What: The Neil Diamond Musical: A Beautiful Noise
Where: Broadhurst Theatre
235 W. 44th St.
New York, NY
Who: Recommended for Ages 12 and Up
Me- The Neil Diamond Musical: A Beautiful a Noise is an enjoyable show. The songs are good. My favorites were Sweet Caroline and I'm a Believer. Those were the ones I knew before I saw the show, but they are still my favorites. Before I saw the show, I had no idea Neil Diamond wrote those songs. In fact, I didn't know much about him at all. While I learned things about him seeing this show, I do not feel like I learned as much about him as I have about other singers in their bio-musicals. It seemed like they really only skimmed the surface in this show because a lot of it was taken up with scenes between older Neil and his therapist. I didn't find that part as interesting.
I preferred the parts with the younger, Neil as portrayed by Will Swenson. Those parts were more interesting. Will Swenson was really good in the role. He even sounded like Neil Diamond. In general, the acting was good. The dancing and singing were good too. On the whole, I liked the show, but it just felt like it was missing something.
Mom - Although you do, of course, get to relive many of Neil Diamond's greatest hits, some of which you may not even be aware he wrote while watching The Neil Diamond Musical: A Beautiful Noise, you don't really feel like you learn a lot about the man and his life. There are a few small sections in the show when you do learn things about him that you probably didn't know like about his childhood. Those parts are interesting. However, a lot of the show is taken up dealing with his being on the road all the time and his martial strife because of it. While that may have been his life, it's an old familiar story common to many entertainers and not very new and interesting to watch.
However, that does not mean there is nothing to like about this show. Will Swenson does an incredible job in the role of the younger, Neil. If you close your eyes, you would think you were listening to the real thing. Robin Hurder is terrific as well in the role of his put-upon wife, Marsha. Her performance of Forever in Blue Jeans is a highlight of the show.
On the whole, the singing is excellent and the dancing is great too. The talented ensemble definitely gets a workout dancing in this show. Still, there have been quite a few excellent biographical musicals including Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, The Cher Show, Jersey Boys and more so this one has a lot to live up to. Unfortunately, however, it just doesn't quite hit the mark.
And that's our view. Tune in Sunday for this week's Sunday Scoop.
Photo credits:
All The Neil Diamond Musical: A Beautiful Noise production photos by Julieta Cervantes
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