A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical is a jukebox musical that tells the story of Neil Diamond's life and career through his music. The show delves into Diamond's rise to fame, his struggles, and his triumphs, offering an intimate look at the man behind the hits.
Premiere:
The musical premiered on Broadway at the Broadhurst Theatre on December 4, 2022.
Plot Summary:
The narrative is framed around Neil Diamond's therapy sessions, where he reflects on his life. The show features two actors portraying Neil Diamond at different stages of his life: "Neil Diamond-Then" and "Neil Diamond-Now." The story is told through flashbacks, integrating Diamond's iconic songs to illustrate key moments in his life.
Broadway Cast:
- Neil Diamond-Then: Will Swenson
- Neil Diamond-Now: Mark Jacoby
- Jaye Posner: Robyn Hurder
- Marcia Murphy: Jessie Fisher
- Bert Berns: Tom Alan Robbins
- Doctor: Linda Powell
Creative Team:
- Book: Anthony McCarten
- Director: Michael Mayer
- Choreographer: Steven Hoggett
- Orchestrations: Bob Gaudio, Sonny Paladino, Brian Usifer
- Scenic Designer: David Rockwell
- Costume Designer: Emilio Sosa
- Lighting Designer: Kevin Adams
- Sound Designer: Jessica Paz
- Hair and Wig Designer: Luc Verschueren
- Music Supervision and Arrangements: Sonny Paladino
- Incidental Music and Dance Music Arrangements: Brian Usifer
- Vocal Design: AnnMarie Milazzo
Neil Diamond songs:
The musical features a wide range of Neil Diamond's greatest hits, including:
- "Sweet Caroline"
- "America"
- "Cracklin' Rosie"
- "Song Sung Blue"
- "Love on the Rocks"
The Broadway production has been praised for its energetic performances, particularly by Will Swenson as "Neil Diamond-Then." The show's engaging choreography, dynamic staging, and the emotional depth brought to Diamond's story have also been highlighted by critics.