Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group is proud to be staging Broadway’s award-winning hit, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, running from June 14 to July 7 at the Meralco Theater, Pasig City.
Playing the titular role is Kayla Rivera, who made her professional musical theater debut playing Nina Rosario in Atlantis’ acclaimed staging of In The Heights in 2011. She has also played Princess Jasmine in Disney’s Aladdin, Carrie White in Carrie, Wednesday Addams in The Addams’ Family, Sherrie in Rock of Ages, and Violet Hilton in Side Show.
To play King’s husband and writing partner, Gerry Goffin, is Nick Varricchio, who was last seen onstage in Manila as Double J in Atlantis’ touring production of Saturday Night Fever. His musical credits include A Chorus Line, Happy Days, Light in the Piazza, and Spring Awakening.
Joining them are some of the country’s most acclaimed upcoming theatre stars. Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante, last seen on the Atlantis stage as Lauren in Kinky Boots, will play Cynthia Weil, Carole’s friend and rival. George Schulze, last seen as Earl in Waitress, will play Barry Mann. Gab Pangilinan, currently starring in Ang Huling El Bimbo, will play the lead singer of The Shirelles and Marilyn Wald.
Jill Peña, who last appeared in Side Show plays one of the Shirelles and Janelle Woods. Teetin Villanueva, who previously appeared in Waitress, will play Little Eva and one of the Shirelles. Maronne Cruz, fresh from her critically acclaimed performance as Dawn in Waitress, will be playing Betty, Carole’s childhood best friend.
Among the actors who will be playing The Drifters are; Tim Pavino, who recently played the title role in Miong; Arman Ferrer, who last appeared in Side Show; Jep Go, who recently appeared in Eto Na! Musical nAPO!; and Markus Mann, last seen as Judas in Godspell in Florida.
Nelsito Gomez, who recently concluded his critically acclaimed turn as Louis in Angels in America, will play a number of roles including Neil Sedaka. Rhenwyn Gabalonzo, who last appeared in Kinky Boots, will play one of the Righteous Brothers. Joining them are Gabby Padilla, Dean Rosen, and Alex Reyes.
Theatre veterans, Jamie Wilson and Carla Guevara-Laforteza, who were previously seen in Ang Huling El Bimbo, also join the cast as Don Kirshner and Genie Klein.
With a book by Douglas McGrath, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical has been thrilling theatergoers with the inspiring true story of one woman’s remarkable journey from teenage songwriter to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. From the string of pop classics she wrote for the biggest acts in music, to her own life-changing, chart-busting success with Tapestry, Beautiful takes you back to where it all began—and takes you on the ride of a lifetime.
Featuring unforgettable classics like “You’ve Got a Friend”, “One Fine Day”, “So Far Away”, “Take Good Care of My Baby”, “Up on the Roof”, “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling”, “Will You Love Me Tomorrow”, and “Natural Woman”, this Tony, Olivier and Grammy Award-winning musical phenomenon is filled with the songs you remember-—and a story you’ll never forget. Beautiful continues to run on Broadway and on US National Tour.
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical is directed by Bobby Garcia in celebration of Atlantis Theatrical’s 20th anniversary season. For tickets, visit www.ticketworld.com.ph or call 891-9999.
