Producers Paul Blake and Sony/ATV Music Publishing have announced the cast for the North American tour of the Tony and Grammy Award-winning hit musical Beautiful- The Carole King Musical.
The tour will welcome Sara Sheperd (Carole King), James D. Gish (Gerry Goffin), Sara King (Cynthia Weil), Ryan Farnsworth (Barry Mann), Matt Loehr (Don Kirshner) and Rachel Coloff (Genie Klein) to the Company.
The ensemble of Beautiful includes Isaiah Bailey, Edwin Bates, Kaitlyn Nicole Davis, Rosharra Francis, Jamary Alexandra Gil, Kevin Hack, Danielle Herbert, Torrey Linder, Nick Moulton, Nurney, Teshomech Olenja, Monet Sabel, Paul Scanlan, Sarah Sigman, and Ben Toomer.
Beautiful – The Carole King Musical will return on November 2, 2021 in Chicago, IL. The tour will have been off the road for 600 days due to the Covid-19 pandemic; Beautiful last performed on March 12, 2020 at the Heymann Center in Lafayette, LA. The production will hold technical rehearsals and performances at Chicago’s CIBC Theatre (November 2-7, 2021) before embarking on its 2021-22 North American Touring season. Dates and cities may be found here.
“Following this unprecedented intermission from live theater, we are thrilled that Beautiful will be back on the road to bring joy and music once again to audiences across North America for the sixth touring season,” producer Paul Blake said. “We are humbled that over five million audience members worldwide have been entertained by our celebration of Carole’s story and her timeless music.”
Since the tour’s launch September 2015, Beautiful has played 1,586 performances in 160 cities over 204 weeks to nearly 2.7 million patrons. For more information and a video sneak peek, please visit www.BeautifulOnBroadway.com.
With a book by Tony® and Academy® Award-nominee Douglas McGrath, direction by Marc Bruni and choreography by Josh Prince, Beautiful features a stunning array of beloved songs written by Gerry Goffin/Carole King and Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil. On October 27, 2019, the Broadway production of Beautiful – The Carole King Musical will end its smash-hit, record-breaking run after nearly six years. By the time the production takes its final bow, it will have played 60 preview and 2,418 regular performances, surpassing the original production of Annie and the landmark 1998 revival of Cabaret to become the 27th longest-running musical (and the second longest running “bio-musical”) in Broadway history. On Broadway, the show has been seen by almost 2,200,000 audience members (including, quite famously, King herself) and is the longest-running and highest-grossing show in the history of the Stephen Sondheim Theatre.
The Original Broadway Cast Recording of Beautiful – The Carole King Musical (Ghostlight Records) won the 2015 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album and is available on CD, digitally, and on vinyl.
Sony Pictures has announced that the film adaptation of Beautiful will be produced by Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman, and Paul Blake.
Long before she was Carole King, chart-topping music legend, she was Carol Klein, Brooklyn girl with passion and chutzpah. She fought her way into the record business as a teenager and, by the time she reached her twenties, had the husband of her dreams and a flourishing career writing hits for the biggest acts in rock ‘n’ roll. But it wasn’t until her personal life began to crack that she finally managed to find her true voice. Beautiful tells the inspiring 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 acts in popular music history. Along the way, she made more than beautiful music, she wrote the soundtrack to a generation.
Beautiful features a stunning array of beloved songs written by Gerry Goffin/Carole King and Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil, including “I Feel The Earth Move,” “One Fine Day,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “You’ve Got A Friend” and the title song.
The creative team of Beautiful also includes Derek McLane (Set Design), Alejo Vietti (Costume Design), Peter Kaczorowski (Lighting Design), Brian Ronan (Sound Design), Charles G. LaPointe (Wig and Hair Design), Steve Sidwell (Orchestrations and Music Arrangements), Jason Howland (Music Supervision) and John Miller (Music Coordination).
Beautiful – The Carole King Musical is produced on Broadway by Paul Blake, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Jeffrey A. Sine, Richard A. Smith, Mike Bosner, Harriet N. Leve/Elaine Krauss, Terry Schnuck, Orin Wolf, Patty Baker/Good Productions, Roger Faxon, Larry Magid, Kit Seidel, Lawrence S. Toppall, Fakston Productions/Mary Solomon, William Court Cohen, John Gore, BarLor Productions, Matthew C. Blank, Tim Hogue, Joel Hyatt, Marianne Mills, Michael J. Moritz, Jr., StylesFour Productions, Brunish/Trinchero, and Jeremiah J. Harris.
Cast Bios
SARA SHEPERD (Carole King) Broadway/ Nat’l Tours: Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, (u/s Carole, u/s Genie, swing, Dance Captain, OBC); Cry-Baby: The Musical (ensemble); Legally Blonde: The Musical, (Kate/ Chutney, u/s Vivienne and Enid). Other favorite credits: Funny Girl (Fanny Brice) Drury Lane Theatre; Oliver! (Nancy) Human Race Theatre; Little Women (Jo March) John W. Engeman Theatre and CCM. Presidential Scholar in the Arts. Proud CCM Grad! Sara is beyond thrilled to be here and to share this story across the country. Thanks to everyone who made this moment possible! Thank you to the Beautiful team and to Clear Talent Group. This one’s for Mom.
JAMES D. GISH (Gerry Goffin) National Tours: Feuilly (Les Miserables). Recent Regional Credits: Jervis Pendleton (Daddy Long Legs, Phoenix Theatre Co.), Tony (West Side Story), Jack Kelly (Newsies), Bob Gaudio (Jersey Boys), and Toxic Avenger (The Toxic Avenger). Played Caesars Palace on Las Vegas Strip (nominated for five “Best of Las Vegas” Awards), performed concert series/tour featuring solo album So In Love (#6 on iTunes Classical Chart full week of release), produced by DW Music at Warner Brothers, Nashville. James sends all love and gratitude to his family and girlfriend, Jess. Instagram: @jamesdgish ; http://www.jamesdgish.com
SARA KING (Cynthia Weil) Sara is thrilled to rejoin the Beautiful family after her multi-year run on Broadway as an original Broadway cast member. Broadway: Beautiful – The Carole King Musical (Cynthia Weil, Marilyn Wald OBC), Hair (Tribe). Tours: Hair (Sheila), The Great American Trailer Park Musical (Pippi). Select Regional: Singin’ in the Rain (Lina Lamont, 2020 Ovation Award Best Actress), Rent (Maureen), Joseph…Dreamcoat (Narrator), Footloose (Ariel). TV: Blindspotting, Mr. Robot, Boardwalk Empire, HBO’s High Maintenance, Smash. Love to her LA, NYC and Texas families, her team at KMR and everyone coming out to support live theater and the arts. Instagram: @saraeking
RYAN FARNSWORTH (Barry Mann) “Farns” could not feel more excited and blessed to be returning to the Beautiful Tour! Credits include: Original Touring Cast: Beautiful (Swing, US Barry). Regional Premiers: Newsies at Tuacahn (Jack), Memphis at Arkansas Rep (US Huey). Other regional productions: Godspell/Ragtime at Theatre Aspen (Jesus/Younger Brother), That’s What I Call Rock at Fireside (Mercury/McCartney/Loggins), Footloose for NCL (Ren). NYC Theater: Zombie Strippers (Playya) for NYMF, Candide (Candide) for Theater 2020. Television: Law and Order SVU. BFA – UC Irvine. Thanks to Michael, Dave, Stephen, Kurt, and the entire Beautiful family. I’m so happy to be back. ryanfarnsworth.net
MATT LOEHR (Don Kirshner). Broadway: The Book of Mormon, Evita, Elf, Promises, Promises, Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Movin’ Out, The Producers, and Fosse. Also NY City Center Encores- Hey, Look Me Over!, Call Me Madam, and High Button Shoes. Off Bway- R.R.R.E.D (A Secret Musical). World Premieres of The Sting! (Papermill Playhouse, NJ) and Idaho! (Las Vegas). Regional favorites: Singin’ in the Rain (Sacramento,CA), Me and My Girl (Jupiter, FL), The Music Man (Beverly, MA). Love my job!
RACHEL COLOFF (Genie). B’way: Fruma Sarah/Shandel, Yente U/S, Fiddler on the Roof, Ensemble/Swing, Candide, Hal Prince director, Mrs. Snoring Man/Martha U/S, 2015 Nat’l Tour of White Christmas, Gabrielle U/S, ensemble, Lestat, and originated Soupy Sue in Urinetown. Off-B’way; Mrs. Hatch, Mrs. Welles, On A Clear Day… at Irish Rep, Old Jews Telling Jokes, Cardinal Franco in Popesical, The Modiste in I Married an Angel, City Center Encores. Regional; Rose in Mamma Mia! at Arrow Rock, Golde in Fiddler at Human Race Theatre and Yente in Fiddler at Barrington Stage.
ISAIAH BAILEY (Ensemble) is honored to return to this Beautiful show. Special thanks to The Father, Beautiful family, agents at DGRW, family, friends and supporters. Off-Broadway: Revelation, The Musical. Regional: Smokey Joe’s Café (Isaiah), Samson (Samson), Moses, Amazing Grace, Ragtime (Coalhouse Walker Jr.), Dreamgirls, Les Miz (Javert). OCU Alum. Instagram: @sangisaiah; Colossians 3:23
EDWIN BATES (Ensemble, Dance Captain). They/them. Edwin is thrilled to return to Beautiful on tour! Regional: Smokey Joe’s Cafe (Victor), La Cage aux Folles (Jacob), 25th Annual … Spelling Bee (Mitch Mahoney). Immense thanks to the producers, creative team and Stephen Kopel; and love to my Mom, Texas State Musical Theatre and CTG family! @edwinqbates
KAITLYN NICOLE DAVIS (Ensemble, u/s Carole, u/s Cynthia, u/s Genie) Kaitlyn Davis is ecstatic to join the Beautiful company! Previous credits include Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera North American Tour, and Law & Order: SVU. Many thanks to Max, Mom and Dad, Pantera/Murphy, and the Beautiful team. Kaitlyn’s original music is available on all music platforms. Instagram: @KaitlynNicole_Davis
ROSHARRA FRANCIS (Swing). Off- Broadway: The Tempest (Shakespeare in the Park/The Public Theater) The Events (New York Theater Workshop), 4@15: Casual Bob: Staged Reading (Roy Arias Theatre Center). NY: Parade (The Secret Theater, NY). Regional: Gateway Playhouse, Ogunquit Playhouse, Disney Cruise Line. TV/FILM: When I Live My Life Over, Again (Tribeca Film Festival). B.M. from SMU; M.M. from NYU/ Steinhardt.
JAMARY ALEXANDRA GIL (Ensemble) Afro-Latina and Point Park alumna, is humbled to join the cast of Beautiful! Disney Magic: Disney Dreams!; Scranton Shakespearean Festival: Dance Captain/Ragtime; PCLO: Broadway Musical Celebration, Wizard of Oz, Beauty and the Beast, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Grease, and Oklahoma! Blessed with God’s gracious love and my family. 1 Corinthians 13:4.
KEVIN HACK (Swing; u/s Gerry, Barry, Don). Blessed to return for another year! Tours: West Side Story (Tony) (National Tour 2013-14, International 2016-18). Regional: South Pacific (Lt. Cable); Beauty and the Beast (Gaston); Romeo & Juliet (Romeo). Praise to God. Love and thanks to his wife Jenna, family, friends, & Roger Paul Inc. @Kevinjhack
DANIELLE HERBERT (Ensemble) Delighted to be part of this tour! TV credits include: Orange is the New Black; The Sinner. Broadway credits: After Midnight (Standby/understudy for: Fantasia Barrino, K.D Lang, Toni Braxton, Vanessa Williams, Patti LaBelle, Adriane Lenox). Music credits: back-up singer for Grammy-winner, Jill Scott. For more info: danielleherbert.com.
TORREY LINDER (Ensemble) Proud to be back with the Beautiful family. Seeing faces in seats again is a dream come true. Thank you God, my wife and amazing family, I would not have made it this far without you. Love to all, please spread the love you receive as much as possible. 1 John 4:19
NICK MOULTON (Ensemble, u/s Barry) Excited to return to Beautiful after a two-year hiatus! During that time, he began a graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Credits: Peter Pan 360 (Nat’l Tour), Once, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, Rock of Ages, Carnival Cruise Lines more! Love to Meghan and Danny at HAA, my love Brandee, my family, the crew who make this possible, and you, for supporting the return of live theatre. @NRMoulton
NURNEY (Swing) Carole King fan since 1991. National Tour: The Book of Mormon. Regional: Olney Theatre Center, American Pops Orchestra, Toby’s Dinner Theatre. B.S. Communication Studies, Towson University. Thanks to Cynthia, family, & friends. IG: @chroniclesofnurnia
TESHOMECH OLENJA (Swing) is elated to join the Beautiful tour. Recently seen in Goddess (Workshop/Songlab) with Berkeley Rep & MCC Theatre, Beehive (Phoenix Theatre), Seussical (Sour Kangaroo), The Wiz (Dorothy), The Bluest Eye (Claudia) and can be seen in Anheuser-Busch’s Holiday campaign. All thanks to God and my family & friends! @teshomech
MONET SABEL (Swing, u/s Carole, u/s Cynthia, u/s Genie) National Tour debut! Grateful to be here. Off-Broadway: Sweeney Todd (Barrow St. Pie Shop). Regional/workshops: Agent 355, The Crazy Ones, Wendy’s Shadow, original shows at 54 Below and Don’t Tell Mama. Proud graduate of NYU/Tisch: New Studio on Broadway. Immeasurable love to Mom & Dad, the friends, and my Matt. @monetsabel
PAUL SCANLAN (Ensemble, u/s Gerry) is thrilled to be back with this Beautiful company! National Tour: Beautiful – The Carole King Musical. Regional credits include The Unsinkable Molly Brown, My Fair Lady (The Muny), Sunday in the Park with George, Company, La Cage Aux Folles & more (Signature Theatre) Carousel, The Pajama Game (Arena Stage) and many others. Television: FBI, The Equalizer. All my love to Casey and family.
SARAH SIGMAN (Ensemble) is thrilled to be performing in Beautiful! Last seen in On Your Feet! (MUNY/ KC Starlight). Credits include: Chicago (Nat’l Tour). Regional: A Chorus Line (Cape Playhouse), R&H’s Cinderella (Arrow Rock Lyceum). Dance Lab NY. All my love and gratitude to Mom & Dad, Tyler, and God. Thanks CTG fam! @sarahsigman_
BEN TOOMER (Ensemble) is grateful to return back to this incredible show! Regional credits include: Jubilee (Arena Stage), Les Misérables (Alliance Theater), A Chorus Line (Lexington Theater). Huge thanks to his family and friends, his agents at CGF Talent and the creatives for the opportunity. BFA in Musical Theatre Texas State University. Instagram: B_toomer