A Beautiful Noise, a jukebox musical of Neil Diamond songs, farmed by a series of therapy sessions between Neil Diamond and his therapist. Diamond’s wife, Katie, persuaded her husband to seek help after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and could not tour anymore. As you might suspect, Neil Diamond is bitter at the drastic changes in his Life and for many of the therapy sessions, Diamond is a hostile client.
But the counselor manages to get Neil Diamond to open up on his long career…and what that success cost him. I knew about some of Neil Diamond’s problems but learned a lot about the ones he kept hidden…except in some of his songs.
Will Swenson (Audra McDonald’s husband), who plays the “young” Neil Diamond in this production, has the dual advantages of both sounding like Neil Diamond and looking like him, too. I loved the scene of Neil Diamond trying to get a job at the Brill Building. Diamond want to change his name but Ellie Greenwich (Bri Sudia) manages to dissuade him and then launches an impromptu audition—two minutes long! Diamond fumbles around while Greenwich rejects his first song attempts, but with only 20 seconds left, Neil Diamond starts singing “I’m A Believer” and a star is born.
A Beautiful Noise takes a chronological approach to Neil Diamond’s long career: the disastrous recording contract with the Mob-run Bang Records, the constant touring, the world-wide success, the failed marriages, and the fatal disease. All along the way, the great music is the one constant in this story.
Most of the audience for A Beautiful Noise were Senior Citizens, but many of them were clearly veterans of multiple Neil Diamond concerts as they knew when to raise their hands, clap along with the songs, and sing “Sweet Caroline.” If you enjoy this music, I recommend A Beautiful Noise. Are you a Neil Diamond fan? Any favorite songs? GRADE: A–
SONG LIST:
1. Opening Montage
2. A Beautiful Noise
3. Neil Pitches Songs: I’ll Come Running / I Got The Feelin’ (Oh No, No) / I’m A Believer (Medley)
4. I’m A Believer
5. Demo Medley: The Boat That I Row / Red Red Wine / Kentucky Woman (Medley)
6. Kentucky Woman
7. Into The Bitter End
8. Solitary Man
9. Cracklin’ Rosie
10. Song Sung Blue
11. Cherry, Cherry / September Morn’ (Medley)
12. Love On The Rocks
13. Hello Again
14. A Heavenly Progression
15. Sweet Caroline
16. Entr’acte
17. Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show
18. Play Me
19. Forever In Blue Jeans
20. Stadium Medley: Soolaimon / Thank The Lord for the Night Time / Crunchy Granola Suite (Medley)
21. You Don’t Bring Me Flowers
22. Brooklyn Roads / America (Medley)
23. Shilo
24. I Am… I Said
25. Holly Holy
Not a fan. I like some of his early stuff-Cherry, Cherry, Solitary Man, Red Red Wine, I’m a Believer. Detest You Don’t Bring Me Flowers and most of his later songs. And so sick of Sweet Caroline.
Steve, I’m with you on Neil Diamond’s early hits like “Red, Red Wine” and “Cherry, Cherry”–clearly Diamond was into repetition at that stage.
I like many of his songs—my favorites being “Crackling Rosie” and “Cherry Cherry”—but I’ve never seen him in concert and I don’t think this show would be my cup of tea.
Deb, the insights about Neil Diamond’s Life propel much of this musical. The songs fit into the storyline.
Agree with Steve and Deb. When I think of top of the pops in 1966-67, I usually think of Diamond. One of his best early songs, “Brooklyn Roads,” is sadly forgotten.
Fred, Neil Diamond makes a big deal about being from Brooklyn. I’m surprised “Brooklyn Roads” wasn’t included in the musical.
Never paid much attention to him. A good song now and then but I’ve always been baffled by the adulation of his fans and really hope to never hear “Sweet Caroline” again. Assuming it’s the song covered by the vastly underrated Monkees, I do like “I’m a Believer” and didn’t know Diamond wrote it.
Michael, I would say the adulation of Neil Diamond fans parallels the adulation of Jimmy Buffett fans.
My parents loved him so much how could I not know his music. But for me is voice is too synthetic sounding. Even in his best songs, someone else might sing it better. Like the Monkees with “I’m a Believer.” There is not enough grit in it.
Patti, we have friends who have attended over a dozen Neil Diamond concerts over the years. They would love A BEAUTIFUL NOISE.
The song may be musical crap, but as one who grew up just outside of Boston, I’ll join in singing Sweet Caroline very loudly, anytime, anywhere.
Jerry, the sold-out audience of A BEAUTIFUL NOISE loved to sing “Sweet Caroline” TWICE in the musical. And, these were NOT Red Sox fans!
I like some of his songs but Jackie dislikes Neil. My favorite story was when Dave Barry made fun of his “I Am…I said” (“And no one heard at all, not even the chair”) in a column, after which he got intense hate mail and death threats. He eventually used that to turn out one of his funniest books, DAVE BARRY’S BOOK OF BAD SONGS (which I highly recommend).
Back to Neil. Can’t stand “Sweet Caroline” due to the Reds Sox connection and endless repetition. Like Cherry Cherry and Solitary Man and I’m a Believer.
Hate I Am…I Said, You Don’t Bring Me Flowers, other late stuff.
Definitely not for us. Glad you enjoyed it.
Jeff, I thought A BEAUTIFUL NOISE was an informative, entertaining jukebox musical…if you like Neil Diamond songs. Like Steve, I like Diamond’s early songs more than his later songs, but I think framing the musical with Neil Diamond therapy sessions where he has to deal with his Parkinson’s disease gives Diamond’s story and songs more weight.
Diamond always has struck me as a smug SOB (much as has Fisher Stevens), very off-putting. “Solitary Man ” is probably the catchiest of his hits for me, not great, and I did like Mickey Dolenz’s vocal on “Believer” pretty well, but it’s not my favorite Monkees’ record. “Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon” is enough to make me give up on anyone by itself. Not even sure I’m all that sorry he’s suffered, given how unimpressive a figure his public persona has been to me.
Wow, I’d have to say this is the Most universal non-sharing of enthusiasm I’ve seen so far, unless my unreliable memory is failing me at this point. Glad it was a good night out, and enlightening!
Todd, Diane and I were surrounded by adoring Neil Diamond fans watching A BEAUTIFUL NOISE. Like all jukebox musicals, if you don’t like the artist featured or the songs…then it’s not for you.
I like some of his songs, and enjoy bomp bomp bomping to sweet caroline.
I have a live album, possibly from 2005 and it is very rought to listen to on some songs.
doubt I’d enjoy this too much
He’s for old ladies!