Photos by Jeremy Daniel
There’s something fitting about A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical celebrating its
700th performance in Baltimore, a city that knows how to appreciate a great sing-along moment.
From the second the show begins, it’s clear that this is not your traditional jukebox musical.
Instead of simply walking audiences through Neil Diamond’s greatest hits, the show frames his
life through a therapy session, allowing Diamond to look back on his career, his relationships,
and the moments that shaped the lyrics behind some of his most famous songs. It’s a smart
storytelling device, especially because the musical is based on a book of Diamond’s lyrics, with
the therapist and Neil dissecting the words line by line to reveal the personal experiences behind
them.
The therapy setup also gives the show one of its funniest elements: Neil’s doctor, played by Lisa
Reneé Pitts, who brings plenty of humor and personality to the story. But the conversations also
raise an interesting question throughout the musical: does having incredible art automatically
make someone’s story worth telling? A Beautiful Noise doesn’t shy away from showing that Neil
Diamond is not always the easiest person to root for. As the show explores his ambition, regrets,
and relationships, it asks audiences to consider the complicated relationship between an artist and
the art they create. The moments where Neil questions whether he is losing the magic while
performing feel especially significant, almost like foreshadowing the later challenges in his life
and whether he ever fully appreciated the success he achieved.
Of course, the reason audiences came is the music, and A Beautiful Noise delivers that
experience like a concert. The volume, energy, and staging make it feel like you are watching a
concert at times, but it balances those moments with traditional musical theatre elements that I
always look for. The show smartly places the hit song “I’m a Believer” early in the production,
giving unfamiliar audiences an immediate reminder of the impact of Diamond’s songwriting.
The Act I finale featuring “Sweet Caroline” is exactly the kind of crowd-pleasing moment
audiences expect, and yes, the audience does get the chance to sing along. While I am usually not
the biggest fan of encouraging audience participation at the theater, I understand why it works
here and appreciate that the show carefully chooses those moments rather than turning the entire
performance into a sing-along.
Beyond the music, the production itself is visually stunning. The costumes are vibrant and full of
personality, and the lighting design is one of the strongest elements of the show. The ensemble
entrances from Neil’s book are especially creative, using the set and lighting to make the
performers appear almost magically from the pages of Neil’s story. These moments happen more
than once throughout the production and are consistently impressive. The ensemble is also a
standout, bringing incredible energy and precision to every number. Nick Fradiani’s Neil was
spot on, from the look to the way he carried himself, and especially the sound of his voice.
Marsha, played by Amber Ardolino, was a particular highlight, delivering a powerful
performance in “Song Sung Blue” and absolutely owning her Act II number “Forever in Blue
Jeans” with both her vocals and choreography.
Act II shifts even further into concert territory, opening almost as if the audience has stepped into
a Neil Diamond performance. The second half embraces the spectacle of Diamond’s career, and
by the end, the production fully leans into the celebration of his music. The only thing I wished
for was a Playbill that listed the songs in order rather than only including the songs featured,
though I suspect the choice reflects the show’s desire to feel more like a concert experience than
a traditional musical.
Ending the night with “Sweet Caroline” was expected but still incredibly fun, especially with
Baltimore’s own Denise Koch from WJZ joining the cast for the encore after bows. Ultimately, A
Beautiful Noise is not just a greatest hits concert on stage – it’s an exploration of the person
behind the songs. Whether you walk away questioning Neil Diamond himself or simply
appreciating the music that has become part of so many people’s lives, the show succeeds in
proving why audiences continue to come together to hear these songs decades later.
Final Grade: B+
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