She wrote the hits. BEAUTIFUL IS her story.
In May 2026, Theatre Under The Stars brough an all-new production of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical to the stage. Beautiful is the inspiring story of a girl from Brooklyn who became one of the most successful singer-songwriters in music history.
Before she was a star, Carole King was crafting chart-toppers for artists like The Shirelles, The Drifters, and Aretha Franklin—songs that defined a generation. As her personal life shifted, so did her voice, culminating in the groundbreaking Tapestry album and a sound all her own.
With unforgettable hits like “It’s Too Late,” “You’ve Got a Friend,” “So Far Away,” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” Beautiful is a moving, music-filled portrait of resilience, self-discovery, and the healing power of song.
Kyra Kennedy in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical from Theatre Under The Stars at the Hobby Center. Photo by Melissa Taylor.
Photos
Photos by Melissa Taylor
CREATIVE TEAM
Dan Knechtges
Director & Choreographer
Stephen W. Jones
Music Director
Johnathan Spencer
Lighting Design
Andrew Harper
Sound Design
Colleen Grady
Costume Design
Kelley Jordan
Hair & Makeup Design
Monica Josette
Associate Choreographer
Keith Williams
Associate Music Director
Logan Keslar
Associate Choreographer
Renee Rimland
Production Stage Manger
Brandon Clark
Assistant Stage Manager
Megan Smallwood
Assistant Stage Manager
BEHIND THE SCENES
Kyra Kennedy
as “Carole King”
Dylan S. Wallach
as “Gerry Goffin”
Teresa Zimmermann
as “Cynthia Weil”
Barrett Riggins
as “Barry Mann”
Mark Ivy
as “Don Kirschner”
Holland Vavra
as “Genie Klein”
Abigail Bensman
Ensemble
Ben Chavez
Ensemble
Lizzy Cooper
Ensemble
John Ryan Del Bosque
Ensemble
Evin Johnson
Ensemble
Anyssa McDonald
Ensemble
Gloria Prince
Ensemble
Sarah Sachi
Ensemble
Braden Tanner
Ensemble
Raven Troup
Ensemble
Kristopher Ward
Ensemble
LaBraska Washington
Ensemble
Kaleb Womack
Ensemble
Miles Marmolejo
Swing
Cary Michelle Miller
Swing
Tobias Rytting
Ensemble
Destiny Webb
Swing
VIDEOS
PRODUCTION SPONSOR:
Beautiful is presented through a special arrangement with Music Theatre International. All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com