Centre Stage's 'Beautiful' traces the rise of Carole King

Eleven years ago, Anna-Elyse Lewis sat entranced as she watched the Broadway production of “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.”

Lewis, an Upstate actress, fell in love with the show and hoped that maybe, just maybe, she might have the opportunity to play Carole King on a South Carolina stage.

“I remember thinking, ‘Oh gosh, I’d love to try my hand at that one day,’” Lewis said.

That day is here. Lewis stars as the legendary singer/songwriter King in Centre Stage’s production of “Beautiful,” July 18-Aug. 4.

“Beautiful” follows pop sensation Carole King’s remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband, Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with other songwriters to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history.

The jukebox musical features an array of classic songs written or co-written by King, including “I Feel the Earth Move,” “One Fine Day,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “You’ve Got a Friend” and the title song.

“I’ve always loved Carole King’s music,” Lewis said. “She really was a game-changer, ushering in that era of emotional singing and writing your own story.”

“Beautiful” focuses on the young King, an enormously talented woman who defies the odds, writes her first hit songs at age 16 and survives in a competitive business.

“She is such a strong, resilient, creative woman,” said Ahsha Daniels, director of the Centre Stage production. “I can always get behind a woman fighting for her dream.”

Tour de force

The role of King is a tour de force for an actress.

“It’s definitely a tall order, the most challenging and easily the most rewarding show I’ve ever done,” Lewis said. “It’s been a lot of fun pushing my limits.”

Lewis, marketing and communications director for Ten at the Top, which connects nonprofits in the Upstate, often performs at Spartanburg Little Theatre and has also acted at Centre Stage, including as Judy in “9 to 5.”

“The way that Anna-Elyse is embodying Carole King’s piano skills, her vibe, her voice is simply beautiful,” Daniels said.

The musical includes other groups of the time, including The Drifters, The Shirelles and The Righteous Brothers.

“We’ve got an incredible cast, a very dedicated group of people,” Lewis said.