As you know, darlings, I have been singing the praises of Miss Mueller for the past two years. So, mark my words, when she took center stage at the start of "Beautiful--The Carole King Musical," and began to sing the classic (and my favorite) "So Far Away," the tears were cascading down my cheeks. I am telling you, not since BARBRA stepped onto the Winter Garden stage fifty years ago this Spring have I seen anyone, till Jessie, give a comparable performance, in a biographical musical. Like I said, darlings, mark my words.
"Beautiful--The Carole King Musical," uses influences from such past shows as "Funny Girl," "Dreamgirls," and "Jersey Boys," both in drama and staging. But the resulting blend stands on its own, not only because of its leading lady, but because of the talent she is wisely surrounded with.
When Jessie is on stage, who wants anyone else? But, when she is not, that does not mean the show is lacking. Anika Larsen and Jarrod Spector, playing Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, hold the stage during their moments, and when they do one of my childhood faves, "Walking In The Rain," the tears poured forth again. And Jake Epstein is equally compelling as King's charismatic, talented, but deeply disturbed husband, Gerry Goffin.
The ensemble singers who impersonate The Shirelles, The Drifters, and other groups of that era, are terrific. It was great to hear songs like "Up On The Roof," and "Will You Love Me Tomorrow," the latter sung poignantly, later on, by Jessie. Who also delivers on "One Fine Day."
But when "Beautiful" gets to the "Tapestry" stage, all hell breaks lose! I had heard in advance that Jessie's rendition of "It's Too Late," used to dramatize King's evolving from a songwriter to solo artist, was show stopping, and it is, but, I have to say, her rendition of the title song is what blew me away the most; it is to this show what "The Music That Made Me Dance," or "My Man" were to "Funny Girl."
Would "Beautiful" work without Jessie Mueller? Absolutely not. Good as everyone else and the material is, the show needs her warmth, vocal technique and special brand of musical passion--the kind seen in the early days of Streisand and Garland--to pull off the enterprise!!!!!!!!!!!!!
According to sources, the show is in two months of previews, which seems long for me, because things looked pretty set yesterday, as far as I was concerned. Audience members entered the theater, many not knowing who Jessie Mueller was, but, by curtain down time, they knew! Did they KNOW!!!!!!! And they showed it, by rising collectively to their feet!
Somehow it makes me feel vindicated! I know talent when I see it, darling! Jessie had better not only be a TONY contender--she had better win the damn award!!!!!!!!!
She and Celia Keenan-Bolger are the two best things I have seen on stage, this season. You have heard me on Celia, so get over to the Sondheim Theatre, to catch Jessie and Company! I cannot wait to hear the CD of this show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maybe on it Jessie will sing the one King song she didn't (besides, it was post-"Tapestry") which I would have loved to hear her sing--"Jazzman!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
When Jessie sings, darlings, you know that the faithless do believe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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