Broadway In Chicago: A Beautiful Noise Review
Nick Fradiani as 'Neil - Then' (center) and 'The Noise' in A Beautiful Noise
Broadway In Chicago Presents A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL - A Visit To The Past Sparks Some Enlightenment
TLDR: Framed around the global superstar Neil Diamond unpacking his baggage at therapy, A Beautiful Noise traces his life story from when he started in the music industry, to his love life, and all the way through when he was playing sold out shows to tens of thousands of people. Those that are huge Neil Diamond fans will undoubtedly love hearing his music live and there may be an appeal for those that want a musical that hits them in the feels.
Broadway In Chicago Puts On A Theatrical Concert
An audience member walking into a musical subtitled, The Neil Diamond Musical might expect we’re going to hear a few Neil Diamond songs. If you are one of those folks, you will not be disappointed. We’re treated to a plethora of his songs throughout the show, both ones he’s written and ones he has recorded himself.
In the recording studio, as Diamond listens in on others recording his songs, we get a medley of “The Boat that I Row / Red Red Wine / Kentucky Woman.” After he jumps in and gives his opinion on how the songs should sound, there’s a push to get him to be a star himself. Neil plays “Cracklin’ Rosie” for the first time at the Bitter End coffeehouse and the patrons are roused to their feet.
Of course we get the uplifting, rainbow-hued, sun peeking through the clouds spectacular at the end of Act One with “Sweet Caroline.” Entering the second act, it feels like we are taken to Neil Diamond church where Nick Fradiani is in his full Neil Diamond glory. He is decked out in full preacher-esque sparkle in “Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show.”
It sometimes feels like we’re at a Neil Diamond concert since a lot of the scenes with these songs are scenes where Neil is well, performing.
Tiffany Tatreau as 'Jaye Posner' and Nick Fradiani as 'Neil - Then' in A Beautiful Noise
We’re Going All Out
But let’s go back to the “Brother Love’s” show for a second. Because of the four or five costumes alone during that number, we’re thinking this show must have had a huge budget for rhinestones, lamé, and sparkles. Though Neil starts in his classic all-black number, throughout the show we are dazzled by the array of his show costumes dripping in glittering beads and rhinestones.
Aside from the costumes going all out on the glitz, the cast also felt like they put their all into each of their numbers.
The chorus dubbed as “The Noise” leap across the stage and add a fantastic energy whether they are Diamond’s back-up singers or acting as the chorus.
Hannah Jewel Kohn as Marcia owns the stage during “Forever In Blue Jeans” and we feel her frustration as she sings about just wanting to be close to Neil, it doesn’t matter about the expensive gifts.
And of course Nick Fradiani captures the essence of Diamond putting emotions into each of his songs like he was Neil Diamond himself.
A Break(through) In The Clouds
As Neil - Then, Fradiani seems to have a cloud perpetually hanging over his head. His 1000-watt smile never quite reaches his eyes and he moves through life feeling like the other shoe is about to drop. The women in his life - Jaye (Tiffany Tatreau), Marcia (Kohn), and unseen third wife, Kathy - bring him momentary relief from his melancholy, but even still, we get he has an underlying feeling of not being good enough.
A Beautiful Noise doesn’t dwell too much on heavy emotions, trauma, or other downfalls of Diamond’s life which, one could argue, makes for a good night out at the theatre. But there was enough of that self-doubt tinge permeating throughout the show to let us know there’s something underneath the surface. By the end, we see how the rest of the show was a set-up for that moment when Robert Westenberg as Neil Diamond - Now has his breakthrough moment in therapy. It was definitely a moment where myself and other members of the audience found ourselves teary eyed.
(From left) Nick Fradiani as 'Neil - Then,' Robert Westenberg as 'Neil - Now' and Lisa Reneé Pitts as 'Doctor' in A Beautiful Noise
The After Party Thoughts
I’m just going to come right out and say it, my experience with Neil Diamond goes as far as yelling “BUM BUM BUM” during Sweet Caroline at weddings. So if you’re like me, you might be wondering, should I go see A Beautiful Noise? In my opinion, the writers and Diamond have crafted his story to make it palatable to other audiences by giving us the topline hits of Diamond’s life and the central theme of reflecting.
The other selling point for me was, it feels rare that a man with so much star power would go to therapy to address his demons and be accountable for how he may have hurt people, much less craft a whole show around it. So props to the show for making that a major theme that would be seen by a lot of people. I liked the music and the topline life summary, but it was the breakthrough that really sold me and might resonate with others as well. I honestly wish there was more of that emotional connection throughout.
This is not the first biographical musical that has come to our stages and it won’t be the last. One thing for sure is, Diamond has crafted a show that will ensure his songs will be performed long after he can’t and this cast gives it their all to continue that legacy.
For those that want a little bit more depth to their favorite artists biopics or for those that don’t necessarily want to attend a Neil Diamond concert, this might not be a good fit for you. However, for those who do love Diamond and want to hear some of his songs performed live, A Beautiful Noise was written for you. A Beautiful Noise may also resonate with all you out there that like a good life story with ups and downs and comes to an emotional reconciliation with the self.
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Hannah Jewel Kohn as 'Marcia Murphey' in A Beautiful Noise
When
Now through November 24, 2024
Where
Cadillac Palace Theatre
151 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601
Tickets
$70+
Tickets can be purchased through the Broadway in Chicago website
Photos
Jeremy Daniel
CAST
Nick Fradianii (Neil Diamond - Then)
Robert Westenberg (Neil Diamond – Now)
Hannah Jewel Kohn (Marcia Murphey)
Lisa Reneé Pitts (Doctor)
Michael Accardo (Bert Berns/ Kieve Diamond)
Tuck Milligan (Fred Weintraub/ Tommy O'Rourke)
Kate A. Mulligan (Ellie Greenwich/ Rose Diamond)
Tiffany Tatreau (Jaye Posner)
Cooper Clack (The Noise)
Chris Marsh Clark (The Noise)
Dennis Dizon (Swing)
Dale Duko (The Noise)
Deirdre Dunkin (The Noise)
Rene Mirai Guyon (Swing)
Ginger Hurley (The Noise)
Jer (Swing)
Spencer Donavan Jones (The Noise)
Zoë Maloney (Swing)
Ellen McGihon (The Noise)
Thabitha Moruthane (The Noise)
Tasheim Ramsey Pack (The Noise)
Jeilani Rhone-Collins (The Noise)
Daniela Rodrigo (Swing)
Alec Michael Ryan (Swing)
J’Kobe Wallace (The Noise)
CREATIVE
Neil Diamond (Music & Lyrics)
Michael Mayer (Director)
Steven Hoggett (Choreography)
Anthony McCarten (Book)
David Rockwell (Scenic Design)
Emilio Sosa (Costume Design)
Kevin Adams (Lighting Design)
Jessica Paz (Sound Design)
Luc Verschueren (Hair and Wig Design)
Sonny Paladino (Music Supervision and Arrangements)
Brian Usifer (Music and Dance Arrangements)
AnnMarie Milazzo (Vocal Design)
Bob Gaudio, Sonny Paladino, and Brian Usifer (
Jamie Harrison (illusion consultant)
Kathy Fabian (properties designer)
Jim Carnahan, CSA (casting)