Austintown grad starring in Carole King musical next month at Powers Auditorium

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – Up until now, the biggest parts in Brooke May’s short theatrical career have been in productions at Austintown Fitch. Come next month, she will take the stage at Powers Auditorium and bring to life the songs of a woman who helped define the Baby Boom generation.

In downtown Youngstown Tuesday evening on what was the stage for the Oakland Theater, the cast of “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” rehearsed.

They were led by May, who will be playing Carole King.

“I am being this real person and that’s definitely a nervousness but also a very nice, new challenge as a performer,” she said.

The 19-year-old Fitch graduate is now a sophomore in musical theater at Youngstown State.

She’s tasked with playing Carole King, whose album “Tapestry” was one of the best-selling of all time. One of May’s favorites — “One Fine Day.”

“Despite her age, she has an incredibly mature voice and her acting chops were much better than I anticipated,” said director John Holt.

May is excited to work with Michael Moritz Jr., a Youngstown native and Tony Award-winning producer.

“That’s something that a lot of people my age who are trying to get into the industry, like, it’s just — I found a pot of gold,” she said.

Before getting the part, May knew of Carole King but didn’t totally understand her.

“I didn’t know the extent of just how much she influenced music that we know today,” May said.

But she’s learning fast.

“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” is being presented by the Youngstown Playhouse. It will be staged August 23 and 24 at 7:30 p.m. and August 25 at 2:30 p.m. at Powers Auditorium in downtown Youngstown.

Tickets are still available, which you can buy online .

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