Theater News

Broadway Welcomes a New Carole King in Beautiful

A temporary replacement for the role of Cynthia Weil also steps in.

Chilina Kennedy as Carole King in Broadway's Beautiful at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre.
Chilina Kennedy as Carole King in Broadway's Beautiful at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre.
(© Joan Marcus)

Canadian actress Chilina Kennedy takes over the role of Carole King from Tony and Drama Desk Award winner Jessie Mueller in Broadway's Beautiful — The Carole King Musical beginning March 7 at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre. Mueller played her final performance on March 6.

Kennedy made her Broadway debut in 2012 as Mary Magdalene in a revival of Jesus Christ Superstar.

Jessica Keenan Wynn (Heathers) also joins the cast on March 7. She makes her Broadway debut as Cynthia Weil, filling in for Drama Desk Award winner Anika Larsen, who temporarily departs the show for maternity leave.

With a book by Douglas McGrath and songs from the Gerry Goffin/Carole King/Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil catalog, Beautiful officially opened at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre on January 12, 2014. The show follows the life and career of singer-songwriter King and colleagues Goffin, Mann, and Weil, and features songs including "Will You Love Me Tomorrow," "One Fine Day," and "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman," among others.

In addition to Kennedy and Wynn, the Broadway company includes Scott J. Campbell as Gerry Goffin, Tony nominee Jarrod Spector as Barry Mann, Paul Anthony Stewart as Don Kirshner, and Tony nominee Liz Larsen as Genie Klein.

For tickets and more information, click here.

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