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Carole King, Cynthia Weil, and Barry Mann Help West End Beautiful Celebrate Opening

The trio of music legends toasted the cast of the new West End production on their big night at the Aldwych Theatre.

Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, and Carole King help celebrate the opening night of the London production of Beautiful — The Carole King Musical at the Aldwych Theatre.
Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, and Carole King help celebrate the opening night of the London production of Beautiful — The Carole King Musical at the Aldwych Theatre.
(© Dan Wooller)

Legendary songwriters Carole King, Cynthia Weil, and Barry Mann helped welcome Beautiful — The Carole King Musical to London's West End on February 24 by appearing at the opening-night festivities at the Aldwych Theatre and leading the audience and cast in a sing-along rendition of "You've Got a Friend."

Katie Brayben receives a hug from Carole King on stage at the Aldwych Theatre.
Katie Brayben receives a hug from Carole King onstage at the Aldwych Theatre.
(© Dan Wooller)

Joining Brayben in the cast are Alan Morrissey as King's husband and songwriting partner Gerry Goffin, Lorna Want as songwriter Cynthia Weil, Glynis Barber as Genie Klein, King's mother, and Gary Trainor as music publisher and producer Don Kirshner. Vivien Carter, Ed Currie, Oliver Lidert, Fela Lufadeju, Tanya Nicole-Edwards, Terel Nugent , Jay Perry, Tanisha Spring, Lucy St. Louis, Danielle Steers, Dylan Turner, Joanna Woodwood, Andy Coxon, Jason Denton, Michael Anthony Duke, Joel Harper-Jackson, Rosie Heath, Aisha Jawando, Hannah Jay-Allan, and Leigh Lothian make up the ensemble.

The real-life Barry Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann congratulate on-stage counterparts Ian McIntosh and Lorna Want during the curtain call.
The real-life Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann congratulate onstage counterparts Ian McIntosh and Lorna Want during the curtain call.
(© Dan Wooller)

Beautiful, which opened on Broadway in January 2014, chronicles the early life and career of the legendary and groundbreaking singer/songwriter Carole King, featuring a book by Douglas McGrath. The songs are written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, and by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, including hits such as "Will You Love Me Tomorrow," "One Fine Day," "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman," and more.

Legendary singer-songwriter Carole King poses with Katie Brayben, who plays her in the London production of Beautiful — The Carole King Musical.
Legendary singer-songwriter Carole King poses with Katie Brayben, who plays her in the London production of Beautiful — The Carole King Musical.
(© Dan Wooller)

Click here for more information on the London production of Beautiful — The Carole King Musical.

Click here for tickets to the Broadway production at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre

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