By Annie Mallamaci
The music of Neil Diamond has cemented its place as an icon of popular culture. At sporting events, weddings and parties around the world, when a crowd of people hears the familiar, “Hands touchin’ hands, reachin’ out, touching me, touchin’ you,'' excitement builds until it’s irresistible– “Sweet Caroline,” is followed by a spirited “Bum, bum, bum!” from the crowd. In a moment like this, it’s hard not to believe in the magic of music and its ability to lift the spirits of entire communities. In a moment like this, being human feels, “So good, so good, so good.”
With a catalog of music so popular–earning him an induction into the Songwriters and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame, a Grammy® Lifetime Achievement Award, Kennedy Center Honors, and sold-out concerts around the world that made him bigger than Elvis–it seems as though everyone has heard a Neil Diamond song, whether they realize he’s the artist or not. After such an expansive career, it’s no surprise that Neil’s story has made its way to the Broadway stage, where the lives of the biggest stars are turned into musical memoirs.
This energy-filled production is more than just your typical “jukebox musical.” Ken Davenport, the Tony Award®-winning producer behind A Beautiful Noise, said in an interview with Broadway Direct, “We always knew the music would get people excited and would draw people in. Neil’s music has a lasting appeal. But, what’s exciting to us is how much the story has gotten to people.”
The audience is not only wowed by a larger-than-life Neil Diamond concert experience and taken on a trip down memory lane with nostalgic music, costumes and sets. They are pleasantly surprised by the profound nature of the show. Michael Mayer, the director of the Broadway production, said in an interview with Eye For Film, “I think people don’t expect that it will be as moving as it is.”
Oscar nominee Anthony McCarten, who is known for writing biographical films (Bohemian Rhapsody, The Theory of Everything, I Wanna Dance With Somebody), was chosen to write the script. Though this was his first time writing for the stage, his connection to Neil made him the perfect fit. “My mother, my whole childhood, had two pictures on the mantelpiece: one was of the Pope and one was of Neil Diamond,” said McCarten in an interview with Broadway.com.
The musical, which takes place after his retirement from touring due to a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, is framed around conversations with his therapist. As Neil looks back on pivotal moments throughout his life, the audience travels through the decades as they witness Neil’s humble beginning playing gigs in New York City, to his rise to superstardom and status as a world-renowned songwriter. Upon reflecting on his extraordinary career, Neil is faced with the poignant question: as his health deteriorates, can he find meaning and contentment in his life without performing?
In an episode of Sunday Morning on CBS, Neil himself explained that he wanted his truth to be represented in the show, in good times and in bad. “I didn’t necessarily love it, warts and all, but I wanted it. This is how I wanted my story to be told,” he said, after watching flashbacks of his life retold onstage, for thousands of eyes to witness.
Bob Gaudio (whose career with the Four Seasons was turned into the Broadway hit Jersey Boys) is also a producer on A Beautiful Noise. “How come we can get a show and [Neil] hasn't yet?” joked Gaudio about the creation of the Neil Diamond musical. “He was very happy about getting that going and he was a big part of it. It’s about his story. It’s a powerful show and I’m proud of it.”
A Beautiful Noise not only celebrates the prodigious career of a musical icon but also reaffirms the timeless bond between artist and audience. In the melodies of Neil Diamond, we find not only a soundtrack to our lives, but also a beautiful reminder of community. With smiles on their faces (and tears in their eyes!), the audience just can’t help but sing along. Just as "Sweet Caroline" has a special, universal way of bringing people together, this musical retelling of Neil's story resonates deeply with audiences, bringing fans, old and new, an understanding of the man behind the music.