BEAUTIFUL: The Carole King Musical

April 15 – May 11, 2025

Book by Douglas McGrath
Words and Music by Gerry Goffin & Carole King,
Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil

Follow the inspiring true story of Carole King’s remarkable rise to stardom – from being part of a hit songwriting team to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history. But it wasn’t until her personal life began to crack that she finally managed to find her true voice.  Featuring a stunning array of beloved songs, including “I Feel the Earth Move,” “One Fine Day,” and “You’ve Got a Friend,” this Tony® and Grammy® winner is the soundtrack for many generations.

PRESENTING SPONSORS: Bobbie Olsen and Proctor Construction Company

KAELEE M. ALBRITTON* (Marilyn Wald, u/s Cynthia Weil) Recently seen last spring in the ensemble of Riverside Theatre's Kinky Boots! Off-Broadway: The Z Team. National Tours: Hairspray (Amber Von Tussle), Legally Blonde (Brooke Wyndham). Endless thanks to Michele & the Take 3 Talent team, DJ Salisbury, Wojcik Casting and the Beautiful cast & creative team for welcoming me into this beautiful world. For my friends, family, Gabriel, and my angels, Nana and Stacie. Love and light! @kaealbrittonnn

D’MARREON M ALEXANDER* (Drifter, Ensemble) is excited to be making his Riverside Theatre debut! A Detroit native. National Tours: Girl From The North Country (1st National Tour), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Drifter). Regional/NYC: The Color Purple (Denver Center), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Ogunquit, Tuacahn Amphitheater). Endless thanks to family, friends, The Price Group Agency. @dmarreonalexander

GREGORY CARL BANKS, JR.* (Associate Choreographer, Drifter, Ensemble, Swing, Dance Captain) Too many debuts to count! Gregory Banks is grateful to be joining the team and cast of Beautiful! Beyond excited to be stretching their artistic abilities as the associate choreographer and dance captain. Previous credits Broadway: Back to the Future The Musical. National tours: Ain’t Too Proud 1st national (Lamont) After Midnight Ncl. Regional: Kinky Boots ACTofCT In the Heights (Benny) LTGI  Joseph (one more angel) Toby’s Dinner Theater. Instagram/tiktok @down_bythebanks

SARAH BOCKEL* (Carole King) is thrilled to be making her Riverside debut! Sarah has been lucky enough to perform in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical on Broadway, across America on the first and second national tours, and regionally at Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine. Most recent credits include: Tina the Tina Turner Musical first national tour (Rhonda), Falsettos (Trina) at the Court Theatre in Chicago and Into the Woods (Baker's Wife) at Paramount theatre in Aurora, IL. Sarah lives in New York City with her husband Dylan and two dogs, Josh and Warren. 

CHRISTOPHER BRASFIELD* (Drifter, Ensemble) a Mississippi native and graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York, is thrilled to be part of this beautiful production. His national tour credits include The Book of Mormon, Hairspray, and the Smokey Joe’s Cafe 20th Anniversary Tour. Off-Broadway, he has appeared in Choir Boy, Dear Edwina, and The Columbine Project. Regional credits include Hairspray (Paper Mill Playhouse), Ain’t Misbehavin’ (The REV @ Merry-Go-Round Playhouse), and Smokey Joe’s Cafe (North Shore Music Theatre). On screen, he starred as Jett in NBC’s “The Chica Show.” Brasfield’s latest music is streaming on all platforms! Follow him on Instagram/TikTok: @OhSoChrisB.

JONAS COHEN* (Don Kirshner) is thrilled to return to Riverside Theatre after previously appearing in Lost in Yonkers and Mamma Mia! Off-Broadway credits include Deadly Stages, Duet for Three and Strings Attached, as well as 2 shows for the New York Musical Theater Festival. Regional Credits include: Arkansas Rep, Walnut Street Theatre, Portland Stage Company, Barrington Stage, Great Lakes Theater Festival, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, The Hangar Theater, Flat Rock Playhouse, The Arvada, Capital Repertory Theater, and The Fulton Theater. TV Credits include: “FBI,” “The Good Fight,” “The Equalizer,” “The Flight Attendant,” “Mr Robot,” “The Deuce,” “Succession,” “Law & Order SVU,” “Power,” “Blue Bloods”.

RACHEL COLOFF* (Genie Klein) is thrilled to be making her Riverside Theatre debut! Her favorite Off-B’way roles: Cardinal Franco in Popesical, Debbi in Old Jews Telling Jokes at the Westside Theatre, Mother in Enter Laughing at the York Theatre, Mrs. Einsford-Hill in My Fair Lady with The New York Phil at Lincoln Center. Regional: Yente in Fiddler On The Roof at Barrington Stage, and Golde in Fiddler On The Roof at The Human Race. Broadway: Ensemble/Swing/Baroness in Candide w/ Hal Prince, Elton John’s Lestat, FrumaSara/Shandl/Yente in Fiddler On The Roof and SoupySue in the Tony-award winning Urinetown. Nat’l Tours: Martha u/s White Christmas Tour and Genie Klein in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.

KYRIE COURTER* (Shirelle, Ensemble) is a multidisciplinary artist most recently seen in the revival of Sweeney Todd on Broadway and in her own solo cabaret show at 54 Below. Some credits include The Radio City Christmas Spectacular; Ragtime (Bay Street Theater); School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play (Goodman Theatre); Next to Normal (Writers Theatre, Jeff nomination); Marie Christine (BoHo Theatre, Jeff nomination); Legally Blonde (Paramount Theatre); Seussical, The Color Purple (Drury Lane Theatre, Black Theater Alliance Award); Company (Venus Cabaret Theater); BLKS (Steppenwolf Theatre Company); Dreamgirls (Porchlight Music Theatre). Much love, and many thanks. Enjoy the show! IG: @kyriecourter

SARAH ELLIS* (Cynthia Weil) happily returns to RIVERSIDE with a penchant for the jukebox musical - last seen here in Jersy Boys (2024) and Million Dollar Quartet (2018). She is an NYC-based actor, concert artist, and producer, with credits spanning theatre, film, commercial, and symphony work, including the First Nat’l of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. Select regional: Pittsburgh CLO, The Rev, Stages STL, KC Starlight, MT Wichita, Ogunquit Playhouse, Geva Theatre, Arrow Rock Lyceum, Northshore MT, Florida Studio, The Gateway, & The Engeman. Up next: choreographing Gentleman’s Guide… at TheatreSquared. OHLQ Spokesperson. Co-Creator/Producer of award-winning MT SHORTS. BFA Penn State. For Daddio. www.meetsarahellis.com @iamsarahellis

JANAYSIA GETHERS* (Little Eva, Shirelle, Ensemble) is thrilled to be performing in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Recently, she completed a contract with Disney Cruise Lines, portraying Princess Jasmine in Aladdin: The Musical Spectacular. With a passion for performing and a dream of making her own music, Janaysia aspires to one day grace the Broadway stage. She is incredibly grateful for the opportunities and joy that life and theatre bring. Instagram @Janaysia.Gethers

JAKE GOZ* (Gerry Goffin) is a born and raised New Yorker who’s very happy to be soaking up the Florida sun! Recent engagements: Lt Cable, South Pacific (Fulton/MSMT); Charlie Price, Kinky Boots (Palace Theatre); Danny Zuko, Grease (Argyle Theatre). Big thank yous to the wonderful staff and creative team here at Riverside, my amazing team at Hell’s Kitchen and CLA Partners, and my incredible group of family and friends who support me day in and day out. Enjoy the show!

DOMINIQUE KEMPF* (Shirelle, Ensemble) Riverside debut! I am delighted to join the Beautiful team. National Tours: Hadestown (Fate 3), Tootsie (Suzie, u/s Julie Nichols). Regional Projects: SpongeBob Musical (Sandy), Ragtime (Sarah, Artie Award), Avenue Q (Gary Coleman), Little Shop of Horrors (Ronette), West Side Story (Maria), Ordinary Days (Deb), First Date (Ida/Lauren/Allison), and Late in the Evening w/ Paul Simon. Much love to Danny & Meghan at Hudson Artists. Thank you God for my many blessings! Instagram @neekxy, TikTok @AsToldByNeek.

TREVOR MARTIN* (Nick, Righteous Brother, Ensemble) International: The Sound of Music (Captain Von Trapp) - Broadway International Group. Regional: Titanic (Thomas Andrews), Sweeney Todd (Sweeney Todd), Beauty & the Beast (Beast), Les Misérables (Javert), Next to Normal (Dan Goodman), White Christmas (Bob Wallace), Guys & Dolls (Sky Masterson), Camelot (Arthur), West Side Story (Riff), End of the Rainbow (Anthony), See What I Wanna See (Man #1), Jekyll and Hyde (Jekyll/ Hyde U/S) The Sound of Music (Captain Von Trapp). Selected Opera: Muse (When Adonis Calls, world premiere), Professor Milton (Voir Dire, world premiere), John (House of Legendary, world premiere), Cor (Miranda, world premiere), Mark Twain (TESLA, world premiere), JFK cover (JFK, world premiere). Additional Credits: Lotte Lenya Vocal Competition Winner, American Traditions Vocal Competition Semi-Finalist, MM University of Houston. @trevor_andrew_martin

JALON MATTHEWS* (Drifter, Ensemble) is excited to make his Riverside debut! Most recent regional credits include: Benny in In the Heights (Rubicon Theatre Company), Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance (Utah Shakespeare Festival), Sebastian in Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Musical Theatre West), Roger in Grease (Fulton Theatre, La Mirada Theatre, Musical Theatre West), and The Lehman Trilogy (Center Theatre Group). MFA (Acting) from UC Irvine and BA (Acting) from Pepperdine University. Thank you to his family, friends, Bubba, and FSE for their love and support!

NICK MOULTON* (Barry Mann) Always great to be back at 1650 Broadway! // Nat’l Tours - Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Peter Pan 360. Regional: Frozen (Fulton Theater), Jersey Boys (Casa Mañana), Beautiful (Maine State Music Theater; North Carolina Theater). Big love Danny and Meg with Hudson Artists Agency and Brandee. In addition to performing as an actor, singer, and musician, Nick is a graduate student studying Clinical Mental Health Counseling, leads conversations at colleges and universities about mental wellness, and is a mental wellness advocate for entertainment and contract-based workers.

OLIVIA PALMER* (Betty, Ensemble, u/s Carole) Riverside Theatre debut! As a musician and singer/songwriter herself, it’s always an honor to share this amazing story. Off-Broadway: The Great Gatsby (Jordan/Myrtle cover). Regional: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical at Paper Mill Playhouse (Carole King U/S, Betty) and The Muny (Carole King Standby). Olivia can also be heard on the original studio cast recording of Open/Stay ("The Devil I Don't"). Proud JMU MT graduate. Huge thanks to my amazing team at MMV! For her family, always. Website: olivia-palmer.com / IG: @oliviacpalmer

ALEXANDRIA REESE* (Shirelle, Ensemble) is a Chicago native and graduate from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Her favorite credits include: Raven ("Law and Order SVU"), Emma Price (Personality, pre Broadway engagement), Beneatha (Raisin, 50th Anniversary Revival) and Sarah (Call Me From the Grave, Off Broadway). She loves teaching musical theater and helping students find their creative voice in song, dance or spoken word. 

MIKE SCHWITTER* (Righteous Brother, Ensemble) is excited to make his Riverside debut with this wonderful show, revisiting the role of Righteous Brother which he last performed at The Muny. Broadway: Pippin (Lewis, u/s Pippin). National Tours: The Book of Mormon (u/s Elder Price), Les Misérables (u/s Marius and Enjolras). Off-Broadway: Stardust Road (Wallace). Regional: West Side Story (Tony), South Pacific (Lt. Cable), Next to Normal (Gabe), A Little Night Music, Unsinkable Molly Brown, Jesus Christ Superstar. Film/TV: BROS, Holly Jolly. Mike has also performed with dozens of symphonies domestically and internationally, including Cirque Musica and West Side Story at both the Hollywood Bowl and the Opera du Rhin in Strasbourg. www.MikeSchwitter.com

AMBER MARIAH TALLEY*  (Swing) Recently played Diana Ross on the 1st National Tour of Ain’t Too Proud. Amber is a proud Atlanta native and an alumna of the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Thank you to Riverside Theatre for the opportunity to share my gift once again. Thank you to my supporters, my family, and most importantly God. @ambermariiah

RYAN GREGORY THURMAN (Drifter, Ensemble) recent favorites Barry Belson in Jersey Boys (The Cape Playhouse), and The Cannonball in the World Premiere of The Last Match: A Pro Wrestling Rock Experience. Other fun adventures include: TJ in Sister Act (Paper Mill), Oklahoma! (Pittsburgh CLO), Hart Island (TheatreWorks Sil. Valley), Sebastian in Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Lexington Theatre Co). National Tour/International: Elf the Musical (Store Manager), After Midnight (Quartet Leader, Virgil). Point Park Alum, and proud Cleveland native. All the love to my beautiful wife Lea, Mom, & Fam. Shout out to HAA – appreciate you. Visit www.RyanGregoryThurman.com & follow @Huggybruh for more!

CREATIVE TEAM:

Director/Choreographer - DJ SALISBURY 

Music Director - MICHAEL KAISH

Associate Music Director - CHRISTOPHER D. LITTLEFIELD 

Scenic Designer - PETER BARBIERI 

Lighting Designer - YAEL LUBETZKY 

Sound Designer - CRAIG BEYROOTI 

Casting - WOJCIK CASTING TEAM 

Production Stage Manager - JENNY LANG

Assistant Stage Managers - LYDIA RUNGE, KATIE WILHELM