KeyBank’s Broadway Series of ‘A Beautiful Noise’ recovers nicely for a win

The opening line of “The Neil Diamond Musical A Beautiful Noise” spoken by Neil – Now (Robert Westenberg) is “This isn’t going to work” and boy was he not kidding. The start of the show was rampant with technical problems. There was problems with the curtain (an electrical cable was hooked around the main show curtain and the curtain kept hitting a prop hanging light). The show was paused as these problems were tended to.

The second pause happened when it discovered that the now disconnected cable was also responsible for additional physical elements that had to be rerouted for power. Then at the end of the first act the curtain refused to lower all the way down (which was handled during intermission). It was rather comical having the ensemble stuck on stage peering out to the audience wondering how to make an elegant exit. Hey, its live theater and stuff happens.

So with the 45 minute double delay how was the show? Needless to say we are dealing with professional performers and they simply took a deep breath and hit their marks. It is truly what live theater is all about...surmounting even the most daunting of challenges so that the show can go on.

“A Beautiful Noise” is a type of jute box musical except this one has more of a story line that delves into the life of Neil Diamond. We learn that the super star suffered from early childhood through adulthood from depression and the only cure was the roar of approval from huge audiences. Nothing else would suffice...not family...not riches...not fame...nothing. So in his wake he left a family he grew up with that was troubled about him, wives and children that fended for themselves while he toured constantly and friends who could not get close to him. His real family was the crew of his shows and the audiences he performed in front of.

In no particular order the show tells of Diamond's growing up in a first generation American family and his early struggles and how composing music was his self administered therapy. The entire show is a meeting between Neil – Now having discussions with a psychiatrist (Lisa Renee Pitts) who use his lyrics to draw the man out of his shell. With the mention of each song a performance is staged by either Neil – Then (Nick Fradiani) or other members of the cast. In all, 29 of his hits are performed in full or in part with each one done flawlessly. All of his monster hits are performed as well as some of his lesser works giving a nice balance to the show.

The show tells of his meeting with Ellie Greenwich (Kate Mulligan) at the Brill Building in 1966 that led to him penning a series of gold record hits before being convinced by Greenwich to perform his own songs. This led to a stint at The Bitter End (a Greenwich Village coffee house famous as the starting off place for many famous singers, groups and comedians). Neil was a hit and his performing career was born that blossomed in later years into stadium shows that boasted thousands in attendance.

The show also delves into Diamond’s three marriages; first to Jaye Posner (Tiffany Tatreau) in 1963, then to Marcia Murphey (Hannah Jewel Kohn) in 1969 followed by a relationship in 1996 to Australian Rae Farley and lastly marriage to Katie McNeil in 2011. There is also a bit about his signing with mob controlled Bert Bern’s Bang Records and his struggle to get out of that contract with a promise of a monster hit. In a crummy motel room in Memphis, TN, inspiration took hold and “Sweet Caroline was the result ending his contract.

In total, Neil Diamond has performed professionally for over 50 years, has sold over 130 million records worldwide, has ten No. 1 singles on the U.S. Billboard hot 100, has 38 songs that reached the top ten, has acted in films and has been inducted in the Song Writers Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame where he also received the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award. He also received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

So how does this show stack up? Well, in spite of the various technical hickups it really is a solid performance. Nick Fradiani as Neil – Then has the look, voice and mannerisms down pat. Lisa Renee Pitts as the Doctor carefully draws out the story from a reluctant Neil – Now who later kills it with a surprising duet with Neil - Then. Kate A. Mulligan as Ellie Greenwich and Rose Diamond (Mom Diamond) is a fireball of energy taking over the stage with each appearance. Neil’s represented ex-wives Tiffany Tatreau as Jaye Posner and Hannah Jewel Kohn as Marcia Murphey are given solo spots that are truly heartfelt. These ladies really know how to get the most out of a Neil Diamond lyrics. Hannah Jewel Kohn rocks the house with “Forever In Blue Jeans”.

In spite of all the pitfalls (more than usual for an opening night) this show is well worth seeing. Whether you are a Diamond fan or not you will find an entertaining story coupled with extremely well produced musical numbers. So Good...So Good...So Good!

The KeyBank Broadway Series production of “The Neil Diamond Musical A Beautiful Noise will be on stage in the Connor Palace Theatre at Playhouse Square through October 27, 2024. For more information and tickets go to www.playhousesquare.org or call (216) 241-6000.