Riverside Center for the Performing Arts’ production of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical is live theater at its finest. Scenic Designer Frank Foster keeps the stage fairly simple, with large set pieces wheeled on and offstage when necessary. The real awe aspect of the set comes from the lighting (designed by Weston Corey), which jumps to life in framed bulbs during the song-and-dance numbers, an effect reminiscent of the original jukebox. Costume Designer Laiah Westlyn uses her wardrobe choices not only to show off stylish looks from the 1960s and ’70s but also to highlight Carole’s personal evolution from modest and dowdy to confident and polished. However, the real technical star of the show is the live music. This is usually the case for Riverside Center, as they’re well-known for their spectacular band and orchestra, but it’s particularly true in this production, where hit songs from the ’60s and ’70s reign supreme. Sound Designer and Engineer Cheyenne Tenda ensures that the music doesn’t overwhelm the vocals and dialogue, and everything comes together seamlessly. Ashlee Waldbaur as Carole King in ‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.’ Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi. Beautiful showcases the early life and career of celebrated singer/songwriter and composer Carole King, played with spunk and verve by Ashlee Waldbaur. The year is 1958 and Carole is a cheerful, ambitious 16-year-old from Brooklyn who sets out to sell one of her songs to Music Publisher Don Kirshner, played by Andy Braden. He purchases her song “It Might As Well Rain Until September,” and she goes on to meet Gerry Goffin (Brian Nabors), an aspiring lyricist. The two team up to write music together and fall in love in the process. They gain success writing hit songs for musical acts, such as “Some Kind of Wonderful” performed by The Drifters. When Carole becomes pregnant, the pair get married, and life gets busy. Though not as prolific as before, they still produce hit songs such as “Take Good Care of My Baby” and “The Locomotion.” Carole and Gerry find friends in fellow songwriting team Cynthia Weil (Sarah Mae Anderson) and Barry Mann (Matt Beary), and begin a friendly competition that spans decades and produces a full catalog of memorable hits between the foursome. Cynthia and Barry’s hits include “On Broadway” and “You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feeling.” As the years go by, both couples face their own relationship hurdles, but Carole and Gerry face especially hard times. Gerry wants to enjoy their success and live the high life in New York City, while Carole is more domestic and is happy to just raise their children in the suburbs. Tension mounts as Gerry grows more restless, inspiring a hurt and confused Carole to write “One Fine Day,” which is a particularly moving number. After emotional turmoil and several infidelities on Gerry’s part, Carole finds the courage to leave the relationship in the powerful number “It’s Too Late.” As Carole matures, she realizes that she’s written her songs for her voice, but she’s notoriously shy and unsure of her stage presence, insisting, “I’m just a regular person. Who wants to see a regular person sing?” Can Carole maintain a successful career on her own, without her music partner? She ventures out to do just that with her debut album Tapestry, and the rest is musical history. Beautiful is full of spectacular performances, especially from artists of the day The Drifters (TJ Pursley, Don Seward, Carl Williams, and Anthony Williams) and The Shirelles (Kadejah One, Aniyah Lee, Tyandria Jaaber, and Khanner Milan). The group numbers are energetic and fun, with lively, cohesive group choreography. Kadejah is particularly memorable as Lucille and showcases powerhouse vocals. The cast is strong and works well together. Kathy Halenda gets a lot of laughs as Genie, Carole’s well-meaning-if-overbearing mother, and Matt Beary gets laughs as well with his character’s hypochondriac tendencies. The plotline is funny and moving, but it’s the music that will stay with you long afterward, especially Waldbaur’s uplifting rendition of “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” Scene from ‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.’ Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi. I had a great time at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts’ production of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, and I highly recommend it for a great night of entertainment! Running Time: Two and a half hours, including one 15-minute intermission. Beautiful: The Carole King Musical plays through November 10, 2024, at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, 95 Riverside Parkway, Fredericksburg, VA. Tickets ($55–$82) are available online or through the box office 540-370-4300, open from 10 am to 6 pm, Mon.-Wed.; 10 am to 7:30 pm, Thu.-Fri; 12 pm to 7:30 pm, Sat.; 12 pm to 3 pm, Sun. Discounts are available for groups (for details click here). Adult Dinner & Show – $82 (plus applicable taxes) Seniors (65+) Dinner & Show – $77 (plus applicable taxes) Children (3-17) Dinner & Show – $70 (plus applicable taxes) Adult Show Only – $65 Seniors (65+) Show Only – $60 Children (3-17) Show Only – $55 There will be a $5.00 online processing fee added per ticket. Cast, creative, and crew credits for Beautiful: The Carole King Musical are online here. COVID Safety: Patrons are not required to be masked in the facility; but if patrons want to wear a mask, they are welcome to. Beautiful: The Carole King Musical Book by Douglas McGrath Words and Music by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil Music by Arrangement with Sony/ATV Publishing Orchestrations, Vocal and Incidental Music Arrangements by Steve Sidwell Additional Music Arrangements by Jason Howland