
BEAUTIFUL:
THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL
March 14 – April 6, 2025
The incredible journey of how Carol Klein of Brooklyn became Carole King, world-famous pop icon and hitmaker. Before she broke out as a solo superstar, Carole King wrote songs that would shape a generation, songs that became hits for the biggest names in music—Aretha Franklin, James Taylor, the Drifters and the Shirelles. This captivating Tony Award-winning musical includes over two dozen timeless hits like “You’ve Got a Friend”, “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” “Natural Woman,” and “I Feel the Earth Move." Beautiful takes you back to where it all began — and takes you on the ride of a lifetime with one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history.
The Axelrod production is directed and choreographed by Luis Salgado and stars Kyra Kennedy as Carole King.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
PREVIEWS
Friday 3/14, 7 pm
Saturday 3/15, 2 pm
OPENING
Saturday 3/15, 7 pm
Sunday 3/16 3 pm
Wednesday 3/19, 2 pm
Thursday 3/20 2 pm & 7 pm
Friday 3/21, 7 pm
Saturday 3/22, 2 & 7 pm
Sunday 3/23, 3 pm
Wednesday 3/26, 2 pm
Thursday 3/27, 2 pm & 7 pm
Friday 3/28, 7 pm
Saturday 3/29, 2 & 7 pm
Sunday 3/30, 3 pm
Wednesday 4/2, 2 pm
Thursday 4/3, 2 & 7 pm
Friday 4/4, 7 pm
Saturday 4/5, 2 & 7 pm
Sunday 4/6, 3 pm
TICKET PRICES
Previews: $42 All Seats
Premium: $74
Regular: $62
Standard: $52
Student: $32
Group (10 or more): Premium $52 and Regular $47 (no fees)
There is a $5 Facility Fee per ticket. Credit card purchases have an additional $4.50 Convenience Fee.
BOX OFFICE:
732-531-9106, ext 14
VIDEOS
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical | Axelrod Performing Arts Center


Beautiful: The Carole King Musical | Axelrod Performing Arts Center

Tiny Chat with the Cast: BEAUTIFUL's Gabriella Scott

Luis Salgado discusses his approach to Beautiful: The Carole King Musical | AXELROD PAC

Luis Salgado and Andrew DePrisco Chat Beautiful: The Carole King Musical | AXELROD PAC
PHOTOS
PRODUCTION PHOTOS
FIRST REHEARSAL
MEET THE CAST

Carole King
Kyra Kennedy
Recently — Dawn Alternate in Teeth the Musical Off-Broadway. Carole King, Beautiful, (Paper Mill Playhouse, MSMT, The Fulton); Kat Arujo in the World Premiere of Mystic Pizza the Musical (Paper Mill Playhouse, Ogunquit Playhouse, La Mirada Theatre, etc); Monica Lewinsky in the World Premiere play When Monica Met Hillary (Miami New Drama); Jenna and Dawn cover, Waitress (First National Tour); Corie, Barefoot in the Park (Arizona Theatre Company); Shelby, Steel Magnolias (Pittsburgh Public). Endless love and thanks to Justin and the team at LWC and her people. @kyramkennedy www.kyramkennedy.com

Genie Klein
Joy Hermalyn
is happily back at the Axelrod in another great Mom role, after a meaningful run as Golde in Fiddler on the Roof! Broadway/Off-Bway: Revival of Caroline, or Change (Grandma Gellman) Studio 54; Fiddler on the Roof (Fruma/Yente); Cyrano the Musical (Chaperone); Candide (Old Lady u/s); Christmas Carol (Mrs. Fezziwig); Baz Luhrmann’s La Bohème; Death Takes a Holiday; many Encores! productions at City Center. Favorite regional: Souvenir (Florence Foster Jenkins), Sunday in the Park with George (Old Lady), 33 Variations (Ladenburger), Gypsy (Rose), Hamlet (Gertrude), Sweeney Todd (Mrs. Lovett), Oliver (Widow Corney), Beauty & the Beast (Wardrobe). Opera from Alaska to Chicago to Italy to NYC; NBC’s Sound of Music Live!; Sweeney Todd Live from New York Philharmonic; Carnegie and Royal Albert Halls. Joy teaches voice and audition technique at Yale and Kean Universities, in private studio and online. Love to MRM, JJM, HCKR and all my students. Thanks for supporting this theatre & the arts more than ever. www.JoyHermalyn.com

Drifter
Jaleel Battles
is excited to make his Axelrod PAC debut joining the company of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical! Born and raised in High Point, NC, he has performed across the East Coast since he was seven years old. His most notable credit is performing in over 50 cities across the country in the National Tour of Hits! The Musical. Other credits include Drifter in Beautiful: the Carole King Musical (Virginia Musical Theatre), Duane, Seaweed u/s in Hairspray! The Broadway Musical and Flight: Dare to Dream (Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines), Mamma Mia!, Pippin, and Head Over Heels to name a few. He is grateful to God for all of his achievements. He would like to thank his manager at Ally Taylor Artists, his family and talented cast! IG: @iamjaleelbattles

Drifter
Steven Henry Thomas
is a New York Native and recent grad from NYU! Favorite roles include Banquo in The Scottish Play, Jack Kelly in Newsies and Jesse in A Bronx Tale. He is incredibly excited to be joining Beautiful at Axelrod Performing Arts Center. He would like to thank his Mom for pushing him to perform and his manager Laura for all the support!

Shirelle
Gabriella Scott
is thrilled to be making her Axelrod debut! She discovered her love for the arts at age four, and has been pursuing her passions ever since. Recent credits include Violet Beauregarde in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Tuacahn Amphitheatre), Angel in Six Minutes (GZM Shows), New Voices Concerts: 2021, 2022 (Paper Mill Playhouse), and Norah in Ismail Bronson’s, The Cobbler’s Wife. Gabriella would like to thank her family and friends for always supporting her dreams and, most importantly, gives all glory to God!

Betty
Reagan White
Jersey girl. Favorite credits: Hair (Sheila), Spring Awakening (Wendla, Ilse), Night of the Living Dead (Betty Lou/Others), Men on Boats (William Dunn), Jesus Christ Superstar (Ensemble). Offstage, she is a graduate student at Rutgers University studying Library and Information Science and is a former “Jeopardy!” contestant. Endless gratitude to the folks at Axelrod and love to Mom, Dad, and the boys. Special thanks to Kolter and Nikkita!

Ensemble / Dance Captain
Emma Luxemburg
she/her - Axelrod Debut! CT native, Wagner College graduate, and NYC resident. Regional: The Great American Trailer Park Musical (Pippi), Something Rotten! (Bea), Legally Blonde (Paulette), Something Rotten! (Ensemble/Dance Captain), Bandstand (Ensemble/Female Cover). Emma is also a teaching artist and choreographer working with competitive show choirs and dance studios throughout the Northeast. She thanks her parents, family, and friends, as well as the entire cast, crew, and creative team, for the love and support! @emmaluxemburg

Don Kirshner
Reed Campbell
Beautiful is the gift that keeps on giving! Previous productions: Fulton Theatre, The Rev, North Shore Music Theatre, Maine State Music Theatre. National Tours: Shelly Berger in Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations; Cookie McGee in Nice Work If You Can Get It. Regional Theatre: Gun and Powder at The Paper Mill Playhouse; Jeff in Tootsie; Cheech in Bullets Over Broadway; Sgt. Judson in From Here To Eternity (Ogunquit Playhouse); Luther Billis in South Pacific (The Rev); Judas in The Last Days Of Judas Iscariot (Starkid Productions); Off-Broadway: Kern in Important Hats Of The Twentieth Century (Manhattan Theatre Club); Comedy Of Errors (Shakespeare In The Park, The Public). TV: “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “Orange Is the New Black,” “The Blacklist: Redemption.” Education: BFA in Acting from The University Of Michigan. San Francisco native. Thanks to KK, Dad, DGRW/Schacter Entertainment. reedcampbell.com. Socials: @iamreedcampbell. For Mom.

Cynthia Weil
Allie Seibold
is thrilled to be back at Axelrod after previously playing Nurse/Billie in Sunday in The Park with George. This time around she gets to play opposite her real-life husband, Seth Eliser! She has toured nationally and internationally with Disney on Classic and The Lightning Thief. This past summer she originated the role of Rachel in Anne Frank in Mt. Vernon, Ohio at JACK NYC. Selected Regional: Beautiful (North Shore MT), Jersey Boys (Weston Theater Co.), Ghost (Music Theatre of Connecticut), The Twelfth Night Show (Artistree), Footloose (NCL). Catch her in theaters everywhere in the horror comedy, Screamboat! Big thanks to Andrew, Luis, Nate, Avalon Artists Group and her friends and family for dealing with her antics. @allieseibz www.allie-seibold.com

Drifter
Michael Nero
is excited to join the Axelrod family! He is a New Orleans native and proud Kennesaw State Alumni. Currently touring the world as a Guest Entertainer, he has also Regional Theatre credits including: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, A Christmas Carol, Raisin in the Sun, Parade, and After Midnight. Many thanks to the cast and creative team who have made this production possible!

Shirelle
Ria Davie
is thrilled to bring this beautiful story to life at Axelrod Performing Arts Center! A dynamic performer with a passion for storytelling, Ria’s previous credits include Annie (National Tour, ‘Star to Be’), His Story: The Musical (Mary), and The Prom (Alyssa Greene). When she’s not on stage, Ria creates content that interweaves her love for theatre, beauty, and self-discovery. She is grateful to her support system for their unwavering love. Keep up with her journey on social media @hey_jataria.

Shirelle
Tiana Williams
is excited to work with Axelrod! She is a proud BFA alumni of Indiana University. Her recent credits include: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical at Asolo Rep, Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 (Natasha), Disney Cruise Line’s Aladdin (Jasmine U/s), Something Rotten at Rocky Mountain Rep Theatre (Portia U/s), The Wiz (Dorothy), The Sound of Music (Elsa Schraeder), Ragtime (Sarah), In the Heights (Vanessa), and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Pharaoh). Tiana thanks her agent, and thanks God, her parents, and family for their love and support!

Righteous Brother
Ben S. Daniel
is super excited to be making his Axelrod PAC debut! He is a graduate of Montclair State with a BFA in Musical Theatre. Recent credits include originating the role of Binyomin Berman in New York Circa 1909 (SoHo Playhouse) and Jim/Andy in The Office! A Musical Parody Off-Broadway. This summer Ben will be playing Freddy Eynsford-Hill in My Fair Lady (Ivoryton Playhouse). He would like to thank the amazing team at MMV Talent and his wonderful family for all of their constant love and support! bensdaniel.com @Ben.S.Daniel

Ensemble
Anthony Cangiamila
is excited to be joining the company of Beautiful for his first production with Axelrod! A proud first-generation Italian from Jersey, he recently attended Point Park University before making NYC his home. Much love and gratitude to his friends and family and a big thanks to the creative team for making this all possible! Recent credits include: Jersey Boys (ACT of CT, The REV), Here I Am (Off-Broadway). IG: @anthony_cang_

Gerry Goffin
Aidan C. Cole
he/him - is thrilled to make his Axelrod Debut with this production of Beautiful! Other Regional Credits include Bob Gaudio in Jersey Boys (North Shore, Weston Theater Company), Prince Topher in Cinderella (TBTS), Titanic (Milwaukee Rep), and Sky in Mamma Mia! (Argyle Theater). Aidan graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BFA in Musical Theater from The Pennsylvania State University with the Schreyer Honors College Designation. He would like to thank Hudson Artist Agency, his mentors, and most importantly, Mom, Dad, and Gabe for all of their help along the way. Aidan-Cole.com @acole6363

Barry Mann
Seth Eliser
is so excited to be joining the team here at Axelrod alongside his actual wife, Allie Seibold! Seth and Allie are also a writing duo and can’t wait to share the stage as Bar and Cyn. He has toured nationally and internationally with Disney on Classic (Japan), The Lightning Thief, and The Music Man. Select regional: Beautiful (Paper Mill Playhouse, Fulton, MSMT, NSMT) Godspell (PCLO), Ghost (MTC), Punk Rock Girl (Argyle), Twelfth Night Show (Artistree) ONCE (Weston, Bucks County), Hairspray (NCT). He would like to thank Andrew and Luis for this opportunity, Allie, his Louisiana/New Jersey family, and Avalon Artists Group for their support! @seth_lsr @allie.and.seth

Drifter
Jason Tyler Smith
is so excited to be back on stage with this “Beautiful” show ;) some past credits include Come From Away Nat’l tour (Bob and others), RENT Nat’l tour, Passing Strange (Youth), “Harlem” (Amazon Prime). Huge thank you to AA. Forever grateful to his loving family, the Graham fam, CESDL and BP.

Shirelle
Mecca Hicks
career spans stage and screen. She has performed internationally, including at Tokyo Disney Sea and as Zahara in Bat Out of Hell: The Musical at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas. Mecca has also appeared on FOX’s “I Can See Your Voice” and is thrilled to bring this incredible music to life at Axelrod Theater.

Marilyn Wald
Kristen Olson
is thrilled to be joining Axelrod PAC's production of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical! Kristen is a NYC based actor, proud alum of Muhlenberg College and the Accademia dell’Arte, and current student at the Patrick Page Studio and Katy Pfaffl Voice Studio. Some of her favorite past credits include Anastasia (Anya), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Millie), Beauty and the Beast (Belle) along with touring the country with Cirque Dreams. Endless thanks to the Axelrod team as well as her family, boyfriend, and chosen family for their overwhelming amounts of support.

Righteous Brother
Jeremiah Todd Smith
is a performer, guitarist, and entrepreneur who graduated from Ball State University and is originally from Athens, Georgia. Jeremiah is so excited to be a part of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical here at Axelrod Performing Arts Center. Some of his previous credits include Nigel Bottom in Something Rotten (Rocky Mountain Rep), Righteous Brother in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Rocky Mountain Rep), Joe Pesci in Jersey Boys (Pittsburgh Musical Theatre), and Ensemble roles in The Pirates of Penzance, Almost Heaven (Rocky Mountain Rep), and A Christmas Carol (Jean’s Playhouse). He is grateful to his friends and family who have always supported and loved him and would like to emphatically thank all those involved in this production of Beautiful! @jeremiah.smith.23 / jeremiah-smith.com / @thecastconnect / thecastingconnection.net
CREATIVE TEAM

Director, Choreographer
Luis Salgado
Luis Salgado is an award-winning director, choreographer, performer, producer, and educator from Puerto Rico, based in New York City. He is the director/choreographer of On Your Feet! The Musical–The Story of Emilio & Gloria Estefan ( 2nd National Tour), AIDA (STAGES St. Louis, MO), ON YOUR FEET! La historia de Emilio y Gloria Estefan ¡EN ESPAÑOL! (GALA Hispanic Theatre, Washington, DC), In The Heights (STAGES St. Louis), Let’s Dance (Transcendence Theatre in CA), Ella Es Colombia (Bogotá, Colombia), and Candela Fuerza y Pasión (Lima, Peru). In Europe, Luis has worked with Stage Entertainment as the Associate Director for Cirque du Soleil’s Paramour (Hamburg, Germany) and On Your Feet! (Holland). Luis just finished choreographing a new production of Jesus Christ Superstar, blending the iconic sound of the original album with modern influences, including Latin percussion and latin electronic music elements. He also continues his passion for cultural innovation as director and co-developer of BARBA: Brazilian Body Percussion Musical, in collaboration with Carlos Bauzys and Kim Bixler, as well as a commissioned musical celebrating Colombian culture for GALA Hispanic Theatre in Washington, DC. Luis was the Assistant Latin Choreographer of the original Broadway production of In the Heights, which won four Tony Awards. His additional directing and choreographing credits include RAGTIME, TO BE OR NOT TO BE… a Shakespearean Experience, FAME, Amigo Duende the Musical, Matilda, Song of Solomon, Speed the Plow, and The Tempest. He has directed and choreographed UP-FRONTS (2018–2024) for Telemundo and Viva Broadway’s Concert Series (2020–2023), performed live in Times Square. As an actor, Luis has appeared on Broadway in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, ROCKY, In the Heights, and On Your Feet!. His film and TV credits include American Gangster, Dirty Dancing 2: Havana Nights, the television remake of Dirty Dancing, Enchanted, and Step Up 2: The Streets (Alejandro), where he also served as assistant choreographer. Luis is a four-time Helen Hayes Award-winning director/choreographer, bringing eighteen Helen Hayes Awards to GALA Theatre for both In the Heights and On Your Feet!. His work in In the Heights also earned the St. Louis Theatre Circle Award for Best Choreographer and Outstanding Production of a Musical. As the founder and director of R.Evolución Latina, an affiliate of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Luis strives to empower communities through the arts, creating opportunities for representation and cultural enrichment. For more information, visit www.LuisSalgado.com.