“The Neil Diamond Musical: A Beautiful Noise” is a delight for your ears, eyes, and heart—an example of Broadway getting it totally right! This new Broadway musical about the journey of singer Neil Diamond lets the audience scratch the surface of what goes on in the life of a music, songwriting, and singing superstar.
The book by Anthony McCarten is masterfully constructed to let you see an older Diamond reflecting on his life and his legendary songs as he struggles with depression and anger while sitting with his therapist.
When a musical can draw you in and then present you with phenomenal, precisely placed performances of beloved songs, including “Cherry, Cherry,” “Cracklin’ Rosie,” “Forever in Blue Jeans,” “I’m a Believer,” “I Am…I Said,” “Love on the Rocks,” “September Morn,” “Song Sung Blue,” “Sweet Caroline,” “America,” and “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” and you get the opportunity to sing along, it will lift your spirits, feedi your soul, and make you feel “so good.”
Watching the story of Diamond’s life, the audience sees a side to this entertainer that I know was new and foreign to me. It is always interesting to consider the lives of people who have become superstars and see behind the lights, concerts, and fame to realize that these are human beings with weaknesses, insecurities, and faults.
The cast of this musical is topnotch. There is something so magnificent in watching Will Swenson play Neil-Now and Mark Jacoby play Neil-Then. You realize, through the penetrating performances that these two men give, that had sadness, anxiety, and fear in his life. You realize that when a performer like Diamond, intensely captured by Swenson, performs a concert, he does not necessarily feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, but instead is always putting pressure on himself.
This musical also demonstrates how people have so many layers to their lives, through their family history, through traumas, and that we truly never know the steps that someone has taken to get to the point in their lives where they are famous—and we don’t know what that fame costs them.
Several performances in this musical are outstanding, including Linda Powell as Diamond’s therapist. Powell brings to this role—what she always brings to her roles—a sensitivity, a believability, and a tenderness.
In his lifetime, Diamond had three wives, but actress Robyn Hurder, who plays Marcia, wife number two, truly delivers an outstanding performance. This actress is flawless on stage and gives a powerhouse delivery.
The choreography by Steven Hoggett flows very well with the songs and the often concert-like experience of the musical. Of course, Michael Mayer’s direction superbly brings every element together. “A Beautiful Noise” features sets by David Rockwell, fabulous costumes by Emilio Sosa, lighting by Keven Adams, and sound by Jessica Paz.
For more info, visit www.abeautifulnoisethemusical.com.
