By Dave Begel Contributing Writer Published Feb 09, 2016 at 9:03 AM

One of the most anticipated national touring shows in a long time headlines the series of Broadway tours coming to the Marcus Center next year.

"Beautiful: The Carole King Musical" will wrap up the seven-show Associated Bank Broadway at the Marcus Center series next summer. The show, which chronicles the life of singer-songwriter Carole King, is a Tony and Grammy award-winning production that is right in the slow lane for AARP members, and really anyone. 

The music is memorable, including such hits as "On Broadway" and the ever-memorable "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow." King was recently honored at the Kennedy Center, and Aretha Franklin sang one of King’s biggest hits, "Natural Woman," as King looked on. There are people who say it was just about the greatest live performance of a single song ever. 

If "Beautiful" is one of the hottest touring shows, then "The Book of Mormon" is one of the funniest. The show played to a sold out run last year and will open the series in October with a limited one-week engagement. Tickets are going to go fast for this one.

Other shows coming, in chronological order, are "Elf: The Musical," "The Sound of Music," "The Illusionists: Live From Broadway," "Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella" and "Chicago."

The Marcus Center is the place in Milwaukee to see first class national touring productions. Occasionally you see shows billed as national tours in other venues, but they don’t meet the high quality standards of the Broadway Across America-Milwaukee series.

Information of tickets and showtimes is available here.

Dave Begel Contributing Writer

With a history in Milwaukee stretching back decades, Dave tries to bring a unique perspective to his writing, whether it's sports, politics, theater or any other issue.

He's seen Milwaukee grow, suffer pangs of growth, strive for success and has been involved in many efforts to both shape and re-shape the city. He's a happy man, now that he's quit playing golf, and enjoys music, his children and grandchildren and the myriad of sports in this state. He loves great food and hates bullies and people who think they are smarter than everyone else.

This whole Internet thing continues to baffle him, but he's willing to play the game as long as OnMilwaukee.com keeps lending him a helping hand. He is constantly amazed that just a few dedicated people can provide so much news and information to a hungry public.

Despite some opinions to the contrary, Dave likes most stuff. But he is a skeptic who constantly wonders about the world around him. So many questions, so few answers.