“There are two types of people in this world,” said Bill Murray in the 1991 Frank Oz–directed film What About Bob? “Those who like Neil Diamond, and those who don’t.”
Unless you’re part of that first group, frankly, you have no business being in the Broadhurst Theatre for The Neil Diamond Musical: A Beautiful Noise, the unabashed fan-fest that pays homage to the shy Brooklyn boy turned world-famous singer-songwriter who gave us such hits as “America,” “Cracklin’ Rosie,” “Song Sung Blue,” and “Sweet Caroline.” Some theatergoers can hum a song or two; some know all the standards and have a few albums; and some are Diamond Heads who will debate for days over which is his best, 1971’s Stones or 1972’s Hot August Night (my vote goes to the latter, a raw, guts-and-grit live recording from L.A.’s Greek Theatre). Whatever their level of love for the artist sometimes known as the Jewish Elvis, these people want to hear their savior sing. And sing. And sing. The good news is that A Beautiful Noise, directed by Michael Mayer, is more of a concert than MJ, Ain’t Too Proud, The Cher Show, Tina, Summer, Beautiful, Jersey Boys, or any of its bio-musical predecessors. Even better news: Will Swenson (Hair, Priscilla: Queen of the Desert) is sensational as the guitar-strumming, chart-topping, stadium-playing young Diamond. And yes, there is a “Sweet Caroline” singalong.
[Read Frank Scheck’s ★★★☆☆ review here.]
“Sweet Caroline” lands right before intermission, and the whole scene is so good (So good! So good! So good!) that this New Yorker almost forgot the song is the anthem for the Boston Red Sox. Book writer and biopic veteran Anthony McCarten (The Theory of Everything, Darkest Hour, Bohemian Rhapsody), also represented on Broadway this season by the Warhol-Basquiat play The Collaboration, places the songs thoughtfully, and for maximum emotional effect: Diamond’s first live performance is acoustic, the melancholy slow burn “Solitary Man.” As his confidence grows onstage, his numbers get bigger and glitzier. Act 2 opens with the wild, soulful “Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show,” featuring the singer in full razzle-dazzle, sequin-and-tassel mode and the chorus shimmying for dear life. Combining “Brooklyn Roads” with “America” is a stroke of genius (though bringing in Neil’s bickering parents between verses dampens the mood). And the existential power ballad “I Am…I Said” gets the spot it deserves, as the 11 o’clock number, where it’s sung by Mark Jacoby as present-day Neil, with Swenson joining in at the end.
Jacoby’s character is, regrettably, little more than a device—the foundation of the show’s flimsy libretto: Forced into retirement by the onset of Parkinson’s disease, older Neil is an extremely reluctant, very sulky therapy patient, so his doctor (Linda Powell) uses a book of his song lyrics to get him to open up. Suddenly we’re in the Brill Building, where an awkward young Neil is peddling his tunes to Ellie Greenwich (Bri Sudia). Then we’re in his living room, with him, his wife Jaye (Jessie Fisher), and a gold record. Then we’re at the Bitter End, where he meets Marcia—played by Moulin Rouge! Tony nominee Robyn Hurder, who does more with “Forever in Blue Jeans” than you could ever imagine (choreographer Steven Hoggett gives her a bit of a “Music and the Mirror” moment)—soon to be his wife of 25 years. Neil and the doctor stick around to comment, offer narrative here and there, and provide context. And for some reason, assorted ensemble members (aka The Noise) periodically wander over and hang out next to their overstuffed chairs.
Diamond himself has been very open about his experiences with psychoanalysis; he even discusses it in a program note. But therapy sessions are inherently rather boring, and some of these exchanges feel more like obstacles to overcome than pathways to memories. Case in point: “I Am…I Said” is a show-stopping moment, but first we need to trudge through a scene dissecting the lyrics.
Also, as previously mentioned, there is a “Sweet Caroline” singalong. There’s one in “Song Sung Blue” too. But please, for the love of all that’s Holly Holy, do not sing along to “I Am…I Said.”
The Neil Diamond Musical: A Beautiful Noise opened Dec. 4, 2022, at the Broadhurst Theatre. Tickets and information: abeautifulnoisethemusical.com
