Broadway was graced with the presence of a music legend on November 26th as the curtain rose on the new Neil Diamond-inspired jukebox musical, A Beautiful Noise.
Diamond surprised the audience by unexpectedly taking the stage for a full performance of his beloved classic, “Sweet Caroline.” Fans were heard singing along with the 75-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee as he crooned out the memorable lyrics.
The musical, which Diamond co-wrote with musical theater greats Michael Feinstein, Douglas McGrath and Scott Wittman, celebrates the life and career of the Brooklyn-born singer-songwriter. The show features 25 songs from throughout Diamond’s 50-plus-year career, from “Solitary Man” and “Cracklin’ Rosie” to “America” and “Forever in Blue Jeans.”
The audience was visibly moved by Diamond’s surprise performance and expressed their gratitude for his lifetime of music by giving him a standing ovation. Diamond expressed his own appreciation with a bow, a nod and his signature smile before leaving the stage without a word.
Although Diamond will not be making any additional appearances on the show, his presence was a welcome treat to all in attendance. His surprise performance of “Sweet Caroline” at the opening night of A Beautiful Noise provided a unique glimpse into the life and work of an artist who has meant so much to so many.
Neil Diamond surprises audience with ‘Sweet Caroline’ performance at Broadway opening of ‘A Beautiful Noise’
Neil Diamond, one of America’s best-known singers and songwriters, surprised an audience of Broadway fans with an unexpected performance of his iconic song ‘Sweet Caroline’ at the opening night of a musical production inspired by his life and music.
History Made
The musical, entitled ‘A Beautiful Noise’, opened on June 24th 2020 to a full house at the Neil Simon Theatre in New York City. The show, which is a celebration of Neil Diamond’s entire career, chronicles his rise to fame and incredible influence on the music industry.
At the conclusion of the performance, a surprise awaited – Neil Diamond took to the stage to perform his classic song ‘Sweet Caroline’ – a tune that has brought joy to millions of fans for over five decades. It was the first time that the musical legend had ever sung the song at a Broadway opening, making the evening truly historic.
Reaction To The Performance
The audience was overwhelmed by the surprise and responded with a thunderous applause. The show’s creator and director Keith Sherman said “You could have heard a pin drop in the theatre when Diamond began to sing. It was an incredible and unique moment.”
Highlights Of The Show
The musical featured many of Neil Diamond’s greatest hits, including ‘Cracklin’ Rosie’, ‘Love On The Rocks’ and ‘Forever In Blue Jeans’. Audience members were also treated to excellent performances of lesser-known cuts, like ‘Girl, You’ll Be A Woman Soon’ and ‘The Story Of My Life’.
Another highlight of the show was the inclusion of beautiful Broadway-style choreography, highlighting Diamond’s ability to appeal to a variety of fans and audiences.
Conclusion
Neil Diamond has been making beautiful music for over fifty years and continues to influence music fans of all ages. His Broadway debut showcase of ‘A Beautiful Noise’ was a testimony to his undying influence, and was a truly special event that made history.
The surprise performance of ‘Sweet Caroline’ at the opening night of the show was truly a magical moment and one that the audience will remember for a lifetime.
