he has a real affinity for his writers and artists. A hitmaker.
Play Age: 40’s to 60’s
Part Size: Supporting
Vocal Range: C#4
Non-Dancing Role
Songs: You’ve Got A Friend, I Feel the Earth Move
Genie Klein
Carole’s Jewish mother. Once an aspiring playwright, she has been broken down by life & her husband’s infidelity. Protective of Carole and unforgiving of her husband’s mistakes.
Play Age: 40’s to 60’s
Part Size: Supporting
Vocal Range: Alto
Dialect: Brooklyn
Non-Dancing Role
Song: I Feel the Earth Move
*This is traditionally a non-singing role but contributes vocally to the encore.
FEATURED ENSEMBLE
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical has the most involved, Featured Ensemble roles I’ve ever seen. Before you circle “No” at “Would you accept any role?”—consider what it means to be part of this ensemble. This isn’t your average ensemble. There are many parts for good actors and singers. Circle “Yes!” (But only if you mean it!)
Betty
Carole’s childhood friend.
Play Age: Teen
Part Size: Featured
Vocal Range: Alto
Dancing: Mover
Songs: Chains
Neil Sedaka / Righteous Brother (Bobby Hatfield) / Lou Adler
Singer-Songwriter / Righteous Brother / Record Producer
Age: 18 & Up
Part Size: Featured
Vocal Range: Tenor
Dancing: Mover
Songs: Oh! Carol, Yakety Yak, Be Bop a Lula, My Little Darlin’ Carole, You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling, Chains
Dick Clark / Murray Kaufman / Gene Vincent (Guy) / Righteous Brother (Bill Medley) / Nick
American Bandstand Host / Splish Splash Writer / Be Bop a Lula Writer / Righteous Brother / A composite of Carole’s second husband Charles Larkey and James Taylor
Age: 18 & Up
Part Size: Featured
Vocal Range: Baritone
Dancing: Mover
Songs: Splish Splash, Be Bop a Lula, My Little Darlin’ Carole, You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling, Chains, It’s Too Late
Connie Francis / “Buxom Blonde” / Marilyn Wald
Recording Artist / Gerry’s Girlfriend / A singer based on Marilyn Powell, the first girl singer to record a cover of a Beatles track when only 15 years of age.
Age: 18 & Up
Part Size: Featured
Vocal Range: C5
Dancing: Mover
Songs: Stupid Cupid, Chains, Pleasant Valley Sunday
The Shirelles as a historical mashup of The Chiffons, The Crystals, and The Cookies.
An African American female singing group comprising four members. The Shirelles sang many of Carole’s and Gerry’s early hits. The Shirelles formed in Passaic, New Jersey in 1957. They consisted of schoolmates Shirley Owens, Doris Coley, Addie “Micki” Harris, and Beverly Lee.
*The Chiffons had three members and sang One Fine Day. They consisted of Judy Craig, Patricia Bennett, and Barbara Lee.
*The Crystals had five members and sang Uptown. They consisted of Barbara Alston, Mary Thomas, Dolores “Dee Dee” Kenniebrew, Myrna Giraud, and Patricia “Patsy” Wright.
*The Cookies originally consisted of Dorothy Jones, Darlene McCrea, and Beulah Robertson and sang backup for Little Eva on Locomotion. Earl-Jean Reavis (McCrea) and Margaret Ross replaced Darlene and Beulah.
“Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” written by husband-wife songwriting team Gerry Goffin and Carole King; the song went on to become the first Billboard number-one hit by an African-American girl group, possibly the first by any girl group. They have been credited with launching the girl group genre, with much of their music reflecting the genre’s essence. Their acceptance by both white and black audiences, predating that of the Motown acts, has been noted as reflecting the early success of the Civil Rights Movement. They have received numerous honors, including the Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation, as well as being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996 and named one of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time by Rolling Stone in 2004.
Lucille / Shirley Owens
Don Kirschner’s Secretary / Lead Singer of The Shirelles
Age: 16 & Up
Vocal Range: Alto
Dancing: Mover
Songs: *Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow – Lead Singer, The Locomotion, One Fine Day
Janelle Woods / Shirelle (Doris Coley) / Judy Craig / Carla Gardner
Janelle is based on Earl-Jean Reavis of The Cookies who had an affair and child with Gerry while married to Carole / Occasional Lead Singer of The Shirelles / Janelle also represents Judy Craig, Lead Singer of The Chiffons (One Fine Day) / Represents Carl Gardner, Lead Singer of The Coasters (Poison Ivy)
Age: 18 & Up
Vocal Range: D5
Dancing: Mover
Songs: *One Fine Day – Lead Singer, Poison Ivy, Will You Love Me Tomorrow, The Locomotion
Little Eva / Shirelle (Addie “Micki” Harris) / Frankie Lymon
A babysitter for Carole & Gerry performs one of Carole’s and Gerry’s hits / Shirelle / Represents Frankie Lymon of The Teenagers (Why Do Fools Fall in Love)
Age: 14 & Up
Vocal Range: E5
Dancing: Mover
Songs: *The Locomotion – Lead Singer, Why Do Fools Fall in Love, Will You Love Me Tomorrow, One Fine Day
“Uptown Girl” Barbara Alston / Shirelle (Beverly Lee)
From The Crystals; Known for her shyness and stage fright / Shirelle
Age: 14 & Up
Vocal Range: D5
Dancing: Mover
Songs: *Uptown – Lead Singer, Why Do Fools Fall in Love, Will You Love Me Tomorrow, The Locomotion
*Other featured solos/songs by the same actors include 1650 Medley, You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling, Pleasant Valley Sunday, (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, I Feel the Earth MoveOne Fine Day
The Drifters
An African American male singing group comprising four members. The Drifters sang many of Carole’s, Gerry’s, Cynthia’s, and Barry’s early hits. Members drifted in and out and many of these formed other groups of Drifters as well. Several groups of Drifters can trace roots back to the original groups but contain few if any, original members.
Songs: Some Kind of Wonderful, Up on the Roof, On Broadway, The Locomotion
Age: Any
Part Size: Featured
Vocal Range: A4 (Belt) / Eb5 (Falsetto)
Dancing: Mover
Songs: Some Kind of Wonderful, Up on the Roof, On Broadway, The Locomotion
Rudy Lewis (Lead Drifter)
Age: Any
Part Size: Featured
Vocal Range: A4 (Belt) / Eb5 (Falsetto)
Dancing: Mover
Songs: (May Vary) *Some Kind of Wonderful – Lead Singer, *Up on the Roof – Lead Singer, *On Broadway – Lead Singer, The Locomotion
Ben E. King / Maurice Williams
Drifter / Lead Singer of The Gladiolas (Little Darlin’)
Age: Any
Part Size: Featured
Vocal Range: A4 (Belt) / Eb5 (Falsetto)
Dancing: Mover
Songs: (May Vary) *There Goes My Baby – Lead Singer, *Little Darlin’ – Lead Singer, Some Kind of Wonderful, Up on the Roof, On Broadway, The Locomotion
Billy Mitchell / Drifter / Musician
The Clovers Lead Singer (Love Potion #9) / Drifter / Bitter End Band
Age: Any
Part Size: Featured
Vocal Range: A4 (Belt) / Eb5 (Falsetto)
Dancing: Mover
Songs: (May Vary) *Love Potion #9 – Lead Singer, Some Kind of Wonderful, Up on the Roof, On Broadway, The Locomotion
Carl Gardner / Drifter / Studio Musician & Singer
The Coasters Lead Singer (Yakety Yak) / Drifter / Studio Musician & Singer (Chains)
Age: Any
Part Size: Featured
Vocal Range: A4 (Belt) / Eb5 (Falsetto)
Dancing: Mover
Songs: (May Vary) *Yakety Yak – Lead Singer, Some Kind of Wonderful, Up on the Roof, On Broadway, The Locomotion
*Other featured solos/songs by the same actors include 1650 Medley, Love Potion #9, Yakety Yak, There Goes My Baby, Little Darlin’, My Little Darlin’ Carole, You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling, Chains, Pleasant Valley Sunday, I Feel the Earth Move.
*Although the actors who portray The Drifters also appear throughout the show in many other roles/songs, there has never been a better, singular reason to audition for any musical than for the opportunity to sing Steve Sidwell’s epic arrangement of “On Broadway,” written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, made famous by The Drifters and again, later, by George Benson. It’s incredible.
GENERAL ENSEMBLE INFO
Except for the Principals, the Ensemble play the rest of the characters. All will be required to sing, move, and simulate playing instruments. More or less doubling and some prerecording may occur pending auditions/casting.
Age: 16 & Up (Unless Otherwise Indicated)
Vocal Range: SATB
Dancing: Movers
Songs: 1650 Medley, You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling, Chains, Pleasant Valley Sunday, (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, Beautiful, I Feel the Earth Move