After a nearly six-year run, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical will fold on Broadway this fall. Showrunners revealed that the acclaimed musical chronicling the life and career of Carole King will give its final Broadway performance on October 27.
Beautiful first premiered at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre in January 2014 where it earned high praise from critics. It nabbed seven Tony nominations that year, taking home the hardware for Sound Design and Leading Actress (for stage veteran Jessie Mueller, who originated the role).
The jukebox musical details King’s personal and professional life all the way from her teenage years through the release of her 1971 smash album Tapestry. It features some of her biggest hits, including “It’s Too Late,” “You’ve Got A Friend,” and “I Feel The Earth Move,” plus Motown-era songs like “On Broadway,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” and “The Locomotion.”
The news of the show’s closure immediately follows the announcement that the Sara Bareilles-scored musical Waitress will wrap in January. Many new productions have also been axed since the Tony Awards last month, including The Prom, King Kong and revivals of Kiss Me, Kate and All My Sons.
Despite its unexpected closure, Beautiful was one of the most commercially successful shows on the Great White Way in recent years. Billboard reports that the musical has grossed $259 million and been seen by over two million people at the Sondheim Theatre. Throughout its run, high-profile stars have filled the role of the multi-Grammy winner, drawing further sales. Supergirl actress Melissa Benoist played King for a brief stint last summer while recording star Vanessa Carlton is currently in the role through September 1.
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical may be sunsetting on Broadway but can still be seen in theaters around the world. Touring productions were launched in the U.K, Australia and North America, the latter of which is still ongoing.
Find tickets for the the final Broadway performances of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical here.