A Beautiful Noise at The Segerstrom Center for the Arts
7 August 2025 Featured Music Reviews
A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical is far from a standard jukebox musical; it’s a profoundly moving and exuberant celebration of Neil Diamond’s life and music. Through powerful storytelling and exceptional performances, the play transforms a catalog of beloved songs into a deeply personal and communal experience, perfect for both lifelong fans and newcomers.
Segerstrom Center proved to be the ideal venue, offering essential evidence of the show’s unique draw. Even on a Tuesday, the theater was full, buzzing with a festive, enthusiastic mood. This speaks volumes about Diamond’s enduring popularity and the sense of nostalgia his music evokes. Many audience members had traveled from out of state, showcasing the immense devotion he inspires and creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a concert event rather than a conventional night at the theater.
The production’s framing device, which portrays Diamond in therapy sessions inspired by his real life, proves both insightful and dramatically effective. This structure anchors the musical not just in his hits but in his emotional journey, offering an introspective look at his rise to fame, creative struggles, and personal reckonings. Dialogue with his psychologist pulls back the curtain on deeply personal themes: identity, motivation, a yearning for acceptance, and the ongoing impact of his upbringing. These moments reveal the roots of Diamond’s drive, especially the influence of his parents and his desire to prove himself.
The performances themselves are a triumph. Nick Fradiani, as ‘Neil – Then,’ delivers a show-stopping performance with uncanny vocal precision and charisma to spare. He convincingly embodies not just the sound but the emotional core of Diamond’s youthful ambition and later vulnerabilities. Robert Westenberg as ‘Neil – Now’ lends gravitas, conveying the burdens of fame and the emotional costs accumulated over a lifetime in the spotlight. These dual portrayals, interwoven with Lisa Reneé Pitts as the perceptive psychologist, elevate the play beyond mere nostalgia, making it resonate with universal questions of self-worth and legacy.
The technical elements—costuming, set design, and choreography—create a vibrant tapestry that mirrors the shifting eras of Diamond’s career. The music and acting align perfectly with the narrative arc, turning songs like “Sweet Caroline” and “America” into both plot points and communal celebrations. The audience not only listened but sang along, transforming the theater into a living chorus. Audience members joined the climactic communal joy of “Sweet Caroline,” where the entire audience rises, claps, and sings their hearts out.
Equally important, production does not shy away from emotional depth. The therapy motif allows the musical to grapple with Diamond’s resilience in facing setbacks, including those caused by his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2018, which ended his concert touring days. The show’s honesty about imperfection and struggle makes it especially affecting and relatable.
Even if you arrive only knowing a few songs, you’ll likely leave moved and uplifted, mirroring the experience of many others. Even those unfamiliar with Diamond’s full catalog find themselves swept up in the infectious spirit and emotional candor of the show. Whether you are a loyal fan or a casual theatergoer, A Beautiful Noise promises not just an evening of memorable music but a transformative night that connects generations through shared memories, powerful storytelling, and the joy of song.
For anyone on the fence, the musical is not just entertainment but an invitation to witness the enduring power of music to unite, inspire, and heal, leaving the audience, quite literally, singing together. It’s a theatrical experience that proves why Neil Diamond’s music still resonates and why this production is packing houses across the country.
Review by Oswaldo Diaz