Prior to seeing this show, I felt I didn’t know much about Neil Diamond. I wasn’t a listener of his music and worried I wouldn’t recognise any songs, except maybe one big popular one. However, I’ve realised you don’t need to be a fan of Neil Diamond to appreciate A Beautiful Noise. And, you know what? I recognised a lot more songs than I thought I would!
With music and lyrics by Neil Diamond, book by Anthony McCarten, directed by Michael Mayer and choreography by Steven Hoggett, comes the excellent biographical jukebox musical, A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical. With Will Swenson returning to the role he originated on Broadway, the Australian premiere production is filled to the brim with phenomenal talent and feels like an open love letter with its heartfelt retelling of the American music legend’s legacy.
The story unfolds via a surprising therapy session where current Neil Diamond is sent to talk out his feelings. As Neil’s story is revealed, so too are the memories, which magically come to life in brilliant song, dance and colours, quite literally popping out of nowhere.
All the songs are present including ‘Song Sung Blue’, ‘Cherry, Cherry’, ‘Cracklin’ Rosie’, ‘You Don’t Bring Me Flowers’, ‘Solitary Man’, and of course, ‘Sweet Caroline’. This musical feels like part interview and part concert from the way it’s structured, and it really works! As a live music fan, I thoroughly enjoyed this structure. Audiences are taken on an intimate journey through time, accompanied with excellent choreography, costuming and timeless music.
We watch a young Neil Diamond go from an awkward, bashful and introverted man, only wearing dark colours and mentally wanting to hide, to a confident king of the stage, adorned in colourful attire, great hair, big energy and lots of sparkle. A Beautiful Noise displays Diamond’s greatest career achievements and personal sorrows. You don’t even have to be a Neil Diamond fan to appreciate this show, but it helps! I also found the story unexpectedly educational, incredibly moving and eye opening.
Terence Crawford plays Neil Diamond – Now and his performance is sensational. The chemistry he also has with Monica Sayers’ Doctor character is great. Often, it feels like Sayers’ is more of a carer and friend than just a therapist. Crawford also has a special moment and surprise that will break your heart.
Hannah Fredericksen is so good as Ellie Greenwich, the industry professional who takes a young Diamond under his wing and gives him a chance to make money off his songwriting. She also doubles as Rose Diamond, Neil’s mother. It is never confusing which character Fredericksen is playing though, with her voice and body language, these transitions appear to come to her with ease.
Alana Tranter is a delight to watch as Jane Posner, and I thoroughly enjoyed whenever Tranter was on stage as Neil’s essential first true love. Etuate Lutui also is a scene stealer with his gorgeous voice and falsetto with his ‘Shilo’ moment. Meanwhile, Ashleigh Rubenach is showstopping as Marcia Murphey and hits it out of the park, particularly shines in the number ‘Forever in Blue Jeans’, whilst she’s strutting her stuff and owning the stage with her captivating presence and vocal prowess. I am not kidding when I tell you, she makes you want to go out a buy some new denim jeans!
And then there’s Will Swenson. The swagger and debonair that he portrays when Neil is performing on stage to his fans in comparison to when he folds into himself off stage, is clear in the body language Swenson possesses as he excellently portrays the complicated musician, but also what a voice! Swenson looks and sounds like Neil! I completely understand why Swenson was chosen to continue to champion the role of Neil Diamond – Then for Australian audiences, and we are very blessed to have him here.
Also, as someone with social anxiety, I really appreciated and loved the way that A Beautiful Noise addresses mental health and anxiety with ‘clouds’. It feels exquisite, poetic and beautiful in its own way. When Swenson’s Neil mentioned of these ‘clouds’, that was something I could feel, right down in my soul. I recognised it, I knew it, I understood it, I related to it, and it made me appreciate Neil Diamond all the more for it.
A Beautiful Noise is not only a gut-wrenching and bitter-sweet story that everyone needs to see (it moved me to tears!), but it makes me want to deep dive into Neil Diamond’s decorated discography, which I am certain is the whole point. A Beautiful Noise lovingly reminds the world of a music legend that has undisputedly earnt every right to be celebrated, whilst introducing new generations to his massive catalogue. A Beautiful Noise is a masterstroke of storytelling and with notable music history documented and exhibited in the best way possible, on the stage.
Hopefully somewhere out there, Mr. Diamond understands that every night while this show is playing in our country, that each rousing applause and standing ovation is still for him.
A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical is currently playing in Melbourne until November 7th 2026 at Princess Theatre. It will then head to Sydney from November 14th and will run until January 2027.
For more information and ticketing, visit:
https://theneildiamondmusical.com.au
https://www.instagram.com/theneildiamondmusicalau
Photography by Grant Alexander.
