About the work
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical is a jukebox musical with a book by Douglas McGrath, premiered on Broadway in 2014. Based on the songbook of Carole King as well as Gerry Goffin, Barry Mann, and Cynthia Weil, it tells King's rise from teenage songwriter to celebrated solo artist.
Plot
The story follows the young Carole King from Brooklyn, who begins writing hits as a teenager in the legendary Brill Building. With her husband and lyric partner Gerry Goffin she scores one success after another, while their friendly rivals Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil deliver classics of their own. When King's marriage falls apart, she finds her own voice and becomes a solo artist with the album Tapestry—a story of self-discovery, friendship, and artistic emancipation.
Cultural significance
Beautiful celebrates one of the most influential songwriters of the twentieth century and gathers classics such as You've Got a Friend, (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, and Will You Love Me Tomorrow. The work became an international audience success and won Tony and Grammy Awards. As a portrait of a woman who emerges from behind others' hits to become her own artist, it struck a chord and ranks among the most successful biographical musicals of its time.