Beautiful: the Carole King Musical

Director: Billy Ensley
Choreographer: Lisa Blanton
Musical Director: Ellen Robison

Auditions

Basics:

Cast size: Medium, approximately 26

Cast Type: Ensemble Cast, Featured roles, Showcases singers and dancers

Dance requirement: Standard (Musical Staging)

 

We are looking for:

• A diverse cast of adults ages 18 and up; Leading and ensemble roles.​

• Please bear in mind that some of the characters being portrayed are people who are still alive, and therefore need to be represented as closely to the person as possible.​

• Adults that sing, dance, and act.

• There are a few roles that do not require any singing or dancing. Please specify on your audition form if you are auditioning for a non-singing/dancing role. If you are auditioning for a non-singing/dancing role, please come prepared to read from the script.​

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Audition Info:

• Prepare 16 bars of music to sing - please bring sheet music - no CD accompaniment or a-cappella singing.​

• If auditioning for the role of Carole King, please come prepared to play piano if you are able to. It is not a requirement to audition for this role.​

• Please come prepared to dance and wear closed-toed shoes.​

• Some actors may be asked to read from a portion of the script.​

• Generally, rehearsals will be Sunday-Thursday evenings (6:30pm-9:30pm) and some Sundays afternoons (2:00pm-5:00pm).​

• All actors must be available for all performances.

Character Breakdown

Carole King (Female)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stage age: 25-40
Vocal range: F3-F5 (Mezzo-Soprano)
Some piano skills are preferred but not essential. Non-dancing role.
An ordinary girl who did extraordinary things. An American songwriter/performer Carole has been active from the 1960’s and regarded as the most successful female songwriter of the latter half of the 20th century. Throughout the show we see her transform from a shy teenager into the confident woman who takes the plunge into becoming one of the most successful female singers of all time. This is a mammoth role that requires an incredibly dedicated and talented actress and vocalist. Actresses auditioning for this role will have to be comfortable with leading the cast vocally and performing a stage kiss.

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Gerry Goffin (Male)
Stage age: 25-40
Vocal range: C3 – G4 (Tenor)

Strong singing/acting role. Non-dancing role.
Carole King’s first husband and song writing partner, writing lyrics to many of her early hits, such as Some Kind of Wonderful, Take Good Care Of My Baby and many others.
 

Cynthia Weil (Female)
Stage age: 25-40
Vocal range: F3-E5 (Mezzo-Soprano)
Strong singing/acting role. Some movement skills required.
A lyricist working at the Brill Building, she and her song writing partner Barry Mann form a friendly rivalry with Carole and Gerry. She becomes one of Carole’s best friends and closest confidants.

Barry Mann (Male)
Stage age: 25-40
Vocal range: C3-A4 (Tenor)
Strong singer and good comedic timing. Some piano/guitar skills are preferred but not
essential.
A song writer working at the Brill building. Barry is full of energy, cheeky and a bit of a flirt. He falls quite in love with his lyricist Cynthia Weil and spends some time convincing her to marry him.
 

Don Kirschner (Male)
Stage age: 35 – 55
Vocal range: A2 – C4 (Baritone/Bass)
This role is mostly non-singing, it does not require a strong singer, but you will need to be able to carry a tune. Non dancing role.
A successful record producer and music Publisher working at the Brill Building. He originally hires Carole, Gerry and Cynthia and helps foster the friendly rivalry between the teams of Goffin/King and Mann/Weil.
Songs sung in the show – You’ve Got A Friend.

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Featured Ensemble roles
* Beautiful has a large diverse ensemble and many featured ensemble roles. All featured ensemble roles will also be used in all large ensemble numbers and many of the ensemble members will play more than one role.

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The Drifters

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Stage age: Mid 20s
Vocal ranges: Tenor, Baritone, Baritone, Bass
A vocal group comprised of 4 members. The Drifters sang many of Carole’s and Gerry’s
early hits. Songs sung in the show – Some Kind Of Wonderful, Up On The Roof, On Broadway, You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling

 

The Shirelles

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Stage age: Mid 20s
Vocal ranges: Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto
A female vocal group comprised of 4 members. The Shirelles sang many of Carole’s and Gerry’s early hits.
Songs sung in the show – Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow

 

The Righteous Brothers

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Stage age: Mid 20s
Vocal ranges: Tenor, Bass
A male vocal duo. They sing the song that gives Barry and Cynthia their first number 1. Songs sung in the show – You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling

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Little Eva

 

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Stage age: Early 20s
Vocal range: Mezzo-Soprano
A Babysitter for Carole and Gerry who performs one of Carole’s and Gerry’s hits. Songs sung in the show – The Locomotion

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Janelle Woods
Stage age: Mid 20s
Vocal range: Alto
A fictional singer that performs one of Carole’s and Gerry’s hits. She and Gerry begin having an affair.
Songs sung in the show – One Fine Day

 

Marilyn Wald
Stage age: Late 20s
Vocal range: Alto
A fictional performer who Gerry starts an affair with behind Carole’s back. Songs sung in the show – Pleasant Valley Sunday

Uptown Singer
Stage age: Mid 20s
Vocal range: Alto
A performer at The Bitter End. Songs sung in the show – Uptown
 

Other featured roles/Ensemble
Stage age: varied
Vocal range: varied
Beautiful has many other roles for acting characters, small solos and featured harmonists. Many of these roles will be cast from the Ensemble including; Genie Klein, Betty, Neil Sedaka, Nick, Lucille and Lou Adler.