FEEL THE EARTH MOVE. BEAUTIFUL, The Carole King MusicalJuly 10-20, 2025

Celebrate the career of an American music icon, as Farmers Alley Theatre tells the life story of Carole King at the Nelda K. Balch Festival Playhouse on the campus of Kalamazoo College!

(Kalamazoo, MI) Farmers Alley Theatre brings their incredibly popular Season 17 (Jersey Boys, A Jukebox for the Algonquin, Ride the Cyclone) to a close as they presentBEAUTIFUL, the Carole King Musical from July 10-20 at the Nelda K. Balch Festival Playhouse on the campus of Kalamazoo College. After success last summer at the playhouse with...Spelling Bee and School of Rock,Farmers Alley Theatre is once again thrilled to partner with K College to perform in their larger venue for this rocking musical evening.

Before she was hit-maker Carole King — she was Carole Klein, a spunky, young songwriter from Brooklyn with a unique voice. From the chart-topping hits she wrote for the biggest acts in music to her own life-changing, trailblazing success withTapestry,Beautiful: The Carole King Musical takes you back to where it all began — and takes you on the ride of a lifetime.

Beautiful is the inspiring tale about a girl who became King with a stirring book by the late Oscar and Tony-nominated Douglas McGrath and the music and lyrics of icons Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. Featuring such 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", this Tony® and Grammy® Award-winning musical phenomenon is filled with the songs you remember and a story you'll never forget.

After tackling Jersey Boys this past fall, Director Kathy Mulay is poised to tell the rise of another icon of the recording world, this time in a larger space at the Festival Playhouse. “Being able to perform at K College allows us the opportunity to have more patrons enjoy our productions, and tell a story as powerful and loud as Carole’s music,” says Mulay.

“Carole’s story is one that is truly resonant for anyone who has big dreams, and the passion to follow them. And I guarantee you leave the theatre singing at least one of her hits. It’s such a fun time at the theatre.” 

Brendan Vincent (Ride the Cyclone) will return as Music Director andLeonard E. Sullivan(Ride the Cyclone) will serve as choreographer.

Stepping into the role of Carole King is professional artist, Rachel Dudt. Having performed professionally in dozens of shows across the country (Million Dollar Quartet, Into the Woods, Nunsense!, American Idiot)and headlining International Cruise Lines, Rachel is thrilled to be playing this dream role! Joining Rachel is Jersey Boys’ Brandon Ruiter as Gerry Goffin, Chicago Native Allison Masulis as Cynthia Weil, and BroadwayWorld Award Winner for Frankie Valli inJersey Boys, Nick Anastasia as Barry Mann.

The rest of the cast features Kalamazoo IconLori Moore(Gentleman’s Guide...) as Genie Klein, local favoriteMichael Morrison(1776)as Don Kirschner, and an extremely talented ensemble which includesJason Mulay Koch(Bright Star),Braeden Davis(Ride the Cyclone), Kemar Williams(Rent), Sydney Harrison(School of Rock), Aija Elise(Chicken & Biscuits), Jonah Taylor, Bradyn Lowe, Darion Elie, Cayla Nichole Harris, Kiah Quinn, Isabel Brown, Rebekah Hill, andKevyn Roessler.

Managing Artistic Director Jeremy Koch said, “Carole King is a living legend. A musical icon. So, we had to find the perfect artist to bring her to life and boy did we hit the jackpot. Rachel Dudt has the talent, the spirit, the warmth, the look and the energy that will captivate our audience and make them feel like they are transported to another time and place. She channels the voice and spirit of Carole to perfection.”

Beautiful, the Carole King Musical runs for two weekends from July 10 through July 20, 2025 and will be performed at the Nelda K. Balch Festival Playhouse on the campus of Kalamazoo College, 129 Thompson St.

Performance days and times are Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30pm and Sundays will start at 2pm. Go to our website for all dates and times. Tickets range from $55-$25 with Student ticket pricing at $15 for all shows. Farmers Alley Theatre is proud to offer 15% off regular ticket prices for Military/Veterans and Teachers (please call the box office to request that discount and have ID ready to show upon arrival). $20 rush tickets for adults and $10 rush tickets for students are offered for all performances starting 1 hour prior to curtain (subject to availability; theatergoers must be present at the box office). Preview performance tickets on Thursday, July 10th are $25.

American Sign Language (ASL) interpreted performance on Saturday July 12th at 7:30pm. ASL performances generously sponsored by Barbara A. Rider and Fred W. Sammons. Tickets are available for purchase at www.farmersalleytheatre.com or by calling the Box Office at 269-343-2727.

Beautiful is generously supported by our Season Equity SponsorThe Tyler Little Family Foundation and by our show sponsorsThe First National Bank of Michigan, Acrisure, Jack & Andy Hopkins, Nancy Ford Charles, Allkins Family Foundation and Jeff K Ross Financial Services, LLC.

Beautiful is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).