Jessie Mueller to Star in BEAUTIFUL - THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL; Show Now to Start Previews Fall 2013 at Sondheim Theatre on Broadway- Page 2

[Kelly2]

Posted: 8/12/13 at 5:17pm

She's perfect casting because the description of the arc of the story is something one could easily assume she'd be great an acting and inhabiting based on her past work. Their vocals don't need to be identical for her to be right for this.

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 8/12/13 at 5:32pm

Would this end up being a limited run if Roundabout is involved? Unless it gets great reviews and is a huge hit and might extend or run open-ended?

[jnb9872]

Posted: 8/12/13 at 5:44pm

Curtain, hits and albums don't often reflect vocal reputation. While obviously varying to each individual, her fame is at least equally in part due to her compositions as it is to her own records, which were a second-wave success story in her life.

She is obviously an extremely talented composer and singer. But her financial success in the industry is not solely due to one facet (or the other.) It does not support your argument (the way that, say, King's Induction in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 as a Non-Performer for her songwriting alongside Gerry Goffin would support the argument that she is more revered for her composition than her vocals.)

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 8/12/13 at 5:48pm

Precisely, jnb. She's a composer first and foremost; not a vocalist. She was writing hits way before she was recording them. She is a legendary songwriter. Not a legendary vocalist.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 8/12/13 at 5:54pm

I agree with some those points but King's voice is wonderful and iconic of a time. To say Mueller's voice is much better is an opinion, and I think ridiculous. And I have yet to see any great acting talent or proof she can carry a show. But I like her and I am obviously a King fan, so I hope she nails it.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/12/13 at 5:56pm

I'm not familiar with Jessie Mueller but am looking forward to this show!

[mc1227]

Posted: 8/12/13 at 6:02pm

Looking forward to seeing this show..Big fan of Carole King and a recent fan of Jessie's as well. Loved her in Drood and Oklahoma, not so much in Nice Work but I think this might be right up her alley.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 8/12/13 at 7:57pm

They just better include "No Easy Way Down." Who is Jessie Mueller?

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 8/12/13 at 8:11pm

"Would this end up being a limited run if Roundabout is involved? Unless it gets great reviews and is a huge hit and might extend or run open-ended?"

I think Roundabout's only involvement is as the land-lord of the theatre. I don't believe they are actively involved as producers.

[JuanValjean72]

Posted: 8/12/13 at 9:11pm

Great news for Jessie! Saw her in The Mystery of Edwin Drood and when she joined the cast of Nice Work If You Can Get It. She was hilarious as Helena and so funny and charming as Billie. Hope this runs for a while and gets her more recognition! :)

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 8/12/13 at 9:18pm

It was a huge change in Carole King's life and career to start seeing herself as a viable solo performer and not just a songwriter who provided material for other acts. Because Gerry Goffin was both her husband and her writing partner, their divorce served as the catalyst for her to start recognizing her worth as a woman and as an artist, and that's the exact journey that's charted in the show.

Updated On: 8/12/13 at 09:18 PM

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 8/12/13 at 9:43pm

And she won the 1972 Grammy for Best Female Pop VOCAL Performance.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 8/12/13 at 10:42pm

So a grammy for a vocal recording earns the label of "legendary VOCALIST"?

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 8/12/13 at 11:09pm

I like Mueller quite a bit, but this news couldn't be any less exciting. I want to hear Jessie perform a new score and see how she does originating some songs. After On a Clear Day, Into the Woods, Drood and Nice Work I was hoping to discover her take on new material all her own.

[bwaylyric]

Posted: 8/12/13 at 11:25pm

Is it too late for them to change the title of this musical?

[Kelly2]

Posted: 8/12/13 at 11:29pm

Lady GaGa won Best Female Pop Vocal Performance last year. It doesn't exactly go to only those possessing legendary voices. Her voice is certainly distinctive but I don't think it's one of those "once in a generation" voices that doesn't allow for other interpretations of her music (which could be equally wonderful). Carole's hallmark and what was beyond compare about her was her songwriting and her musicianship, in addition to her natural charisma. I don't think people regard her as a vocalist the way they did Whitney Houston.

[BobNC]

Posted: 8/13/13 at 12:22am

Many people don't think Streisand or the ilk are great singers just because they can hit the high notes. King is a song stylist like no other. Period. She packs more emotion into the delivery of her songs than most divas could ever dream. I saw Jessie Muller in "On a Clear Day" and loved her. Looking forward to this show.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 8/13/13 at 1:00am

True dat BobNC.

Carole's grammy does not make her voice Legendary, her VOICE does.
I'm sure the lovely Ms. Mueller would agree. tt will take all her talent to bring new life to Carole's songs and vocal stylings. And she does not have to copy but there will be much discussion of her takes on Carole's LEGENDARY recordings. It is a huge task.

[Kelly2]

Posted: 8/13/13 at 1:06am

Well, of course it's a huge task. That's why they cast Jessie Mueller.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 8/13/13 at 1:34am

I hope you are right, and I like your belief in her.

[theatregeek6]

Posted: 8/13/13 at 7:36am

Saw Mueller in Drood (first time seeing her perform) and was impressed with a stand-out performance amongst a stand-out cast (no easy feat with the folks on that stage).

Didn't have this show on my list, but will absolutly see it now.

[Kelly2]

Posted: 8/13/13 at 1:14pm

Well, right as I posted asking who was filling out the ensemble, we get a press release! Yay Anika Larsen and Jarrod Spector!

Updated On: 8/13/13 at 01:14 PM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 8/13/13 at 1:17pm

Also OMG Chris Peluso.

[Younger Brother]

Posted: 8/13/13 at 1:51pm

Very happy to see Alysha Deslorieux in the cast who has one of the most amazing voices!
See for yourself

[PlayItAgain]

Posted: 8/13/13 at 8:55pm

hope they change the key art and FAST! she looks like a young boy in drag on that artwork.