‘Beautiful’ brings the tunes of Carole King to Walnut Street

Currently on the stage at the Walnut Street Theatre, ‘Beautiful – The Carole King Musical’ will showcase the six decades of work (and life) surrounding the popular singer/songwriter, Carole King. 

Played by Sara Sheperd (who will be making her WST debut in the role), the show based on the book by Douglas McGrath made its Broadway debut in 2014. A few years ago, the play came to Philly to open at the Academy of Music, but it’s back in the City of Brotherly Love this year until next month on Walnut Street. 

And who exactly is the songstress? 

With a career spanning over six decades, Carole King left an indelible mark on the music industry. As a release notes, from her early days as a songwriter composing chart-topping hits for artists like The Shirelles and The Drifters, to her groundbreaking solo album “Tapestry,” which is one of the best-selling albums of all time, King remains one of the most prolific musicians of recent times. 

Her “unique blend of heartfelt lyrics and unforgettable melodies” has earned her numerous accolades, including four Grammy Awards, inductions into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.

Throughout ‘Beautiful,’ audiences will see King’s relationship with husband and songwriter Gerry Goffin, her comradery and fun competition with song-writing duo Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, and more delving into the creative’s personal, as well as professional life. 

The show, which will play at the theatre company until May 5 — closing out the season — is helmed by Director/Choreographer Richard Stafford, who most recently had his work shown on the same stage in the company’s production of ‘Rocky: The Musical.’ 

Another Walnut veteran, Chris Burcheri, will be taking lead on music and vocal direction. Audiences have seen Burcheri’s work most recently in ‘Rocky’ as well, plus Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and ‘Elvis – A Musical Revolution.’ 

For tickets and more information on ‘Beautiful–The Carole King Musical’ call 215-574-3550. Tickets are also available online 24/7 by visiting WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.com.