KAYLA RIVERA is currently based in Calgary, Canada where she just obtained her college degree. She last appeared in a musical here in Manila last year in “Side Show”. Now, she’s coming back to play the title role in “Beautiful, The Carole King Musical”, produced by Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group.
“I feel so honored to be chosen by Director Bobby Garcia to play the title role no less in ‘Beautiful’,” she says. “The music of Carole King is timeless and simply touches the heart and soul of listeners. She is a true inspiration and it is such a blessing to be trusted with this role. I can't wait to share her art and her deep love for music with Filipino audiences."
Kayla grew up in Canada but came home in 2011 to join the talent search “Star Power” hosted by Sharon Cuneta. In the same year, she made her professional musical theater debut in "In the Heights." She has since appeared in "Aladdin," "The Addams Family," "Rock of Ages," “Carrie” and "Side Show." She will be joined in "Beautiful" by Nick Varricchio, a Broadway actor from New York who has appeared in “Saturday Night Fever” and “Chorus Line”.
He will be playing Carole's writing partner and husband, Gerry Goffin. Also in the Mikee Volante as Cynthia, Carole's rival.
With a book by Douglas McGrath, "Beautiful" tells the inspiring true story of Carole King and "one woman's remarkable journey from being a teenage songwriter to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee." It premiered in San Francisco in October 2013 and opened in Broadway in January 2014. It was nominated for seven Tony Awards including Best Musical and also got nominated in London's Olivier Awards.
Carole King has firmly established herself as one of pop music's most gifted and successful composers. She has won four Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Her music will definitely stir joyous memories for those who grew up in the glorious era of the ‘70s.
This musical features the classics “You’ve Got a Friend,” "Some Kind of Wonderful", ”One Fine Day,” ”It’s Too Late,” ”You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” and “Will You Love Me Tomorrow.” Other songs in the musical are "Oh Carol", "Bebop a Lula", "On Broadway", "The Locomotion", "A Natural Woman" and "I Feel the Earth Move".
These timeless hits have influenced many of today’s musical artists who claim that they were influenced by Carole King’s music. Covers and samples of her songs can be heard across genres, spreading her sound throughout the music scene. The local adaptation will open at Meralco Theatre in Pasig on June 14 and will run until July 7, 2019. Tickets are now available at TicketWorld.com.ph or call 891-999.