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Some good friends and I had the pleasure of attending "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical "at the Zach Theater in Austin, a Performing arts theater. It was nothing short of inspiring! One of the things I love most about the Zach Theater is its intimate setting. The smaller size creates a close-knit, personal atmosphere where you feel truly connected to the performance. It’s the perfect venue for a show like Beautiful, allowing Carole King’s timeless music and powerful story to resonate on a deeper level. |
Carole King is undeniably one of the most influential songwriters in pop music history. Even before her four-time Grammy Award-winning album Tapestry took the world by storm, she was already a powerhouse in the Brill Building era of the 1960s, penning hit after hit. Amazingly, she co-wrote her first #1 song, “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” at just 17 years old! With over 100 Billboard Top 100 hits to her name, and Tapestry holding a spot on the Billboard 200 for six incredible years, her influence on music is immeasurable.
Carole's accolades are as impressive as her songwriting legacy. She’s been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame not once, but twice—once as a songwriter and again as a performing artist. She also made history as the first woman to receive the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. More than 400 of her songs have been recorded by over 1,000 artists, showcasing the incredible reach of her music.
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical tells her story with such heart and soul. It takes us through her early days as a songwriter, her complex personal and professional relationship with her first husband and writing partner, Gerry Goffin, and her rise to stardom with Tapestry. The musical captures the magic of her infamous 1971 Carnegie Hall concert, weaving her life's pivotal moments together like the very tapestries that inspired her. The show beautifully illustrates how Carole’s music shaped her life and, in turn, how her life shaped her music.
Beyond being a nostalgic trip through her catalog of hits, the musical highlights a pivotal transformation in the music industry—from the bustling hit factories of the Brill Building to the more intimate, personal songwriting of the 1970s. Carole King was at the forefront of this change, and her journey encapsulates that transformation with grace and passion.
For me, hearing her songs again—filled with themes of forgiveness, optimism, and resilience—felt especially timely. Her music has always had the unique ability to bring people together, offering hope and unity, which is something we need more than ever today. What a gift her music continues to be!
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