Love the music of Carole King? Follow the story of the legendary singer-songwriter’s career as you enjoy her music “BEAUTIFUL—The Carole King Musical” playing the Paramount Theatre in downtown Seattle October 19-30, 2016 (including a 1pm matinee on 10/20). I’m looking forward to taking my mom to the show for a girls’ night out. Tickets here. For discount tickets, visit Goldstar and search “Beautiful.”

I had a chance to ask Erika Olson (who plays King’s fellow writer and friend Cynthia Weil) a few questions:

Q: Tell me about one of your favorite numbers in the show? Why do you love it?

A: Having to choose a song from the incredible catalogue of music Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann created is almost impossible. From “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” to “Natural Woman” to “Walking in the Rain,” these four songwriters wrote the soundtrack to a generation. Frankly, I love all the numbers in the show, but my favorite would have to be “On Broadway.” This classic tune is sung beautifully by the actors portraying the Drifters. It’s a real Broadway showstopper filled with bright lights and cool—and you get to see how it was created!

Q: What words to you have to share to encourage struggling artists?

A: More than anything else, this show has taught me to keep going. Most artists have struggled in their life, look at Carole King! She defied all odds and continued to be fearless and persistent with her music—and thank goodness she did. Keep on pursuing what you love for as long as you love it.

Q: What sets BEAUTIFUL apart from other jukebox musicals?

A: What’s so great about BEAUTIFUL is that it’s a true story following real artists who wrote thousands of incredible songs, many of which are featured in the show. Everyone has strong memories of these songs, but don’t know the stories behind them, or who actually wrote them. BEAUTIFUL—The Carole King Musical seamlessly intertwines an array of classic songs that we all know and love, with a heartwarming, true story about friendship, love, and music. With this show, you get to witness Carole playing “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” for the first time, right when she discovers the lyrics her then husband wrote. It’s such an iconic moment and we always hear the same happy sigh in the audience when those first few chords are played. Getting to know the story behind the songs is really what makes BEAUTIFUL extra special.

Q: What are you looking forward to during your stay in Seattle?

A: I’m a California girl, so I am super excited for all the outdoor activities Seattle has to offer. I can’t wait to explore Discovery Park and the Bay…and of course drink some delicious coffee!

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About the show:

BEAUTIFUL – The Carole King Musical tells the Tony® and Grammy® Award-winning inspiring true story of King’s remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history. Along the way, she made more than beautiful music, she wrote the soundtrack to a generation.