MHMT’s upcoming production challenges its cast as they explore the life of Carole King

By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on April 9, 2026.

asmith@medicinehatnews.com

The life of one of the world’s most successful songwriters hits the Medicine Hat Musical Theatre stage this month, as the playhouse takes on Beautiful: the Carole King Musical.

Beautiful is a jukebox musical covering the early life of the woman herself, from her start as a teenage songwriter through to creating and selling some of the best records the music industry has ever seen, says director Lyn Weisgerber.

In addition to being a tribute to King, it is also a love letter to longtime member of the Medicine Hat Musical Theatre community and dear friend of the playhouse, Tyler Johnson, who passed away last October.

“I had started working with him on it, since he was originally going to direct it. I was going to kind of be the person that he bounced ideas off of, and just wanted to, because I’ve done a lot of musicals, so he kind of wanted me to be kind of his sounding board,” said Weisgerber.

She says that after his passing, his mother asked her to step in and continue the work on the performance. Weisgerber said she is doing her best to fulfil Johnson’s vision for Beautiful and see it done well as he would have wanted.

“I’m really grateful, it’s been wonderful. This cast is very talented, I couldn’t have asked for better leads,” said Weisgerber. “The music, especially the large group numbers, they sound like a professional recording.”

The show itself is an interesting experience, as unlike many shows where the characters are fictional, actors are asked to portray the mannerisms and personalities of King and other very real people.

“It has honestly been challenging, but the most rewarding role I’ve ever played,” said Jordan Kopec, who is playing King. “I really dove into just understanding the highs and lows of her life, her artistry, the way she sings. She has quite a unique voice.”

While Kopec has been in multiple shows and studied voice for more than 10 years, the way she sings is much different from the extremely well known voice of King, presenting a new way for her to push herself as a musical theatre actress.

“I see a lot of myself in Carol, with facing adversities in my own life,” said Kopec. “Being able to play someone who I admire so much, in how she really faces everything with so much positivity and love, getting to walk in her shoes on stage, it’s been incredible.”

The show opens April 24 at 8 p.m. Subsequent shows, all at 8 p.m., run April 25, 29, 30, as well as May 1, 2 and 6-9.

As of the time of writing, the show is roughly 70 per cent sold out, but both Kopec and Weisgerber encourage anyone interested to move quickly to secure seats before the last-minute rush. Tickets are available online at mhmtheatre.com for $60.

“People will be very surprised when they come to see the show, because I don’t want to spoil all of the songs, but it’s amazing how much Carole King wrote,” said Kopec. “You’re going to hear amazing music, you’re going to see amazing dances, as well as just fun characters. You’re going to laugh, you’re going to cry, but you’re going to leave feeling good.”

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