By Lynn Venhaus

Come for the music, stay for the lovefest. A gleaming crowd-pleasing tribute, “A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical” celebrates the singer-songwriter’s greatest hits, which is what the enthusiastic audience expected and was eager to do.

A delightful bonus was the excellence of the cast, band, and creative team.

Such affection for the legendary showman is evident and the music offers enough sustenance for the fans. After all, Diamond is one of the best-selling singer-songwriters of all-time, with 10 singles to reach no. 1.

The presentation is as sparkly as Neil’s shiny, sequined outfits on stage, designed here by Emilio Sosa. Touring since Sept. 21, the slickly produced show received a warm welcome at the Fox Theatre on opening night Oct. 29 (it runs through Nov. 10) — and not just because there were two rousing “Sweet Caroline” sing-alongs.

When Paul Simon inducted Neil Diamond into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame in 2011, he said: “Neil Diamond wrote for himself, but he spoke to everybody.”

“His ability to put words to the human experience explains his commercial success, his fans of all stripes, and his timelessness,” Simon continued.

Photo by Jeremy Daniel.

That sums up Neil’s enduring appeal. He was a dominant force on the pop charts for two generations and sold over 130 million records. No wonder the audience’s excitement steadily built with each memorable tune.

There is a captivating story to tell – of an introverted, lonely kid from Brooklyn, with a fondness for poetry, trying to make it in the music business in the 1960s. He eventually becomes a chart-topping global superstar, extroverted and fun-loving on stage.

But fame took its toll, with two failed marriages along the way, and other bumps in the road. There is a darkness that Neil talked about, which is expressed to his wives and his therapist.

While this typical jukebox musical doesn’t have as strong of a story arc as “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” and “Jersey Boys,” the framework is interesting as a memoir, choosing to start with Neil “Now” talking about Neil “Then” to a therapist.

The psychoanalysis sessions strike a chord with anyone reflecting on their life, the mistakes they made and the regrets, but also on their triumphs and special connections. Neil is now an 83-year-old man, forced to retire after the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in 2018.

In therapy, he talks about wanting more peace, less angst. He’d also like to be better at reaching out to his family (he has four children, two girls with his first wife, two boys with his second).

Neil – Then and Neil – Now. Photo by Jeremy Daniel

The doctor, played by Lisa Renee Pitts, opens a book of his songs written during his 60-year career, and reads some of the lyrics, prompting Diamond to react. Spotlighting iconic songs and their significance, plus highlighting the special people in his life, is the crux of the show.

The book, written by Anthony McCarten, is titled for his 1976 album, and crafted with Diamond’s cooperation (and there’s a letter from Neil in the program). The musical addresses both sides of his personality – the performer and the songwriter.

Produced by Bob Gaudio, one of the Four Seasons (you may recall his story featured prominently in “Jersey Boys”), the show touches on Diamond’s drive and his creative fire.

The music numbers often feature a vibrant chorus of singers and dancers known as “The Beautiful Noise” – performing Steven Hoggett’s vigorous choreography. Special shout-out to J’Kobe Wallace from St. Louis, who was memorable in The Black Rep’s “Eubie!” in spring 2023, making his Broadway tour debut. He’s also the dance captain.

The Neil bookends are strong performers who instantly connected with the crowd. As Neil – Then, Nick Fradiani is an energetic, skilled musician, and charmed fans with his interpretation – and not just because he rocked some serious rock star hair and sideburns.

Fradiani, who won “American Idol” in 2015, Season 14, sounds remarkably like Diamond, but also has the charisma to pull off such a demanding role. Original understudy to Will Swenson on Broadway, Fradiani replaced him as the lead on Oct. 31, 2023, until the show closed on June 30. The show opened on Dec. 4, 2022, after a tryout in Boston and previews.

Tiffany Tatreau and Nick Fradiani. Photo by Jeremy Daniel.

Neil – Now is played by Robert Westenberg, who received a Tony nomination for his outstanding work in the 2022 revival of “Into the Woods,” but on opening night at the Fox, the understudy Dale Duko did a fine job.

Another standout is Hannah Jewel Kohn, a sensational triple threat, as Marcia Murphey, Diamond’s second wife, who was a major influence on his career. They were married 25 years until they divorced in 1995. He has been married to Katie McNeil since 2012, but she is just mentioned, not part of the show.

His first wife Jaye Posner, who was his high school sweetheart, is portrayed cordially by Tiffany Tatreau. They were married in 1963, separated a few years later, and divorced in 1969.

Kate A. Mulligan is a noteworthy supporting player as songwriter Ellie Greenwich, one of the hitmakers in the famous Brill Building, who helped show him the ropes. She also doubled as his mother, Rose Diamond.

During his Brill days, he wrote “I’m a Believer,” which the Monkees recorded, became certified gold in a mere two days, and was the biggest single of 1966. (Fun fact: Neil wrote several songs for the Monkees, including “A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You.”).

Performing at the NYC nightclub, The Bitter End, was his big break, and then he was off and running with a succession of catchy Billboard Top 40 hits. Act One showcases his first no. 1 on his own, 1970’s “Cracklin’ Rosie,” plus “Kentucky Woman,” “Solitary Man,” “Song Sung Blue,” “Cherry Cherry,” and “September Morn.”

Kate A Mulligan and Nick Fradiani. Photo by Jeremy Daniel

Right before intermission, Fradiani and company deliver a robust “Sweet Caroline.” The “Good Times Never Seemed So Good” classic came out in 1969, became a favorite anthem at sporting events, and beloved as the 8th inning song at every Boston Red Sox home game at Fenway Park. It was honored by the Library of Congress with its inclusion in the National Recording Registry in 2019. Everyone expected this song to be one of the evening’s highlights and it was – and at the cheery curtain call too!

The songs from the only movie he headlined, “The Jazz Singer,” including “Love on the Rocks,” “Hello Again,” and the patriotic anthem “America,” which he wrote for his immigrant grandparents, were featured. An exhilarating rendition of “America” revved up the Fox crowd too.

The song timeline isn’t necessarily in order, but chronicles important times in Diamond’s life, too. The program lists 29 songs alphabetically. The dramatic gospel-tinged 1969 “Holly Holy” is later inserted for maximum effect, and I was happy to see the wistful 1968 “Brooklyn Roads” (‘low charting’) included — from his album “Velvet Gloves and Spit.” (?!)

A few singers have solo moments to shine: St. Louis’ own Spencer Donovan Jones in “Shilo,” Chris Marsh Clark in “Kentucky Woman,” Tasheim Ramsey Pack in “Red Red Wine,” Cooper Clack in “Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow)” and Jeilani Rhone-Collins in “The Boat That I Row.”

Act Two focuses on the sold-out stadium years, where he was a huge draw in concerts around the world. His legendary “Hot August Night” double live album, recorded at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on Aug. 24, 1972, is still considered one of the best live albums of all time.

Hannah Jewel Kohn and Nick Fradiani. Photo by Jeremy Daniel.

The show’s energy ramps up with “Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show,” “Play Me,” and moving on to “Thank the Lord for the Nighttime,” “Soolaimon”/Crunchy Granola Suite,” and “I Am…I Said.”

The dynamic Kohn, who already had proven herself to be quite an accomplished dancer in the numbers, is showcased front and center in a terrific “Forever in Blue Jeans.”

When their marriage is rocky and on the verge of falling apart, Fradiani’s and Murphey’s moving duet to “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” is heartbreaking.

So many songs are given their due and hearing again in this format re-connected us to the man and his music.

Under the expertise of conductor James Olmstead, the band smoothly transitions from up-tempo earworms to tender ballads, creating a full-bodied wall of sound. Olmstead played keyboards, as did Nancy O’Connor, with Max Caine on guitar, Aamir Juman on bass, and Morgan Parker on drums. These traveling musicians were joined by local musicians from Local 2 – 197 AFM to complete the orchestra.

With a glitzy scenic design by David Rockwell and warm lighting design by Kevin Adams, the show conveys music clubs and concert halls, recording studios and business offices.  But like the artist himself, the music comes alive because of those songs, no matter what venue.

“A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical” is an only-fans nostalgic delight. Anytime you can see that much joy on people’s faces, the night doesn’t seem so lonely, and ‘touching you, touching me’ is a blissful waltz down memory lane.

Photo by Jeremy Daniel.

The Fox Theatre presents “A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical” Oct. 29 – Nov. 10 at the Fabulous Fox, 527 N. Grand Blvd, St. Louis, Mo 63103. For more information, visit www.fabulousfox.com. For tickets, call MetroTix at 314-534-1111 or visit www.metrotix.com.

Hannah Jewel Kohn as Marcia Murphey. Photo by Jeremy Daniel.

By CB Adams
Contributing Writer

In the beginning was New Jersey, which begat Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, which in various incarnations begat pop record sales of more than 175 million, which begat the jukebox musical Jersey Boys, which begat four Tony Awards that included Best Musical and a trunk-load of other accolades, which begat a film directed and produced by none other than “Dirty” Harry Callahan (okay, Clint Eastwood), which begat a return engagement of the ensemble musical at The Fabulous Fox Theatre on January 30-Febrary 2.

According to the press kit for Jersey Boys, this musical is not recommended for children under 12 due in part because it is peppered with “authentic Jersey language,” But, bada bing bada boom, other than the youngsters, Jersey Boys could just as well be known as the Authentic Jersey Musical, not to mention an authentically satisfying experience. And the show has been to St. Louis so many times that may have earned the nickname “St. Louis Boys.”

Nothing succeeds like success, and such is the case with Jersey Boys, which wouldn’t keep pounding the boards at venues like the Fox and The Muny if it weren’t so darned enjoyable. Jersey Boys is a show that entices men to come for the swagger and women to stay for the swoon – a winning combination not shared by many of musicals. Directed by two-time Tony Award-winner Des McAnuff and written by Academy Award-winner Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, it reliably fills seats.

The behind-the-scenes, bio-pic show, with music by Bob Gaudio and lyrics by Bob Crewe, hits the high and low notes of the evolution and more-or-less dissolution of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons in the years before, during and after the so-called British Invasion. This was an impressively long run of success for core bandmates – Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi  — that earned them a well-deserved place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The musical version of their story is a straight shot through the band’s history, with each member given a portion of the story to tell. Unlike some jukebox musicals that rely on a contrived plot to underpin the hit songs, Jersey Boys leverages the compelling story of the band’s history. The story has become as ubiquitous as the sing of hits the band produced. Jersey Boys is an ensemble effort with Jon Hacker as Valli, Eric Chambliss as Gaudio, Corey Geenan as DeVito and Michael Milton at Massi. These actors individually and collectively delivered at solid performance in acting and singing. Although there were no stand-out performances, Chambliss and Hacker delivered with the most heart and pathos – thanks in no small part to the show’s script.

But let’s face it: You come for the music and you stay for the music. Jersey Boys delivers with plenty of music – 33 songs, including five number-ones. And even though it doesn’t include 19 of the band’s other hits, including four other top-10 hits, the show drops the needle on a well-paced, nostalgically steady steam of the music that is the heart and soul of this show.

The strength of the show really rested on the vocal shoulders of Hacker as Franki. Hacker’s performance was, like all other aspects of the production, solid. Hacker is no Valli hologram and his evocation of the style, personality and vocal style of Valli did justice to the spirit and talents of the man himself. Hacker’s voice and acting were up to the material, especially with the support of the rest of the cast.

Hacker as Frankie delivered one of the musical’s most poignant lines about the group: “Like that bunny on TV, it just keeps going and going and going. Chasing the music. Trying to find our way home.”

Jersey Boys certainly has a found a regular place to call home on St. Louis stages.

The Fabulous Fox Theatre presented “Jersey Boys” January 30-February 2.