Annapolis Summer season Backyard Theatre’s manufacturing of Stunning: The Carole King Story is an enthralling tribute to the proficient, prolific songwriter and singer. With a guide by Douglas McGrath and phrases and music by Gerry Goffin, Carole King, Barry Mann, and Cynthia Weil, the musical makes use of the songs King and her buddies wrote to observe her profession and life, from a brilliant, insecure 16-year-old wanting to promote her first track to a Grammy Award-winning Carnegie Corridor performer. Directed by Mark Briner, with music path by Kate Piazza and choreography by Becca Vourvoulas, it blends humor, pathos, and keenness.
Ashley Zielinski Rudy brings joyfulness to Carole King, from writing songs to spending time together with her husband Gerry (Nathanael Quay). Enjoying Mozart in addition to rock and roll, she shines on the piano. Her first track she ever bought, “It May as Effectively Rain Till September,” is breezy enjoyable, whereas “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” is tender and candy. Rudy fills her later songs, like “It’s Too Late,” “You’ve Bought a Buddy,” “(You Make Me Really feel Like) A Pure Lady,” and “Stunning,” that King carried out herself, with ardour and feeling. Her moments of despair are additionally highly effective: she desperately sings “One Superb Day” after a devastating revelation, and her voice catches on “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” after one other harsh discovery.
Nathanael Quay offers depth to Gerry Goffin, Carole’s husband and writing companion. Initially dismissive, he shares his writing and flirts together with her. Bold and stressed, he bristles at suburban life, whilst he sings of its joys in “Nice Valley Sunday.” Frequently pushing for brand spanking new sound and new experiences, he collapses in tears at his incapability to write down. “Up on the Roof” reveals his childhood traumas, whereas “Take Good Care of My Child” is stuffed with tender pleasure.
Erica Miller performs songwriter Cynthia Weil with glorious comedian timing and all the time delivers good one-liners. Introducing herself, she turns “Pleased Days Are Right here Once more” into a comic book commercial for her writing chops. Chris Rudy performs Barry Mann, Cynthia’s writing companion, as an oversexed hypochondriac who cancels a number of dates and will get Cynthia to remain late at work. Initially dismissive of “You’ve Misplaced That Lovin’ Feeling,” he sings it comically in a too-high key. Watching their relationship develop is beautiful, as they slowly acknowledge their emotions. And the pleasant competitors between Cynthia and Barry and Carole and Gerry is enjoyable to look at.
Adam Conklin performs Don Kirshner, who finds singers for his writers’ works, with a comically blunt enterprise sense. Understanding what kinds of songs promote effectively and which performers are greatest for what songs, he performs the groups in opposition to one another. Nonetheless, he’s supportive and caring of Carole. Selene Athas brings a comic book contact to Genie, Carole’s mom. Petrified of her daughter’s writing ambitions, she unfavorably compares Instances Sq. to Hell. Later, she tells folks she all the time inspired Carole.
Will Griffin, B.J. Robertson, and Michael C. Smith play The Drifters with power, filling “Some Form of Great,” “Up on the Roof,” and “On Broadway” with love and pleasure. Natasha Alston, Aryana Briner, Michelle Bruno, and Cheyenne Jones-Arnwine play The Shirelles with class. At first reluctant about “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” because it initially sounds “nation,” they sing it with ardour. As singer Janelle Woods, Bruno is quietly highly effective, singing “One Superb Day” with pleasure. As Little Eva, Briner is stuffed with power, dancing across the stage in “The Locomotion.”
Because the Ensemble, Kasey Colligan, Hope Gilbert, Carter Grimes, Jeremy Limansky, Alex Miletich IV, Vincent Schiavone, and Vanessa Van Word fill out numerous roles. In “1650 Broadway Medley” they sing a number of Fifties hits, and “Be-Bop-a-Lula” is gloriously foolish. Colligan performs secretary Lucille with heavy sarcasm, whereas Carter Grimes performs guitarist Nick as enamoured of Carole, gently encouraging her to play together with his band. Miletich and Schiavone play The Righteous Brothers, singing “You’ve Misplaced That Loving Feeling” with deep disappointment, whereas Gilbert performs singer Marilyn Wald as relaxed and easy-going, starting “Nice Valley Sunday,” and Van Word performs Carole’s childhood pal Betty as eagerly supportive of her desires. Limansky performs Neil Sedaka with excessive power, singing “Oh Carole” with pleasure, impressed by Carole.
Set designer Dudley Witney creates a colourful set, with yellow partitions on both aspect of the stage coated in gold information, flipping over for workplace and residential scenes. The musicians are within the heart, behind a number of arches. The rooftop has a scenic view of New York Metropolis. Props designer Sally Lockley brings in a number of pianos and musical devices, in addition to a loveseat and TV. Costume designer Lisa Chadwick has garments that replicate every interval, from conservative jackets, pants, and attire within the ’50s to extra colourful, free outfits within the ’60s and ’70s, although Carole all the time wears skirts and lengthy tops, and The Drifters put on completely different coloured sparkly jackets for every of their numbers.
Lighting designer Aaron S. Adams makes use of quite a lot of completely different colours, some overhead, others from the wall of information on the perimeters, glowing in several shades. Sound designer Sam Markowitz ensures the performers will be heard, whereas music director Kate Piazza usually balances the music with the singing, although in a single track the music hides the singer.
Conductor Billy Georg leads the opposite musicians (Jarrett Rettman, Trent Goldsmith, Jeff Eckert, Mari Hill, Jamie Kim, Len Morse, Connor McCracken, and John Hobson) in robust renditions of the music. Choreographer Becca Vourvoulas creates easy, enjoyable dances, particularly “The Locomotion.” Director Mark Briner retains the performers shifting in between songs, whereas letting the songs communicate for themselves. The performers hit each comedian and emotional second spot on, giving each track power and feeling. Every little thing comes collectively to showcase a outstanding expertise. The favored present is promoting out; if tickets can be found, do go see it.
Operating Time: Roughly two hours and half-hour, together with one 15-minute intermission.
Stunning: The Carole King Story performs via July 25, 2026, at Annapolis Summer season Backyard Theatre, 143 Compromise Avenue, Annapolis, MD. For tickets ($30), name the field workplace at 410-268-9212 or buy on-line.
