If you’ve ever wondered about the back story to award winning singer Neil Diamond’s phenomenal success then A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical is the stage show for you.
Ditto if you want to hear a super talented cast expertly present many of his best-known hits.
It’s also a great option if you’re a lover of the juke box musical genre popularised by shows such as Jersey Boys as when Diamond agreed to the idea of a Broadway musical about his life he approached friend and long-time producer Bob Gaudio. Gaudio is the man responsible for the Jersey Boys.
After discussions with the show’s writer, Anthony McCarten, it was decided to frame the show in the context of the therapy sessions that Diamond had been undertaking for a number of years.
As Diamond explains: “I loved the idea and never shied away from talking about my years of psychoanalysis. There used to be a stigma around talking about mental health and thankfully through the years, it’s become an important and accepted topic of conversation.”
So A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical starts with a session between Diamond now (Terence Crawford) and his doctor (Monica Sayers).
It seems the sessions are the idea of his third wife Kathy to deal with the unhappiness he feels as a result of not being able to perform any more (Diamond was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2018) and the demons that have haunted him all his life.
With the help of a very large book which features the lyrics of Diamond’s songs, his doctor pushes the older man to relive his life and career. Through his memories we learn how a kid from Brooklyn became a chartbusting, show-stopping American rock icon who sold over 140 million albums.
Bringing those memories to life on stage is the younger Diamond played by Will Swenson.
Gradually we learn of Diamond’s lonely upbringing and his first big break thanks to Ellie Greenwich (played by Hannah Fredericksen who also plays Diamond’s mother Rose).
We also discover his initial fear of performing his songs in front of an audience, his rather questionable record company deal and then his love of touring which saw him continually performing around the world to huge crowds.
We learn the impact of his success on his personal life that being two divorces firstly Jaye Posner (Alana Tranter) and then Marcia Murphey (Ashleigh Rubenach).
As the songs used to illustrate the marriage break downs – Love on the Rocks for Jaye and You Don’t Bring Me Flowers Anymore – suggest, his focus on his career was the main reason.
Interestingly Diamond in his introduction to the show praises both Marcia and Jaye stating: “This story wouldn’t be possible without you.”
As is the case with Love on the Rocks and You Don’t Bring Me Flowers the show also explains the background to many of the other 27 songs featured. Some are presented as snippets, others such as Sweet Caroline are given the full treatment – sometimes more than once!
While the presentation of many of the songs in the first half is more low key as was Diamond early in his career, the second half is far more expressive and flamboyant thanks to his growing confidence. The most spectacular scenes relive his sell-out world concerts.
Just as the staging ramps up so does Swenson’s representation of Diamond. Initially unsure of himself and lacking confidence he transforms into a true showman. At the same time the insecurities displayed by the older Diamond are also there for all to see.
Having played Diamond when the show opened on Broadway in 2022, Swenson has many years’ experience representing the man he tremendously admires and it shows.
At times you feel it is Diamond and not Swenson on stage.
Crawford is similarly believable as a man haunted by his insecurities and history.
Tranter and Rubenach also give fantastic performances showing both their acting and singing talents. Rubenach’s performance of Forever in Blue Jeans was one of numerous show stoppers.
The leads were ably supported by Tim Wright (Fred Weintraub / Tommy O’Rourke), Paul Hanlon (Bert Berns / Kieve Diamond), a cast of talented singers and dancers and a nine-piece band.
As a result A Beautiful Noise offers a thoroughly entertaining and colourful journey down memory lane for those of a certain age who grew up with Neil Diamond. It also provides an insight into the man that many of his fans were most likely unaware of.
A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical is playing at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre until November 7. It then opens at Sydney’s Lyric on November 14. Visit the Beautiful Noise website for tickets and more information.
*Photo credit: Jeff Busby.
Jenny Burns attended the opening of A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical as a guest of the producers.
- live shows, reviews
Subscribe My Newsletter
Unsubscribe at any time.
