(MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse has announced the full cast and creative team for Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, featuring a book by Oscar, Emmy and Tony Award nominee Douglas McGrath and words and music by Gerry Goffin & Carole King and Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil. Casey Hushion will helm the production, with choreography by Jennifer Werner and music direction by Wendy Bobbitt Cavett. Beautiful will play June 5 to July 3, 2024 at Paper Mill Playhouse.
This Tony-nominated musical follows the early life and career of Carole King on her journey from teenage songwriter to chart-topping solo artist. King wrote for many of the biggest names in music, often alongside her husband, but it wasn’t until she made the leap from the writer’s room to the stage that she truly found her voice. This inspiring story of love, heartbreak, and empowerment features over two dozen hits, including “One Fine Day,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” and “Natural Woman.”
Beautiful features Kyra Kennedy as Carole King, Marrick Smith as Gerry Goffin, Samantha Massell as Cynthia Weil, Jacob Ben-Shmuel as Barry Mann, Bryan Fenkart as Don Kirshner, and Suzanne Grodner as Genie Klein.
The ensemble includes Tavis Cunningham, Seth Eliser, Kevin Hack, Jana Djenne Jackson, Andrea Levinsky, Prentiss E. Mouton, Jay Owens, Olivia Palmer, Thomas Ed Purvis, Isaiah Reynolds, Tavia Riveé, Aaron Robinson, Danielle Summons, Bronwyn Tarboton, Giselle Amarisa Watts, and Mikayla White.
Tickets start at $35 and may be purchased by calling 973.376.4343, online at www.PaperMill.org, or at the box office.
The production features scenic coordination and additional design by Kelly James Tighe, costume design by Jen Caprio, lighting design by Jess Creager, sound design by Sun Hee Kil, and wig, hair and makeup design by Roxanne De Luna. Casting is by Geoff Josselson of JZ Casting. Andrea Cibelli is the Production Stage Manager. Scenery originally designed by Roman Tatarowicz and built by Walnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia PA.
This production of Beautiful was licensed by Music Theatre International.
Programs, dates, and artists are subject to change.
BIOGRAPHIES
Kyra Kennedy (Carole King). Paper Mill debut! Kyra most recently originated the role of Kat Arujo in the world premiere of Mystic Pizza at the Ogunquit Playhouse and again on the West Coast at La Mirada Theatre. She originated the role of Monica Lewinsky in the world-premiere play When Monica Met Hillary (Miami New Drama) and covered Jenna and Dawn on the first national tour of Waitress. Other recent favorites include Corie in Barefoot in the Park (ATC) and Shelby in Steel Magnolias (Pittsburgh Public).
Marrick Smith (Gerry Goffin). Paper Mill debut! Broadway: Fun Home (original Broadway cast). National Tour: Dear Evan Hansen (original tour cast). Off-Broadway: Fun Home, Wild Goose Dreams (Public). TV: “The Blacklist.” Regional: Fiddler on the Roof, …Forum (Muny). Marrick is the senior engineer at the Iridium jazz and blues club at 1650 Broadway. He also works as a freelance music producer/mix engineer and is a member of Biscuit Head Collective. Film/TV Scoring: Tuesday, The Screens, The Hosts. Artist Projects: Kristen Plati, J. Riley Henderson, Payson Meistrich, Argyres, and Sabrina Monique. Live Mixing FOH: Ed Palermo, Marc Lettieri, Jimmy Vivino, Kofi Baker, Lee Rittenour.
Samantha Massell (Cynthia Weil) is thrilled to be back at Paper Mill. Broadway: Fiddler on the Roof (Hodel), Baz Luhrmann’s La Bohème. TV: “Dynasty,” “Mr. Mercedes,” “Chicago Fire,” “The Good Fight,” “NCIS: New Orleans,” “Elementary.” Selected regional: Double Helix (Rosalind Franklin, Bay Street, world premiere), Rags (Rebecca, Goodspeed, premiere—Connecticut Critics Circle Award, Outstanding Actress), The Flamingo Kid (Karla, Hartford Stage, world premiere), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Florika, La Jolla/Paper Mill, US premiere), Aladdin (Jasmine, Muny), Into the Woods (Rapunzel, Muny). BFA, University of Michigan, Phi Beta Kappa.
Jacob Ben-Shmuel (Barry Mann) is over the moon to be making his Paper Mill debut! When he isn’t onstage, Jacob spends his time as a songwriter and a playwright. You can find his original work on his podcast, One Million Musicals, available wherever you get your podcasts. National Tour: The Book of Mormon (Elder Cunningham standby). Off-Broadway: Amid Falling Walls (Yosl). Select regional: Parade (Leo Frank), Godspell (“Light of the World”), Matilda (Mr. Wormwood), Spamalot (Sir Robin).
Bryan Fenkart (Don Kirshner). This is Bryan’s second appearance at Paper Mill after 2019’s My Very Own British Invasion. Broadway/First National Tour: Memphis, Waitress. World Premieres: Water for Elephants (Alliance), Darling Grenadine, A Sign of the Times (Goodspeed), These Paper Bullets! (Yale Rep, Atlantic), Diner, Piece of My Heart (Signature), Nobody Loves You (Second Stage). TV: “Manifest” (Netflix), “Harlem” (Prime), “Interview with the Vampire” (AMC), “Chicago Med,” “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” (NBC). Singles: “Man of Make Believe,” “Brother,” “Moving Earth,” “We Are;” Albums: Simple & Grey, Imperfect Man.
Suzanne Grodner (Genie Klein) is so happy to be back at Paper Mill Playhouse, where she was last seen this winter as Yente in Fiddler on the Roof. Broadway: Beautiful, Bye Bye Birdie, and The Rose Tattoo; National/International Tours: Beautiful, The Phantom of the Opera. Off-Broadway: Cakewalk; Sarah, Sarah; Old Jews Telling Jokes; Death Defying Acts. Over 70 regional productions including Ragtime (Sacramento Music Circus); Silent Sky and Grand Horizons (Asolo Rep); Vanya and Sonia… (Cincinnati Playhouse); Emma (The Old Globe); Annie (Pioneer Theatre); Yentl (Cleveland Play House); I’m Not Rappaport (Pittsburgh Playhouse); The Sisters Rosensweig (Indiana Rep). TV: “Ray Donovan,” “Ed,” and six episodes on all three “Law & Orders.”
Casey Hushion (Director). Broadway: Associate/Resident Director of Mean Girls, Aladdin, The Prom, Elf, In the Heights, The Drowsy Chaperone, To Be or Not to Be, and Good Vibrations. National Tours: Clue, The Cher Show. New York: Call Me Madam at City Center Encores!, Fat Camp, and the Broadway production of Nerds (almost). For television, Casey has choreographed episodes of “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.” She served as the artistic director of North Carolina Theatre for ten years. Casey is thrilled to be back at Paper Mill, where she has directed Clue, Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, A Jolly Holiday, and the streaming production of Beehive, and will be directing Mystic Pizza next season.
Jennifer Werner (Choreographer) is the supervising associate director of The Book of Mormon worldwide. Associate Director: The Cottage on Broadway; Follies, The Most Happy Fella, Call Me Madam (City Center Encores!). Regionally she has directed and/or choreographed for Paper Mill, Ogunquit, Casa Mañana, Maltz Jupiter, Engeman, and North Carolina Theatre. Her diverse choreography includes As Long as We Both Shall Laugh (Roundabout), The Black Suits (Center Theatre Group), NFL commercials, ABC’s Upfronts, Drama League Awards, Cabaret (numerous productions worldwide), Bloodsong of Love (Ars Nova), The Plant That Ate Dirty Socks (Lortel), ReWrite (Urban Stages), and Things to Ruin (Second Stage). Direction/choreography for Broadway Bounty Hunter (Greenwich House Theater) and Punk Rock Girl!. In development: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.
Wendy Bobbitt Cavett (Music Director) is thrilled to return to Paper Mill, where she worked on Dreamgirls, The Secret Garden, Gigi, and Sweeney Todd. Broadway: Come From Away, Mamma Mia!, Hamilton, The Scarlet Pimpernel, A Year with Frog and Toad, The Most Happy Fella, and A Tale of Two Cities. National and international: Come From Away, The Who’s Tommy, Mamma Mia!, and A Chorus Line. New projects: The Sabbath Girl, coming to Off Broadway in summer 2024, and SuperYou, coming to the UK in fall 2024. Wendy is on the theater faculty of Wagner College.
Kelly James Tighe (Scenic Coordination & Additional Design). National tours/Off Broadway credits include The Cher Show, Martin Luther on Trial, The Most Reluctant Convert, The Fantasticks, The Great Divorce, Movin’ Out, Cats, Shear Madness, Shadowlands, Almost Heaven. Paper Mill designs include A Jolly Holiday, Songs for a New World, Pete ’n’ Keely, Beehive, Beauty and the Beast, and more. Kelly’s work has been seen at the Fifth Avenue Theatre, TUTS, Ogunquit Playhouse, Gateway Playhouse, Laguna Playhouse, Center Repertory Co., Slow Burn Theatre, Woodloch Pines Resort, and others. Awards and recognitions: Drama-Logue, SF Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle, Dean Goodman Critic’s Choice, SF Bay Shellie Award.
Jen Caprio (Costume Design). Paper Mill: Clue, Songs for a New World, Beehive, The Other Josh Cohen. Broadway: The Heart of Rock and Roll, Spamalot, Falsettos, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. National/International: Clue, Falsettos, Joseph…, The Lion (West End/US tour), …Spelling Bee (US tours). TV: “The Pigeon Explains!” (YouTube), “Tiny Time Travel” (PBS Kids), “Sesame Street” (seasons 47–54), “The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo” (seasons 1–2), “Manhunt” (Apple TV+). Daytime Emmy Award winner for “Sesame Street” in 2020, nominated in 2019 and 2021.
Jess Creager (Lighting Design) is thrilled to be making her design debut at Paper Mill Playhouse with Beautiful. Here in Millburn, she’s previously worked as the associate lighting designer of Hercules, Chasing Rainbows, Benny & Joon, and The Sting. Other recent projects as associate lighting designer: Illinoise (Broadway), Merrily We Roll Along (Broadway), Spamalot (Broadway), & Juliet (Broadway, Toronto), Leopoldstadt (Broadway), Into the Woods (Broadway, Encores!), Company (Broadway, first national tour), Six (Aragon Tour), Dear Evan Hansen (Broadway, West End, first national tour, Toronto); for Disney: Frozen (West End), Hercules (Hamburg, Paper Mill Playhouse).
Sun Hee Kil (Sound Design). Credits include Fiddler on the Roof, The Sound of Music (Paper Mill Playhouse); As You Like It (Shakespeare in the Park); Suffs, The Visitor (Public); I Can Get It for You Wholesale, A Man of No Importance (CSC); New Victory Dance (New Victory); Shout Sister Shout! (Ford’s); Exclusion (Arena Stage); The Heart Seller (Milwaukee Rep). Associate: 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies; Broadway: Choir Boy (Tony Award, Best Sound Design), Suffs, Bernhardt/Hamlet, The Rose Tattoo. Off-Broadway: Emmet Otter (New Victory), Greater Clements (Lincoln Center); International Tour: Dreamgirls. Assistant professor of Sound Design at SUNY Purchase.
Roxanne De Luna (Wig, Hair & Makeup Design). Cleveland Play House: Amadeus, Light It Up! (world premiere). Two River Theater: The Scarlet Letter (world premiere). Big League Productions: The Cher Show (first national tour). North Carolina Theatre: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (2023), Kinky Boots (2020). Ogunquit Playhouse: Wig & makeup design, 2018–present. Tuacahn: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (2023). PlayMakers Repertory Company (LORT-D): My Fair Lady, Intimate Apparel (2017). She was born and raised in El Paso, TX. Graduate with her Master of Arts from University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music in Wig and Makeup Design, 2015.
JZ Casting (Casting) is thrilled to continue collaborating with Paper Mill Playhouse. Theater work includes Broadway, Off-Broadway, and regional productions at Alley Theatre, Arena Stage, Baltimore Center Stage, Cape Playhouse, City Theatre, The Civilians, Irish Repertory Theatre, Kansas City Rep, Kennedy Center, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Paper Mill Playhouse, Pasadena Playhouse, Pittsburgh CLO, Pittsburgh Public Theater, St. Louis Rep, Seattle Rep, Signature Theatre, South Coast Repertory, Studio Theatre, TheaterWorks Hartford, and Woolly Mammoth Theatre.
Andrea Cibelli (Production Stage Manager). Paper Mill: World premieres of A Bronx Tale and Honeymoon in Vegas, as well as Hercules, Murder on the Orient Express, Beehive, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, West Side Story, The Sound of Music, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, The Full Monty, Steel Magnolias, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Nutcracker, and New Voices 2013–2023. Broadway: A Bronx Tale, Flying Over Sunset, POTUS, Head Over Heels, Honeymoon in Vegas. Tours/International: West Side Story, Spring Awakening, Race for Love. Other credits include Monkey: Journey to the West, The Mile-Long Opera, Princeton University Dance Department, and Lincoln Center Festival. Head of Stage Management/adjunct faculty at Drew University.
PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE, recipient of the Regional Theatre Tony Award, is a nationally renowned not-for-profit theater under the direction of Mark S. Hoebee (Producing Artistic Director) and Michael Stotts (Executive Director). A beloved New Jersey arts institution since 1938, Paper Mill creates and produces groundbreaking new musicals and reimagined classics. Several productions have gone on to Broadway and launched national tours, including The Great Gatsby, Disney’s Newsies, Bandstand, Honeymoon in Vegas, A Bronx Tale, and Les Misérables (25th Anniversary production). The theater is also the home to an award-winning center for musical theater education and artist training, with outreach programs that impact thousands of students each year. As one of the nation’s premier musical theaters, Paper Mill fosters a creative environment to advance the art form, educate students, develop future theater lovers, nurture inclusion, and provide access for all.
Paper Mill Playhouse programs are made possible, in part, by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Paper Mill Playhouse is a member of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, the Council of Stock Theatres, and the New Jersey Theatre Alliance.
