Songs relive bittersweet memories in Neil Diamond musical

The producers of the NEIL DIAMOND musical, A Beautiful Noise faced a challenge when creating a show around the living legend – which of his numerous chart-topping hits from a career that began in the 1960s would they feature.

Fortunately, the musical that opened on Broadway in 2022 and had its Australian premiere at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre on August 8 covers plenty of favourites that the audience loved.

The production is more than a concert – there’s plenty of drama and nostalgia, kicked off with an elderly Diamond (played by Australian actor Terence Crawford) reluctantly being interviewed by his therapist (Monica Sayers).

It’s a clever way of delivering Diamond’s life story, but once his short and surly answers give way to more expansive insights into life, love and the songwriting process, he endears himself to the audience.

However, it’s the classic hit songs that audiences have come to hear as American actor-singer Will Swenson takes centre stage reliving Diamond’s road to success – a role that he played to acclaim on Broadway.

Swenson has a powerful stage presence and a voice that’s a perfect match to the real star as he soon belts out songs such as I’m A Believer that he wrote for The Monkees, Red Red Wine for UB40 and his own early hits including Holly Holy, Cracklin’ Rosie and Cherry, Cherry.

There are 29 songs in the production, with some getting bigger stage treatment than others, especially Brother’s Love Travelling Salvation Show which opens the second act, and the audience-pleasing Sweet Caroline. 

The supporting cast is given time in the spotlight to showcase their talents – Diamond’s high-school sweetheart and first wife Jaye Posner  (Alana Tranter) sings Love on the Rocks, while second wife Marcia Murphey (Ashleigh Rubenach) shines in the up-tempo hit Forever in Blue Jeans and the poignant duet You Don’t Bring Me Flowers which signals the end of their marriage, brought on by Diamond’s non-stop global touring.

As the show progresses, the on-stage therapy sessions have Diamond opening up more about his family history, including his grandparents escape from persecution in Poland and Russia, and growing up as a Jewish boy in Brooklyn enduring a lonely childhood, presented to the sounds of his hit song America from The Jazz Singer movie.

In an emotional scene to the song I Am… I Said, Swenson and Crawford join forces – each sounding like the real Diamond – as the nostalgic musical journey reaches a climax.

The energetic production numbers feature fine costumes and choreography. The opening night audience gave the production a standing ovation as Diamond’s wife Katie joined the cast for a final bow. 

Diamond has a legion of local fans, as evidenced by his many concert tours in Australia between 1976 and 2015 with producer Paul Dainty, and they will love hearing his hits performed in A Beautiful Noise. 

A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical is at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre until November 7 and will then open at Sydney Lyric on November 14. Bookings: https://theneildiamondmusical.com.au