“BEAUTIFUL THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL” AUDITIONS

Auditions: Sunday, November 17th and Monday, November 18th from 600-9:00pm with possible callbacks on callbacks Tuesday, November 19th at The Keeton.

The Keeton Theatre, 108 Donelson Pike Nashville 37214.

Please bring 32 bars of a song in the style of the show or a 1960s folk/pop song (sheet music or tracks, no a cappella). Be prepared to learn a dance combination and do cold readings from the script. Bring a headshot and resume if you have them. This is a volunteer opportunity. *People auditioning for Carole or Barry may be asked to play piano/guitar at callbacks.

All roles are open, and we will need a diverse cast for this show. Please note that these roles are based on real-life people.

Performance Dates: Shows run February 7th - 23rd for 11 performances. Rehearsal will begin around December 10th, 2024.

If you have any questions, please contact Donna Driver at donnadriver68@gmail.com.

SYNOPSIS

Beautiful the Carole King Musical tells the story of Carole King’s life and career from pitching her first song as a teenager to record producer Don Kirshner to the release of her famous solo album Tapestry in 1971 at 30 years old. It also tells of her strained relationship with her husband and co-songwriter Gerry Goffin as he struggles with depression and infidelity, her close friendship and rivalry with songwriting team Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, and features many of their amazing songs that were recorded by artists such as The Drifters, The Shirelles, The Righteous Brothers, and so on. It is a musical jampacked with hits from the 1960s.

Book by Douglas McGrath. Words and Music by Gerry Goffin & Carole King, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil.

All roles are open, and we will need a diverse cast for this show. Please note that these roles are based on real-life people. This is a volunteer opportunity.

I highly encourage actresses auditioning for Carole King to listen to some of Carole’s recordings to learn her singing style. To hear songs from the musical: The Carole King Musical (OBC Recording) - 1. Overture

Principle Characters

CAROLE KING

(18+ to play ages 16-30)

An aspiring singer/songwriter. A unique, appealing, funny and vulnerable girl from a Jewish family in Brooklyn. Talented, good natured, unassuming and often the peace maker in difficult situations. A reluctant star with no pretense and a passion for music. Seeking an exceptional actress with a powerful, distinctive voice. Ability to play piano preferred. Mezzo-soprano.

GERRY GOFFIN
(18+ to play ages 18-32)

Carole’s boyfriend, songwriting partner and eventual husband. He is smoldering, dark & handsome with a rebel vibe. An ambitious artist always striving for more while suffering from increasing manic depression. Seeking a strong actor who sings well. Baritone/tenor.

CYNTHIA WEIL
(18+ to play ages 18-32)

A songwriter who becomes romantically involved with composer Barry Mann. Carole’s best friend. She is sophisticated, smart & chic with a quick wit. Although self-confident and sarcastic, she is also extremely likeable. Seeking an actress with strong comic timing who sings extremely well. Mezzo-alto.

BARRY MANN 

(18+ to play ages 18-32)

A songwriter who becomes romantically involved with lyricist Cynthia Weil. He is good natured, appealing & neurotic. Ambitious, but likeable. Seeking a strong comedic actor with a great voice. Must be a strong high tenor comfortable with pop & rock style singing. Ability to play guitar preferred.

DON KIRSCHNER 

(ages 30’s-40’s)
An influential music publisher and producer. He is a fast talking, energetic force of nature. Powerful, direct & sometimes intimidating, but he has a real affinity for his writers and artists. A hit maker. Seeking a strong, witty actor. Sings briefly in one number.

GENIE KLEIN

(ages 40’s-50’s)
Carole’s Brooklyn Jewish mother. Once an aspiring playwright, she has been broken down by life & her husband’s infidelity. Protective of Carole and unforgiving of her husband’s mistakes. Seeking a strong actress. Non singing role. Ability to play piano preferred.

NEIL SEDAKA/RIGHTEOUS BROTHER/ENSEMBLE

(ages 20’s-30’s)
Caucasian male, a singer songwriter. Tenor.

NICK/RIGHTEOUS BROTHER/ENSEMBLE 

(ages 20’s-30’s)
Caucasian male, a singer songwriter. Baritone/Bass

BETTY/ENSEMBLE /RIGHTEOUS BROTHER/ENSEMBLE

(ages 20’s)
Caucasian female. Carole’s childhood friend and other roles. Mezzo-Soprano

MARILYN WALD/ENSEMBLE

(ages 20’s)
Caucasian female. A singer and other roles. Mezzo-alto

DRIFTER #1 /ENSEMBLE

(ages 20’s-30’s)
Black male, member of the doo-wop group The Drifters 

NEIL SEDAKA/RIGHTEOUS BROTHER/ENSEMBLE

(ages 20’s-30’s)
Caucasian male, a singer songwriter. Tenor.

DRIFTER # 3/ENSEMBLE

(ages 20’s-30’s)
Black male, member of the doo-wop group The Drifters 

DRIFTER # 4/ENSEMBLE

(ages 20’s-30’s)
Black male, member of the doo-wop group The Drifters 

SHIRELLE #1/SOLOIST/ENSEMBLE 

(ages 20’s-30’s)
Black female, Member of the pop group The Shirelles. A soloist in a club that sings “Uptown”.

SHIRELLE #2/LUCILLE

(ages 20’s-30’s)
Black female, Member of the pop group The Shirelles, and Don Kirshner’s secretary 

SHIRELLE #3/JANELLE WOODS 

(ages 20’s-30’s)
Black female, Member of the pop group The Shirelles and soloist who sings “One Fine Day”

SHIRELLE #4/LITTLE EVA 

(ages 16-Late 20’s)
Black female, Member of the pop group The Shirelles, Pop Singer of “Locomotion”