Kayla Rivera plays Carole King in “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group has announced.
The Tony, Olivier and Grammy Award-winning musical, which tells the story of music legend Carole King’s early life and career, opens at Meralco Theater on June 14.
Rivera made her musical theater debut as Nina Rosario in Atlantis’ acclaimed staging of “In The Heights” in 2011. She has played Princess Jasmine in Disney’s “Aladdin,” Carrie White in “Carrie,” Wednesday Addams in “The Addams Family,” Sherrie in “Rock of Ages” and, most recently, Violet Hilton in “Sideshow.”
Rivera began as pop singer, one of the final contenders in the ABS-CBN singing competition “Star Power.” “Beautiful” is her biggest role.
Rivera says, “I am so honored to be a part of ‘Beautiful,’ more so playing the role of Carole King herself. Her music is timeless and simply touches the heart and soul of listeners. Beyond that, she broke barriers by making her mark in a male-dominated industry with the historic success of one of the best-selling albums of all time, ‘Tapestry.’ She is a true inspiration and it is such a blessing to be trusted with this role.”
Joining Rivera is Nick Varricchio, who played Double J in Atlantis’ touring production of “Saturday Night Fever.” He plays Carole’s writing partner and husband, Gerry Goffin. This will be his second musical in Manila.
Varricchio says, “I feel honored to join Atlantis’ production. The chance to create with Bobby Garcia and his team makes me daydream about the tapestry we are going to weave. Ms King was once called ‘the first woman to give a downbeat,’ and I am eager to tell her story through words on pitch.”
Goffin and King wrote over 20 hit songs including “Up on the Roof” and “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow.” They were married for nine years, from 1959-1968, and have two daughters, Louise and Sherry.
With a book by Douglas McGrath, “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” has been keeping theatergoers in awe of the inspiring true story of one woman’s remarkable journey from teenage songwriter to inductee to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. It takes the audience back to where it all began, with unforgettable classics as “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.”
“Beautiful” is the second show in Atlantis’ 20th anniversary season, which opens in March with Tony Kushner’s epic masterpiece, “Angels in America: Millennium Approaches.”
E-mail beautiful@atlantistheatrical.com