Ruben Uribe
Gadsden County News Service
Gadsden County’s own Quincy Music Theatre presented Beautiful: The Carole King Musical at The Leaf during the past two weeks, marking the fourth and final show of the theater’s 41st season.
The production marked a milestone for the area. It was the regional premiere of Beautiful, meaning it was the first time the musical had been performed in the Big Bend and North Florida Panhandle region.
Beautiful tells the story of world-renowned singer-songwriter Carole King, played by Emma Patsula. King is known for classic albums and songs, including Music and Rhymes & Reasons.
The musical follows King’s life chronologically, beginning with her early years. The story shows her balancing personal struggles and a day job while pursuing songwriting for popular groups before eventually performing her own music. The plot spans from her youth in the 1950s to shortly after the success of her landmark 1971 album Tapestry. Along the way, the show explores the musical culture of the post-World War II era and King’s relationships with fellow musicians.
These relationships include her productive but eventually difficult marriage to first husband Gerry Goffin, played by Patrick Melly; her work with groups such as The Shirelles and The Drifters; singer Little Eva, played by Azaria Imani McCants; and the friendly but competitive partnership shared by songwriting duo Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, played by Ashleigh Littlefield and Dakota Miller.
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical was co-directed by Heather Malson and Chelsea Parker, with musical direction by Jordan Evans. Lila Knowlton served as choreographer, Phillip Patrick Ashley handled sound design and Katie Redd oversaw lighting. The Broadway production ran from 2014 to 2019 and won three Tony Awards.
“There’s something amazing about the way music weaves itself into the tapestry of our lives,” the co-directors said. “Carole’s journey isn’t clean or easy. It’s messy, complicated and very real. She leans on the people around her, stumbles, grows and keeps going. That’s what makes her story resonate so much.”
The co-directors also expressed gratitude to the cast and crew who helped bring the production to life. They described the show as a look at an important moment in music history, stripped of mythology and grounded in reality.
“Thanks for being here and for supporting live theatre,” they said. “We hope you hear something tonight that stays with you, keeping your toes tapping and your heart full.”
As with previous productions, Quincy Music Theatre highlighted its commitment to being the only local theater group in North Florida to feature a full live orchestra accompanying its productions.
Many cast and crew members also shared their thoughts about the production and their roles.
“He’s a young lyricist who grew up in troubling circumstances,” Melly said of Gerry Goffin. “He tries to appear suave and like he has his life together, but he is truly struggling behind closed doors.”
Melly, a student at Florida State University studying theatre performance and behavioral neuroscience, said the show carries a message of growth and forgiveness.
“The theme of Beautiful, I believe, is growth and forgiveness,” he said. “Everyone plays a role in your life, but allowing forgiveness and growth to those people, whether they leave or stay, is what makes a difference.”
Emma Patsula, who portrayed Carole King, said stepping into the role carried special meaning.
“It truly feels like stepping into big shoes,” Patsula said. “Over the course of the musical, she discovers who she is and what she wants out of life.”
Patsula, a Florida State University student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in theatre, has appeared in previous Quincy Music Theatre productions, including Hello, Dolly! and The Prom.
“I feel very similar as a person to Carole King in a lot of ways,” she said. “I’ve always loved her music, and it’s especially meaningful to my mom, which made me even more drawn to the role.”
Patsula said portraying King allowed her to embody the singer’s transformation from a talented teenager into an iconic performer who overcame many challenges.
Kaitlyn Ricketts portrayed Shirley of The Shirelles. Ricketts is a senior at Florida State University graduating from the Bachelor of Arts theatre program.
As the first African American girl group to earn a No. 1 hit on the Billboard charts, The Shirelles hold an important place in music history. Their collaboration with Carole King and other songwriters helped shape more nuanced lyrics in popular music during the postwar era.
“I try my best to play her with confidence and bring youthful energy to my performance as well,” Ricketts said. “I love The Supremes, I love The Ronettes, and I love Dreamgirls. I’ve always wanted to have a moment on stage where I could embody any of that and sing with other really talented women.”
Beautiful ran May 9-15. Multiple performances sold out, and the show received strong praise from local audiences.
