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While some musicians are merely one-hit wonders, a few gems cement their names down in music’s history forever. Neil Diamond, a household name, who created his songs back in the 1960s, rose to fame in the 1970s, remains as one of the biggest pillars of the music industry. With his tremendous success, it came as no surprise when Tony Award winner Michael Mayer wanted to direct a musical, set to launch on Broadway in 2022, centered around the story of Diamond’s life.
Entitled A Beautiful Noise, the epic production will premiere in Boston next summer. But, producers Ken Davenport and Bob Gaudio announced that they are eyeing a Broadway run for the show. A Beautiful Noise will be a biographical musical revolving around the incredible story of one of the music industry’s greatest icons, from his humble upbringing in Brooklyn, New York, to his rise to global stardom.
A Beautiful Noise, featuring Neil Diamond’s songs, will also showcase a book written by Anthony McCarten, the creative mind behind the screenplay of Bohemian Rhapsody and two-time Oscar nominee for The Theory of Everything and The Two Popes. Three-time Tony nominee Steven Hoggett will choreograph the musical.
Honored to have his story as the center narrative, Neil Diamond expresses his excitement in sharing his journey through his songs. In a statement, the 80-year-old singer-songwriter said, “I’ve always loved Broadway. The inspiration for many of my early songs came from shows like West Side Story, My Fair Lady, and Fiddler on the Roof, so it seems only fitting to bring my songs to The Great White Way. I’m honored and excited to be working with this great team.”
Neil Diamond has sold over 100 million records across the globe, placing himself as one of the best-selling artists of all time. His singles, Cracklin’ Rosie, Song Sung Blue, Longfellow Serenade, Sweet Caroline, You Don’t Bring Me Flowers, Heartlight, and other Billboard-topping productions have captivated music lovers throughout the years. Today, his music is considered among the industry’s best-kept classics. With his solid and unmistakable vocals and guitar skills, the singer-songwriter is indeed one of the biggest influencers in pop, rock, country, and folk music genres.
Fans are already raving about the upcoming show, especially with the announcement of its Broadway release. “I’ve had the joy of coming to Boston on countless occasions, but one of the most special was my 2013 trip to Fenway where I had the honor of being part of a moment of relief, unity, strength, and love,” said Neil Diamond in a statement.
The singer-songwriter further added, “Next summer, when A Beautiful Noise has its first performance at the Emerson Colonial Theatre, and we’re all able to safely be in the same space together, experiencing the thrill of live theater, I imagine those same emotions will wash over me and the entire audience. Relief… Unity… Strength… Love… I can’t wait to share that experience.”
Five decades after his rise to becoming a music legend, Neil Diamond is still one of the greeted voices in the world. The icon’s journey has not always been a walk in the park. His 1976 album, the powerhouse of A Beautiful Noise, tells the story of disappointments, heartache, and triumphs. From a financially struggling Jewish kid from Brooklyn, Diamond rose to become one of the most outstanding performers of all time. What better way to share his journey than through a musical.
Neil Diamond is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a multi-Grammy winner. To learn more about the singer-songwriter, visit his website.
Sources:
https://thebroadwayblog.com/neil-diamond-musical-a-beautiful-noise/
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/06/theater/neil-diamond-musical-a-beautiful-noise.html
