“Beautiful: Carole King’s Music Lives

 When I went-to a James Taylor concert in 1971, I was blown away by the opening act. I had never heard of Carole King, but I felt that she had stolen the show.

The next day I went to the record store in Oakland and bought her album, “Tapestry.” The lady standing in line behind me bought the same record. “Going to be a hit,” I thought. I was right.

I bought a piano score of the music and struggled over 4 sharps and 3 flats, but I persisted. I loved the music Twenty years later, I saw her again in Washington, a big star with a large cast on stage.

I thought I saw Carole King again on Sunday at the fantastic show, “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” put on by the Halifax County Little Theatre.

I figured it would be impossible to find someone to play this wonderful singer in a small town like this.

But HCLT did, with Jessica Camp, who sang beautifully in a cast of 28 at The Prizery in South Boston. The mother of three is a licensed professional counselor, but you would think she was a professional singer and actress as well.

 The show brought back memories

of the terrific Prizery Summer Theater shows in the 2010s, in which I appeared six times. They attracted great paid talent from all over the Southeast, brilliant sets and costumes. It all happened again on stage in “Beautiful,” but this time all of the singers were local, and there was an 11-piece live orchestra to boot—no pre-recorded tapes to sing off of.

Well, the show had to be good. Director Victoria Thomasson has been drilling the cast since May, an enormous time commitment. The detailed work also showed in the singing, the costumes, the sets and choreography. The dancing and singing of the Drifters, Shirelles and Chiffons ensembles were marvelous.

Along with Camp, the leading players are Rich Galowitch as Gerry Goffin, Kirk Compton as Barry Mann and Jessica Rose as Cynthia Weil. I give special compliments to Ernelle Bellamy’s sound system because I could understand about every word sung or spoken.

The timing of this play was excellent as The Prizery changes management at the end of the year. It showed that great theater can be performed in a region loaded with hidden talent.

One thing I like especially about Prizery performances: When you are inside, you are in New York. When you walk outside, you get South Boston traffic.

The show continues until Nov. 17.  Check out https://hclt.org/.