The story of the legendary Neil Diamond comes to life on stage in an uplifting new musical featuring all his hit songs, including “Sweet Caroline,” “America,” and “Cracklin’ Rosie.” From those exhilarating early days in New York to the sold-out spectacles that defined his career, A Beautiful Noise explores the life of a rock icon through the music that made him “a national treasure” (Los Angeles Times).
Directed by Tony Award® winner Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening, Hedwig and the Angry Inch), choreographed by Olivier Award winner Steven Hoggett (Once, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), and written by four-time Academy Award nominee Anthony McCarten (Bohemian Rhapsody, The Two Popes), A Beautiful Noise is a thrilling look at an artist’s search for himself and a celebration of the enduring power of his music.
As a fifth grader when “Song Sung Blue” became a hit in 1972, I didn’t know Neil Diamond from Neil Simon, but the song became an obsession. Its juxtaposition between major and minor chords — moving from happy to sad and back — fascinated me. The fingering of the song’s basic guitar chords remains embedded in my brain more than 40 years on.
A stellar supporting cast is assembled here in the first act (this psychological look at the Diamond persona reminded me a bit of the musical MJ) including an affecting quiet performance by Lisa Reneé Pitts as the therapist. A highly captivating performance by Hannah Jewel Kohn steals the show as Ms. Kohn “knocked it out of the park” with magnetic stage presence and a sensational soaring voice. As wife Marcia Murphey, Ms. Kohn delivered a poignant rendition of “Play Me” and a scintillating powerhouse delivery of “Forever in Blue Jeans.”
2022 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
2024 | US Tour |
North American Tour US Tour |
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