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BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL

@ Sunderland Empire

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 BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL 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 wrote the soundtrack to a generation, including one of the best-selling albums of all time, Tapestry, and countless classics such as (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, Take Good Care of My Baby, You’ve Got a Friend, So Far Away, It Might as Well Rain Until September, Up on the Roof and The Locomotion. The show also includes the Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann hit songs You’ve Lost that Lovin Feeling, On Broadway and We Gotta Get out of This Place.

Paul Blake, Sony/ATV Music Publishing and Mike Bosner in association with Michael Harrison are delighted that Bronté Barbé is playing ‘Carole King’ in the UK and Ireland tour of the Olivier, Tony and Grammy award-winning BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL. Bronté is joined by Kane Oliver Parry as King’s husband and song-writing partner ‘Gerry Goffin’, Amy Ellen Richardson as song-writer ‘Cynthia Weil’, Matthew Gonsalves as song-writer ‘Barry Mann’, Carol Royle as King’s mother ‘Genie Klein’ and Adam Howden as music publisher and producer ‘Donnie Kirshner’. At certain performances, ‘Carole King’ will be played by Leigh Lothian.

BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL received its Broadway premiere in January 2014 at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre where it continues to play to packed houses and throughout 2015/2016 it toured the US. The London production will end its triumphant two and a half year run at the Aldwych on 5 August. The Tokyo production opened in July and the Australian production opened in September.

Bronté Barbé was a finalist in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s BBC1 television series “Over The Rainbow” in 2010. Since then she has appeared on stage in both London’s West End and around the UK. Previous credits include “Cool Rider” in the West End and ‘Princess Fiona’ in the UK Tour of “Shrek -The Musical”. She most recently starred in “The Wild Party” at The Other Palace.

Kane Oliver Parry has starred in “Carousel” and “Sweeney Todd” at London’s Coliseum. West End credits include “Wicked” and “Urinetown”. Kane also appeared in “The Light Princess” at the National Theatre and the International Arena Tour of “We Will Rock You”.

Amy Ellen Richardson’s West End theatre credits include “Merrily We Roll Along”, “Crazy For You” and “Les Misérables”. After appearing in the UK Tour of “Singin’ in the Rain”, Amy recently reprised the role of Kathy Selden in Tokyo at Theatre Orb.

Matthew Gonsalves is currently appearing in the West End production of “Beautiful – The Carole King Musical”. His other theatre credits include “Dirty Dancing” and “Dreamboats and Petticoats” both on UK Tour. Matthew has also been a singer and vocal arranger for artists including Florence and the Machine, Westlife, Will Young, Leona Lewis, and Barry Manilow.

Carol Royle’s theatre credits include “Moonlight” at the Donmar and the UK Tour of “An Ideal Husband”. Carole has also appeared in many television series including “Crossroads”, “Casualty”, “Doctors” and “Life Without George”.

Adam Howden’s previous theatre credits include Offie nominated “The Talented Mr Ripley”, “Romeo & Juliet”, “Richard III” and “Spring Awakening”. Television credits include “Doctors”, “The Interns”, “Whitechapel”, “New Tricks” and “Holby City”.

Leigh Lothian is currently appearing in “Beautiful – The Carole King Musical” at the Aldwych Theatre. Her other West End credits include “Chariots of Fire” at the Gielgud Theatre. Leigh has also appeared in “The Beautiful Game” at the Union Theatre and “Avenue Q” and “Kiss Me, Kate”, both at the Gatehouse Theatre.

The cast is completed by Merryl Ansah, Lauren Byrne, Matt Campbell, Khalid Daley, Jessica Joslin, Esme Laudat, Emma Lucia, Grant McConvey, Jacob McIntosh, Paige Miller, Matt Mills, Simeon Montague, Ben Morris, David O’Mahony and Saran Webb.

BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL is based on the early life and career of legendary singer/songwriter Carole King. It has a book by Douglas McGrath with words and music by Gerry Goffin, Carole King, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.

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