“There’s so many dreams I’ve yet to find…” sings Carole King at her piano, as played by Sarah Bockel, in “So Far Away,” a powerful opening number that feels like an intimate concert. Bockel captures the nuances of King’s voice from her start in Brooklyn to her finish at Carnegie Hall. The musical returns to San Francisco, where it first premiered at the Curran Theatre in 2013. If only life worked like that, as Bockel’s King sings, “it would be so fine to see your face at my door…” and it takes a really strong songwriter to capture so much in one song. It’s the vulnerability through which she shares her life that allows her to speak for so many through her voice.
We then cut to King’s feisty no nonsense mother, Genie Klein, played by Suzanne Grodner. She’s equal parts realistic and supportive of her daughter’s dreams. She encourages her daughter’s musical journey throughout every stage, and is an empowering force behind King. At age 16, King is a freshman in college, and she manages to sell her first song to Don Kirshner (James Clow), who eventually signs her to his label as a primary songwriter. He becomes an endearing mentor and father figure. She meets and falls for her husband, Gerry Goffin (Dylan S. Wallach), and, despite an unplanned pregnancy and financial strain, as a songwriting duo, they manage to write pop hit after pop hit, cementing them in music history.
Songs such as “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” and “Some Kind of Wonderful” are shown taking flight from King/Goffin’s apartment to their famous performances by huge acts such as The Shirelles and The Drifters. The transitions are done so seamlessly; the entire musical is very smooth, with a lovely pace. Derek McLane’s set is gorgeous, with ground to ceiling beams, steel overlays of instruments in the background, lights that shine thru the gaps, and a bustling songwriting studio that quickly transforms settings as needed. The show also boasts lovely sound work and incredible live musicians. Everything really fits, which doesn’t always happen.
Alison Whitehurst and Jacob Heimer (5/28-6/1) play Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, a competitive songwriting duo working alongside King/Goffin, responsible for hits such as “On Broadway” and “He’s Sure the Boy I Love.” They’re an adorable duo: Weil, a chic modern woman, and Barry, a neurotic hypochondriac. Where Cynthia has reservations, Barry has certainty, making a perfect balance. Whitehurst and Heimer completely embody the roles, and often steal the show with their strong presence.
A quirky friendship forms, especially between Weil and King. Although both women own the same job title and level of independence, King has a more traditional outlook than Weil. Where most media depictions would vilify one or the other, it’s beautiful to see two women depicted making their own choices and still regarding each other with mutual respect.
As everything seems to fall apart, several empowering moments lead King to truly find herself and her voice. In the aftermath of the rubble emerges King as not just half a songwriting duo, but as a solo writer and, ultimately, a singer. A selection of songs from her award-winning album Tapestry finishes off this stunning musical about an incredible artist. Where others find room for discontent, King shines a light into the voids, and glows.
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical runs now thru June 9 at the SHN Golden Gate Theatre. For more information and tickets please visit https://www.shnsf.com
