FALL 2025 – BEAUTIFUL: The Carole King Musical
Artistic Team
- ARTISTIC DIRECTOR – RONALD DEBECK
Ronald began his 39-year directing career back in 1985 in the US. Since that time, he has directed some of his favorite musicals such as West Side Story, Jesus Christ Superstar, Into the Woods, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and Les Miserable. Recently he directed Kinky Boots at The Rose Theatre, and The Addams Family at The Woodlands School. He has also had the good fortune of playing some of his favorite characters, including Harold Hill, Miles Gloriousus, and Jamie Lockhart. Since moving to Canada, he has played various roles such as Joseph Pulitzer in Newsies, Harry in Mamma Mia and Georg Von Trapp in The Sound of Music. Currently, Ronald is in his final years as a teacher in Peel and looks forward to working in the Arts in his upcoming retirement. Recently Ronald had the pleasure of playing Franklyn Hart in 9 to 5 with The Encore Series. The School of Rock was his first venture with EMP, and he is grateful to be back with Beautiful!
- ASSISTANT DIRECTOR – DANIEL LALONDE
Daniel Lalonde is thrilled to be making his debut with EMP in this beautiful production that not only celebrates Carole King, but the power of music. In his 20th (!) year teaching Drama in the Peel District School Board, Daniel is constantly inspired by the work of the superstars of tomorrow! Favourite directing credits include RENT, Newsies, The Laramie Project and In the Heights. Daniel is excited to be collaborating once again with the fantastic duo of Ron and Laura!
- MUSIC DIRECTOR – MICHAEL GRIECO
Michael is very pleased to return to EMP as the music director for Beautiful: The Carol King Musical. He just wrapped up a recent production of Tick, Tick….Boom! as the music director and is looking forward to working with a great cast, and an exciting run of Beautiful with great music. Previous music directing highlights over a span of 20 plus years include City of Angels, Crazy For You, Anything Goes, 42nd Street (these 4 for EMP), Miss Saigon, The Who’s TOMMY, The FULL Monty, Into The Woods, among others. Having recently retired after more than 30 years of teaching music in Toronto, Michael keeps himself busy with various endeavours with music directing, playing in the hip horn section as a longtime member of the popular GTA group the Blackboard Blues Band, a freelance trumpet player, along with being a member of various big bands across the city.
- CHOREOGRAPHER – LAURA MONIZ
Laura grew up in gymnastics, and transitioned into dance when she got too tall. She trained through high school and university in a variety of styles, and began teaching in the studio system upon graduation. She choreographed for years at the recreational and competitive level, in a wide range of styles, as well as dancing in musicals across the GTA. These days, Laura is a special education teacher, where she choreographs musicals for high school students, while still dancing in musicals every chance she gets. She is thrilled to be reunited with Ronald and Daniel, and is excited for this new adventure!
- STAGE MANAGER – ANN DENARDIS-TOMCKO
Ann is thrilled to have the opportunity to join this fun artistic team to make this a show to remember. Recent Stage Management credits include Oliver! (2025), School of Rock (EMP 2024), Mamma Mia (TUPA 2024), We Will Rock You (EMP 2023), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (TUPA 2023), 42nd Street (EMP
2022), and Sound of Music (BMT 2022). Ann is a hard working, accountable, creative and, hopefully, fun Stage Manager. She will be responsible for maintaining our rehearsal schedule, ensuring rehearsals are running efficiently but most importantly, she is dedicated to ensuring that all of the technical components come together effortlessly every show to make the cast and the artistic work come to life as intended.
- PRODUCER – MONIQUE LACKEY
After her production debut with School of Rock, Monique is excited to return for her second show with EMP as producer of Beautiful. With a background in elementary education, she’s passionate about using the arts to inspire and empower young minds. Monique has directed and produced student productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Beauty and the Beast Jr., The Lion King Jr., and Frozen Jr., witnessing the confidence and creativity theatre brings out in kids. Inspired by shows like Les Misérables and Come From Away, she values storytelling that connects and uplifts. Monique looks forward to another unforgettable experience bringing theatre to life with EMP
CAST
SHOW TIMES
Friday, October 31st – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 1st – 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 2nd – 2:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 6th – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, November 7th – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 8th – 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 8th – 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 9th – 2:00 p.m
Performances will be held at Meadowvale Theatre
6315 Montevideo Rd
6315 Montevideo Road, Mississauga, ON L5N 4G7 (MAP LINK)
https://www.mississauga.ca/arts-and-culture/locations/meadowvale-theatre/ (THEATRE LINK)
SHOW SYNOPSIS
Before she was hit-maker Carole King — she was Carole Klein, a spunky, young songwriter from Brooklyn with a unique voice. From the chart-topping hits she wrote for the biggest acts in music to her own life-changing, trailblazing success with Tapestry, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical takes you back to where it all began — and takes you on the ride of a lifetime.
Beautiful is the inspiring tale about a girl who became King with a stirring book by the late Oscar and Tony-nominated Douglas McGrath and the music and lyrics of icons Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. Featuring such unforgettable classics as “You’ve Got a Friend”, “One Fine Day”, “So Far Away”, “Take Good Care of My Baby”, “Up on the Roof”, “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling”, “Will You Love Me Tomorrow”, and “Natural Woman”, this Tony® and Grammy® Award-winning musical phenomenon is filled with the songs you remember and a story you’ll never forget.