By DAN ARMONAITIS
On a visit to New York in 2014, Arkansas native Isaiah Bailey had the opportunity to see a Broadway production of “Beautiful — The Carole King Musical.”
As a young man still in his early 20s then, Bailey walked into the theater with only limited knowledge of King’s immense legacy. Basically, he remembered King from her brief guest appearance on a “VH1 Divas” concert — starring Celine Dion, Gloria Estefan, Aretha Franklin, Shania Twain and Mariah Carey — that he’d watched on video some time before.
“I was on a tight budget and that was the only show that I could get a (discount) ‘rush’ ticket for,” Bailey recalled. “I was like, ‘OK, I really don’t know anything about Carole King, but I’m going to go see it.’ Well, I left that theater in awe of what I’d just seen and in awe of her story. I felt so changed and just so uplifted.”
Five years later, Bailey is now an ensemble cast member for the national touring production of “Beautiful,” which will make a stop at the Peace Center in Greenville for eight performances beginning Tuesday, Dec. 31 and running through Sunday, Jan. 5.
If the show had such a positive effect on a newbie to King’s music such as Bailey, imagine how inspiring and enjoyable it’s sure to be for longtime fans of the legendary singer-songwriter.
“Beautiful — The Carole King Musical” tells the true story of King’s remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo artists in popular music history.
Left to right, Kennedy Caughell (“Carole King”), Kathryn Boswell (“Cynthia Weil”), James Michael Lambert (“Barry Mann”) and James D. Gish (“Gerry Goffin”). [Photo: Joan Marcus]
The show features such iconic Goffin/King compositions as “Take Good Care of My Baby,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” “Up on the Roof,” “The Locomotion,” “One Fine Day,” “Chains,” “Pleasant Valley Sunday” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” as well as such classics as “So Far Away,” “It’s Too Late,” “You’ve Got a Friend,” “Beautiful” and “I Feel the Earth Move” from King’s landmark 1971 solo album, “Tapestry.”
“I’ve heard people say this was music that got them through tough times and bad breakups and stuff like that,” Bailey said. “Carole King was able to express what people were feeling and also just kind of get people away from their troubles a little bit by taking them on a musical journey that’s encouraging.
“Her music is so uplifting, and it has a message of life and hope that I think is the reason why people connect with it so well.”
While King is obviously the primary focus of the show, “Beautiful” also showcases the talent of some of the legendary artists who recorded her songs. There are appearances by actors and actresses portraying The Drifters, The Shirelles and Little Eva, for instance. And the Weil/Mann songwriting team is well represented through the inclusion of such classics as “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” “Walking in the Rain,” “We Gotta Get out of This Place” and “Uptown.”
Left to right, Torrey Linder, Edwin Bates, Isaiah Bailey and Ben Toomer as “The Drifters.” [Photo: Joan Marcus]
“Even though I didn’t grow up listening to this music, I can see how it’s still relevant today,” said Bailey, who plays one of The Drifters. “It’s just a timeless soundtrack. All of this music is just so cool.”
“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” has a book by Tony Award- and Academy Award-nominated writer Douglas McGrath, direction by Marc Bruni, choreography by Josh Prince, and took home two 2014 Tony Awards and a 2015 Grammy Award.
“For a lot of our audience members, this is the first musical that they’ve ever seen, and I think it’s a great introduction to musicals,” Bailey said. “If you love the music of Carole King, you’re going to love this musical because it’s just amazing.”
And Bailey, who is also a contemporary gospel singer and worship leader, said musicians, in particular, will find a lot to appreciate in the show.
“Carole King was not a complacent artist or writer,” Bailey said. “She was always trying to figure out ways to grow in her craft, and I was so inspired by that. I think people will leave the theater so inspired by this beautiful story. ‘Beautiful’ is the perfect title because it truly is beautiful.”