BROADWAY AT THE PARAMOUNT A Beautiful Noise - The Neil Diamond Musical January 13 through January 18, 2026 Review
A Beautiful Noise - The Neil Diamond Musical
Book by Anthony McCarten
Music and Lyrics by Neil Diamond
Book by Anthony McCarten
Music and Lyrics by Neil Diamond
Choreography by Steven Hoggett
Directed by Michael Mayer
Premera Blue Cross Broadway At The Paramount
Seattle, WA
January 13, 2026 - Opening/Media Night
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The new show "A Beautiful Noise - The Neil Diamond Musical" opened last night at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle,WA. Based on the life and times of music legend Neil Diamond, the audience was very eager to hear the tunes they’ve come to know and love over the decades.
The best part of the show was Nick Fradiani (Neil Diamond - then). He was absolutely fantastic in the role. He sounded enough like Neil Diamond that he was believable but he was also not a clone of him. He had his own style that created a must watch performance on stage. Nick’s performance was the glue that held the show together from start to finish.
The story itself was a bit all over the place for me. They made it clear the struggles Neil Diamond went through over the course of his career, stemming back to his childhood. Three marriages and consistent issues internally, his story, while familiar to some, didn’t quite work for me in a musical format.
There were many times where lyrics were used to further the story on stage. Yes, it’s about Neil Diamond’s own life but I just found myself wishing the story would elevate the show at some point during the evening.
%20and%20'The%20Noise'%20in%20A%20Beautiful%20Noise_%20The%20Neil%20Diamond%20Musical%20-%20Photo%20credit%20Jeremy%20Daniel.jpg)
The music (and band) were phenomenal. The music numbers were presented at times as a concert. The volume was pumped up and the stage transformed into a concert stage. This part of the production I admired immensely.
I like Neil Diamond’s music. Always have. But, this show as a musical was great in places, not so great in others. I actually would have preferred learning about his life in detail via an in depth documentary about his amazing life and career.
So, if you’re a fan and you want to hear some of your favorite songs, the show will deliver on that score. If you’re looking for an amazing musical theatre experience, well, the show came up short for me. But, it may not for you. Please attend a performance and let me know. I’d love to hear the opinions from longtime Neil Diamond fans in particular.
“A Beautiful Noise - The Neil Diamond Musical” plays through January 18, 2026. Purchase tickets: HERE!
Best,
Mark D. Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect With Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media and Email Links
,%20Robert%20Westenberg%20as%20'Neil%20-%20Now'%20(left),%20Lisa%20Rene%C3%A9%20Pitts%20as%20'Doctor'%20and%20'The%20Noise'%20in%20A%20Beautiful%20Noise_%20The%20Neil%20Diamond%20Musical%20-%20Photo%20credit%20Jeremy%20Daniel.jpg)
Directed by Michael Mayer
Premera Blue Cross Broadway At The Paramount
Seattle, WA
January 13, 2026 - Opening/Media Night
%20with%20'The%20Noise'%20and%20the%20Band%20in%20A%20Beautiful%20Noise_%20The%20Neil%20Diamond%20Musical%20-%20Photo%20credit%20Jeremy%20Daniel.jpg)
(Nick Fradiani as 'Neil - Then' (center) with 'The Noise' and the Band in A Beautiful Noise - The Neil Diamond Musical - Photo credit Jeremy Daniel.)
The new show "A Beautiful Noise - The Neil Diamond Musical" opened last night at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle,WA. Based on the life and times of music legend Neil Diamond, the audience was very eager to hear the tunes they’ve come to know and love over the decades.
The best part of the show was Nick Fradiani (Neil Diamond - then). He was absolutely fantastic in the role. He sounded enough like Neil Diamond that he was believable but he was also not a clone of him. He had his own style that created a must watch performance on stage. Nick’s performance was the glue that held the show together from start to finish.
The story itself was a bit all over the place for me. They made it clear the struggles Neil Diamond went through over the course of his career, stemming back to his childhood. Three marriages and consistent issues internally, his story, while familiar to some, didn’t quite work for me in a musical format.
There were many times where lyrics were used to further the story on stage. Yes, it’s about Neil Diamond’s own life but I just found myself wishing the story would elevate the show at some point during the evening.
%20and%20'The%20Noise'%20in%20A%20Beautiful%20Noise_%20The%20Neil%20Diamond%20Musical%20-%20Photo%20credit%20Jeremy%20Daniel.jpg)
(Nick Fradiani as 'Neil - Then' (center) and 'The Noise' in A Beautiful Noise - The Neil Diamond Musical - Photo credit Jeremy Daniel.)
The music (and band) were phenomenal. The music numbers were presented at times as a concert. The volume was pumped up and the stage transformed into a concert stage. This part of the production I admired immensely.
I like Neil Diamond’s music. Always have. But, this show as a musical was great in places, not so great in others. I actually would have preferred learning about his life in detail via an in depth documentary about his amazing life and career.
So, if you’re a fan and you want to hear some of your favorite songs, the show will deliver on that score. If you’re looking for an amazing musical theatre experience, well, the show came up short for me. But, it may not for you. Please attend a performance and let me know. I’d love to hear the opinions from longtime Neil Diamond fans in particular.
“A Beautiful Noise - The Neil Diamond Musical” plays through January 18, 2026. Purchase tickets: HERE!
Best,
Mark D. Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect With Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media and Email Links
,%20Robert%20Westenberg%20as%20'Neil%20-%20Now'%20(left),%20Lisa%20Rene%C3%A9%20Pitts%20as%20'Doctor'%20and%20'The%20Noise'%20in%20A%20Beautiful%20Noise_%20The%20Neil%20Diamond%20Musical%20-%20Photo%20credit%20Jeremy%20Daniel.jpg)
(Nick Fradiani as 'Neil - Then' (center), Robert Westenberg as 'Neil - Now' (left), Lisa Reneé Pitts as 'Doctor' and 'The Noise' in A Beautiful Noise_ The Neil Diamond Musical - Photo credit Jeremy Daniel.)
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