Katie Brayben leads cast of Beautiful at the Aldwych

Principal casting has been announced for the upcoming West End transfer of the Tony-Award nominated Beautiful - the Carole King Musical, which opens at the Aldwych Theatre on 24 February 2015, following previews from 10 February 2015, where it is booking until 13 June 2015.

Singer-songwriter Katie Brayben will play the title role of Carole King. She will be joined by Alan Morrissey as King's husband and song-writing partner Gerry Goffin, Lorna Want as song-writer Cynthia Weil, Glynis Barber as Genie Klein, King's mother, and Gary Trainor as music publisher and producer Don Kirshner.

The musical is based on the early life and career of legendary singer/songwriter Carole King, and features a book by Douglas McGrath with words and music by Gerry Goffin, Carole King, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.

The original Broadway creative team will reunite for the London production, with direction by Marc Bruni, choreography by Josh Prince, set designs by Derek McLane, costume designs by Alejo Viettii, lighting by Peter Kaczorowski and sound by Brian Ronan. Orchestrations and Music Arrangements are by Steve Sidwell. Beautiful - the Carole King Musical will be produced in London by Paul Blake and Sony/ATV Music Publishing.

The show follows the untold story of Carole King's journey from school girl to superstar; from her relationship with husband and song-writing partner Gerry Goffin, their close friendship and playful rivalry with fellow song-writing duo Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, to her remarkable rise to stardom. Along the way, she became one of the most successful solo acts in music history, and wrote the soundtrack to a generation.

Beautiful - the Carole King Musical features a cast of 26 and an orchestra of 12, bringing the classic soundtrack to life in a brand new way. The score includes the songs "So Far Away", "It Might As Well Rain until September", "Take Good Care of my Baby", "Will You Love Me Tomorrow", "Up on the Roof", "Locomotion", "One Fine Day", "You've Got a Friend", "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" and "I Feel the Earth Move".

Katie Brayben is currently starring in the West End production of 'King Charles III' at the Wyndham's Theatre, and was recently seen in 'American Psycho: A new musical thriller' at the Almeida Theatre. Other musical theatre credits include 'Ragtime' at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, 'Company' at the Southwark Playhouse, and the UK tours of 'Return to the Forbidden Planet' and 'Mamma Mia!'

Glynis Barber is known by TV viewers for roles such as Glenda Mitchell in 'EastEnders', Jean McAtter in 'The Royal', Belinda in 'Family Affairs' and Grace Barrowclough in 'Emmerdale'. Her West End credits include 'And Then There Were None' at the Duke of York's Theatre and 'A Murder is Announced' at the Vaudeville Theatre.

Alan Morrissey was last seen in the West End in 'I Can't Sing' at the London Palladium. His work for the Royal Shakespeare Company includes 'Twelfth Night' and 'As You Like It'.

Lorna Want has most recently played Winnie in 'Annie Get Your Gun' on UK tour. Her West End credits include 'Footloose', 'Evita', 'Parade', 'The Fantasticks' and 'Dreamboats and Petticoats'.

Gary Trainor's theatre credits include 'Potted Potter' at the Garrick Theatre, 'The Shawshank Redemption' at the Wyndham's Theatre, 'The Old Vic New Voices 24 Hour Plays', and 'Into The Woods' at the Landor Theatre.

The Broadway production opened at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre on 12 January 2014, following previews from 21 November 2013 to generally positive reviews. It quickly became one of the highest grossing shows in New York and was nominated for 7 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, with Jessie Mueller taking home the award for Best Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Carole King.

Further casting for the London production is yet to be announced.