Review Roundup: National Tour of A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL

A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical officially launched its First National Tour at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) in Providence, RI on September 24, 2024. Read the reviews!

Nick Fradiani plays ‘Neil Diamond – Then’ in the national tour directly from playing the role on Broadway since October 2023. He won the title of “American Idol” in 2015 and has since released his debut album “Hurricane” in 2016, featuring the hit single “Beautiful Life.” “Past My Past,” Fradiani’s second solo album, was released in 2022. Joining Fradiani is Tony Nominee Robert Westenberg (Neil Diamond – Now), Hannah Jewel Kohn (Marcia Murphey), Lisa Reneé Pitts (Doctor), Michael Accardo (Bert Berns/ Kieve Diamond), Tuck Milligan (Fred Weintraub/ Tommy O'Rourke), Kate A. Mulligan (Ellie Greenwich/ Rose Diamond) and Tiffany Tatreau (Jaye Posner). 

Rounding out the company as “The Noise” are Cooper Clack, Chris Marsh Clark, Dennis Dizon (Swing), Dale Duko, Deirdre Dunkin, Rene Mirai Guyon (Swing), Ginger Hurley, Jer (Swing), Spencer Donavan Jones, Zoë Maloney (Swing), Ellen McGihon, Thabitha Moruthane, Tasheim Ramsey Pack, Jeilani Rhone-Collins, Daniela Rodrigo (Swing), Alec Michael Ryan (Swing) and J’Kobe Wallace.

Created in collaboration with Neil Diamond himself, A BEAUTIFUL NOISE is the uplifting true story of how a kid from Brooklyn became a chart-busting, show-stopping American rock icon. With 120 million albums sold, a catalogue of classics like "America," "Forever in Blue Jeans," and "Sweet Caroline," an induction into the Songwriters and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame, a Grammy® Lifetime Achievement Award, and sold-out concerts around the world that made him bigger than Elvis, Neil Diamond's story was made to shine on Broadway-and head out on the road across America. 

Let's see what the critics have to say!

Jay Pateakos, BroadwayWorld: "A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical" is a near-perfect stroll down memory lane for many of us, a reunification of the songs that made us during times we needed them the most. The production features a remarkable 29 of Diamond's best hits. We may have been robbed of seeing Diamond, 83, ever play again with his 2018 Parkinson's Diagnosis, but this musical brings it all back. You'll marvel at how incredible Fradiani is as Diamond, "Play Me" was a close second to "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" in how Fradiani mastered the Diamond tone. But you'll also love Diamond's journey to stardom and how money isn't everything. Sometimes, we all have to stop running one day. And Diamond didn't learn that lesson too late, which gives all of us hope.

Ken Abrams, What's Up Newp: There were no real weaknesses in the production, although some of the popular songs felt a bit forced at times, a bit perfunctory, while more introspective tunes like “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers,” a duet with Fradiani and Kohn, shined bright. The narrative structure of the story presents the songs in context – Who else could write a singalong blues song (“Song Sung Blue”) that just makes you want to smile? The show stands out as one the stronger productions in the recent flurry of jukebox musicals, bio-musicals of artists and bands, a genre that schools new fans and brings boomer memories back as their real-life icons slowly fade into history. Don’t miss it!

John Fuzek, Motif: You will hear many of Diamond’s hits throughout the evening and most are sung by Nick Fradiani, though occasionally other cast members will take the lead if the song is used for a particular reason, such as a relationship breakup. “Shilo,” “Solitary Man,” “America,” Cherry, Cherry,” “I Am, I Said,” “Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show,” “Red, Red Wine,” “Play Me,” and many of his best-known songs are all part of the musical. A Beautiful Noise is one of those Broadway musical experiences where if you can score a ticket, you should definitely go. You won’t be sorry.

Nancy Sasso Janis, Patch: Fradiani fully embodies the role of Neil Diamond as he navigates his career. The talented actor, the first American Idol winner from the Northeast, replaced Will Swenson in the role on Broadway and was in the national tour of “A Bronx Tale.” He sings Diamond's classic hits perfectly, often playing guitar onstage, and often seems to be singing directly to a member of the audience. In his bio, he thanks his parents for taking him to his first concert at three years old to see Neil Diamond.

Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant: Connecticut’s own Nick Fradiani brings “America” crooner Neil Diamond to stolid, sultry life in the first national tour of “A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical,” a jukebox musical that not only zips through dozens of Diamond hits but plumbs the depths of the sequin-bedazzled singer/songwriter’s psyche.

Roy Berko, BroadwayWorld: Nick Fradiani, the winner of the 2015 American Idol television competition, who effectively stars as Neil-then, carries the majority of the role’s singing, dancing and acting. He is charismatic, has an excellent voice and looks and sounds like the superstar.

Glenn Anderson, Cleveland's Star 102: All in all, it was a tremendous journey through song and story and I’m so glad it is here in Cleveland. Super fan, fan, or maybe you just played all the karaoke tunes on YouTube on the way home from the show to realize your appreciation. A Beautify Noise doesn’t disappoint.

Rob Levy, BroadwayWorld: Mimicking his voice with precision, Fradiani’s charisma propelled the show, especially during a stunning rendition of Sweet Caroline that ends Act One and a pulsating America that rocks Act Two.

Dennis Polkow, New City Stage: “Noise” shows the toil involved and sugarcoats nothing. The Act I finale has him composing in a broken-down motel room at one of his most down-and-out moments only to stumble upon “Sweet Caroline.” That same number is also used at the end of the show, a sequined young and old Diamond singing it together with the full cast and the audience joining in.

Catey Sullivan, Chicago Sun Times: As a fifth grader when “Song Sung Blue” became a hit in 1972, I didn’t know Neil Diamond from Neil Simon, but the song became an obsession. Its juxtaposition between major and minor chords — moving from happy to sad and back — fascinated me. The fingering of the song’s basic guitar chords remains embedded in my brain more than 40 years on.

Michael Woody, Dayton Local: For a show heavy in music, there’s nobody better to do all the lifting than Nick Fradiani. His voice is stronger than a Kentucky Woman (I hear they are tough). The 2015 winner of American Idol, Fradiani perfectly duplicates the magical sound of Diamond’s voice. He’s as close as you are ever going to get to hearing the real Diamond himself. Fradiani should maybe change his name to Ruby or Sapphire, because he’s a valuable gem himself.

David Friscic, BroadwayWorld: A stellar supporting cast is assembled here in the first act (this psychological look at the Diamond persona reminded me a bit of the musical MJ) including an affecting quiet performance by Lisa Reneé Pitts as the therapist. A highly captivating performance by Hannah Jewel Kohn steals the show as Ms. Kohn “knocked it out of the park” with magnetic stage presence and a sensational soaring voice. As wife Marcia Murphey, Ms. Kohn delivered a poignant rendition of “Play Me” and a scintillating powerhouse delivery of “Forever in Blue Jeans.”

Dan DeLuca, Philadelphia Inquirer: The show works partly because Fradiani is believable enough as Diamond goes from wracked-with-doubt — he thinks “Neil Diamond” is a lousy stage name — to being bedazzled with sequins as he earns his “Jewish Elvis” nickname in the 1970s. But the best reason for Diamond fans to see A Beautiful Noise is Fradiani’s booming voice, whether on the schmaltzy “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers,” the rousing immigrant anthem “Coming to America,” or “Sweet Caroline.”

Gary Graff, The Oakland Press: What the production does have, however, is…well, the “Noise,” and one that’s gloriously rendered by this first national company. If you’re a Diamond fan “A Beautiful Noise” is a welcome stand-in, sequins and all, for what used to be the regular concert tours, with “America’s Got Talent” 2015 winner Nick Fradiani (as Neil (Then)) offering an uncanny vocal impersonation of the star, from the first line of the opening title song to the majestic “Holly Holy” that closes the show. Fradiani isn’t called upon to do much in the way of acting, but he embodies the man in such an authoritative manner that you just know he’ll be “playing” Diamond long after his run with the show ends.

Jeffrey Kare, BroadwayWorld: For my first show of 2025, A Beautiful Noise was ‘so good, so good, so good!’ Baby boomers may get the most out of it, but youngsters should still find themselves toe-tapping countless times throughout the night. This not only serves as a nice throwback to a bygone era, but also as an empowering tribute to a music icon.

Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel: As he goes from a Brill Building beginner to international superstar, Neil Diamond's facets hit the spotlight, some of them funny and endearing, some not-too-flattering.

Seth Kubersky, Orlando Weekly: However, the joyful ebullience of sing-along classics like "Cherry Cherry" and "I'm a Believer" is repeatedly interrupted by framing scenes of an elderly Diamond (Robert Westenberg) dourly reflecting on his past under the prodding of his psychoanalyst (Lisa Renee Pitts). Although potentially an intriguing premise, Anthony McCarten's book doesn't delve much deeper into Diamond's biography beyond his Wikipedia entry, and its 11th-hour exploration of his foundational generational trauma is given shockingly short shrift.

MARIJA, B1039: To say I was blown away is an understatement. I had been to this venue previously for concerts, most recently, Alice Cooper, but it was my first time seeing a musical there and I will most definitely be back. For fans of Neil Diamond, or even for those who casually enjoy his music, this is a show to get a ticket for as soon as possible.

Larry Toppman, The Charlotte Ledger: The fan in me didn’t mind all that and appreciated the chance to hear a deep and varied songbook performed with skill, energy and new orchestrations. And the people who see the show at Belk Theatre this week in its Broadway Lights incarnation will undoubtedly be fans.

Scott Rawson, BroadwayWorld: The show was fantastically entertaining. I and the people around me left the theater singing, humming, and dancing. But we also left with a much deeper understanding of Neil Diamond’s songs and lyrics and a greater appreciation for the man behind the American idol, and of our shared humanity.

Jim Higgins, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Ah, but the music in this show is so good, so good. As the younger Diamond, 'American Idol' winner Nick Fradiani sounds uncannily like Neil and brings rock-star presence to everything. He gives us Diamond's progression from a shy songwriter with a guitar to a showman who commanded spectacular arena concerts.

Marin Heinritz, Revue: And it’s a delight. Whether you’re a Neil Diamond fan, just someone who can’t help chiming in whenever you hear 'Sweet Caroline' in a crowd, or even if you roll your eyes at the idea of Adult Contemporary hits, the songs are unassailable. Diamond wrote some brilliant tunes, and Nick Fradiani, the 2015 American Idol winner, channels Diamond’s voice as well as his conflicted spirit. Morose and depressed in his personal life but ebullient as a stage presence, he captures the 'velvet wrapped in gravel' and wonderful phrasing unique to Diamond’s singing—without veering into cheap imitation. Fradiani’s performance is extraordinary, and his success is ultimately what makes this show so utterly enjoyable.

Anthony Higgins, Buffalo Rising: If you’ve seen Jersey Boys or Beautiful, you might walk into A Beautiful Noise expecting a similarly satisfying blend of drama and musical revelation. And while this production brings energy, spectacle, and a powerhouse cast, it doesn’t quite strike the same emotional chord

Michael Rabice, BroadwayWorld: A BEAUTIFUL NOISE utilizes the device of Diamond and his 'Doctor' (psychologist) seated at the outset in comfy leather chairs... Through gentle probing, the composition of those lyrics form a springboard for Neil to tell his life's story. These two characters are on stage at all times, witnessing, commenting and mingling with the action as the life of Neil-Then unfolds.

Richard Sanford, Columbus Underground: "That sense of excitement being brought to a pitch and then slammed back down is a hallmark of A Beautiful Noise in general. It’s so heavily focused on Neil Diamond being unhappy – the structure implies a detective story, solving the mystery of “why,” but despite a momentum-killing speech in the second act, psychological insight is thin on the ground – that the show seems to delight in denying us the surging, anthemic catharsis that’s a key part of the mix that makes those songs so beloved and made him one of the best selling acts for decades running."

Paul Batterson, BroadwayWorld: "Diamond’s sequined jumpers and suits may sparkle in the spotlight but A BEAUTIFUL NOISE also reveals the dark spots in the singer’s starry life. And that is what molds even the most reluctant of listeners into Diamond fans by curtain call."

Jarrod Michael, BroadwayWorld: Neil Diamond - Then, portrayed by Nick Fradiani, proved a remarkable leading man, capturing the essence of Neil Diamond with a presence that was both magnetic and deeply human. His vocals were so uncannily reminiscent of Diamond’s Signature Sound that, at times, one could almost forget it wasn’t the man himself standing center stage. Yet, rather than settling for imitation, Fradiani took subtle, thoughtful liberties with the material. His delicate vocal inflections and interpretive choices honored the original while grounding the character in truthfulness.

Ana-Brit Asplen, BroadwayWorld: Unlike many biographical jukebox musicals (that are also excellent in their own rights), including Beautiful: A Carole King Musical, On Your Feet!, and Jersey Boys, A Beautiful Noise is based more in reflection rather than a direct story. The older Neil recognizes his mistakes and regrets throughout his past, making it even more difficult for those watching to see how those events impacted his future self. In doing so, the show goes beyond the story and focuses on difficult themes like pressure, loneliness, and imbalance.

ErinMarie Reiter, BroadwayWorld: It hints at deeper themes, such as depression, the price of fame and celebrity, and his upbringing, but the show skips over them as quickly as they emerge. That’s okay, “A Beautiful Noise” knows its audience, and this is a musical made for fans.

Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune: Despite the show’s somewhat dark subject matter, it’s a fascinating and unique story. The show is high energy, well-produced and glitzy, and it’s an enjoyable ride because the music is so memorable.

Linda Hodges, BroadwayWorld: McCarten delivers a beautifully wrought musical about the mega-watt talent that is, and always was, Neil Diamond. It’s a lovefest of sing-along tunes and get-on-your-feet, upbeat favorites. But again, hidden just under the surface of some of his biggest hits, is a lonely man searching for answers through song. His music acts as a break in “the clouds,” his personal term for depression. For Neil, music is what feelings sound like.

Jim Harrington, The Mercury News: Overall, “A Beautiful Noise” is not — to borrow from the “Sweet Caroline” fan chant — “so good, so good, so good,” but rather “so meh.” It fails to pass the one test that all jukebox bio musicals must face — which, of course, is whether it can rise above being something just for die-hard fans.

Lily Janiak, San Francisco Chronicle: Fradiani has that. His timbre is like an open range studded with tumbleweeds and barbed wire, cowboy ruggedness crossed with Flatbush grit, schmaltz with singed edges. And he knows just how to deploy it: when to purr, when to rawr, when to strum those vocal cords. But “A Beautiful Noise” attempts to be more than just a concert, and in so doing, it creates the clunkiest framing device and the least likable protagonist possibly in the history of jukebox musicals.

Zach Wetzel, BroadwayWorld: Joe Caskey leads an outstanding cast as the title role. Caskey's singing is rich and tender, with a gorgeous low range and electric stage presence. Every time Caskey performed a song the audience sat up with rapt attention. This interpretation of Neil Diamond is three-dimensional and full of life. "Sweet Caroline", the crowdpleasing Act I finale, was by far one of my favorite moments from the show. It was beautiful to see pathos melt to joy as Neil Diamond discovered his sound and catapulted himself to stardom. The ensemble perfectly complements Neil Diamond vocally and choreographically onstage. They are a joy to watch.

Cary Ginell, BroadwayWorld: "What remains, however, is good enough, thanks to a superb performance by Fradiani as performer/Diamond, perfectly capturing his 'gravel-wrapped-in-velvet' voice and on stage mannerisms, although physically he looks more like the Fonz than the leather-fringed superstar. As the older Diamond, Robert Westenberg doesn't fare as well, totally unrecognizable in physicality or spirit as he exposes his inner self to his therapist, played by Lisa Reneé Pitts. Kohn is especially good as Diamond's second wife Marcia, delivering a strutting performance of 'Forever in Blue Jeans' while parading across the stage."

Michael Quintos, BroadwayWorld: Overall, A BEAUTIFUL NOISE—after the lights have dimmed and the last bits of confetti have fallen—comes off as guaranteed musical candy for Neil Diamond devotees—especially in its current form as a polished, tidy, nostalgia-baiting jukebox musical loaded with familiar hits, sprinkles of sparkle, and enough vocal authenticity to make fans of his music swoon. The impressive performances—from the lead vocals to the "Beautiful Noise" ensemble's hypnotic, lyrical dance moves—bring a measurable level of enjoyment. But as a deep-dive drama? It's, well… just fine—and Diamond fans will surely enjoy it as is.

Christopher Smith, The Orange County Register: The reason this show truly does live up to its title, is “Neil-Then,” aka, the amazingly voiced Nick Fradiani. Biographical jukebox musicals on tour inevitably lose steam when merely adequate casting serves up a bland approximation in place of superstar performance. But Fradiani, a 2015 “American Idol” winner who took over this role at the end of its Broadway run, has an astonishing instrument, impossibly close to the real Diamond in his 20th century vocal prime. Fradiani’s baritone — “gravel wrapped in velvet” is how an early character describes the Diamond voice — has the pitch and power to deliver. Leading the musical ensemble, whether it’s the boisterous “Cherry, Cherry,” the full-throated, stately “I Am … I Said” or that yearning, powerhouse “Solitary Man” … song by song, Fradiani makes no missteps.

Jared Fessler, BroadwayWorld: The real magic of A Beautiful Noise, though, lies in the ensemble work and creative direction. Director Michael Mayer keeps things moving at a brisk pace, blending past and present with sleek transitions and concert-style flourishes. The choreography by Steven Hoggett leans more toward expressive movement than traditional musical theatre dance, which suits the introspective tone of some of the show’s quieter moments.

Rohan Preston, The Minnesota Star Tribune: But “Noise” would have been better served with a different framing device from playwright Anthony McCarten. If we see a therapist, we expect a rush of breakthroughs. What we get instead in the show is underwhelming piffle — confessional hagiography dressed up as serious introspection. Diamond should have been telling all to Oprah or Barbara Walters.

Brett Cullum, BroadwayWorld: The songs, the cast, and the staging all save this show, but the book brings it down a bit. A BEAUTIFUL NOISE needs a little more drama, a little more angst to really work as a satisfying theatrical experience. But man, hearing these artists bring these songs to life kept me smiling all night long. If you're a fan of Neil Diamond, this is worth it. If you don’t know who he is, you probably won’t know anything more after the curtain call. But the music? It’s “SO GOOD, SO GOOD!” And “I’m a Believer!” in this cast. And just to be reminded of Neil’s immigrant rally cry in “America” seems worth the price of admission.

Joey Guerra, Houston Chronicle: "A Beautiful Noise" isn't a perfect musical, but it is a pretty fantastic concert experience. Despite the structural unevenness, the show succeeds where it matters most — delivering the exuberant spectacle of a Neil Diamond concert. By the time the company launches into a final, soaring rendition of "Sweet Caroline," you'll be out of your seat and singing along.

Average Rating: 76.6%