A Beautiful Noise – Orpheum Theater – Minneapolis MN – September 30th 2025

The Neil Diamond Musical A Beautiful Noise – Orpheum Theater, Minneapolis MN – September 30^th, 2025

Review by Amie Bresnahan

I attended this production with very little background information besides the fact that it was based on the music, and life, of Neil Diamond and what a fantastic surprise of a show it turned out to be!

Based on the book by Anthony McCarten and featuring all the music and lyrics written by Neil Diamond, the show depicts both flashbacks to the past, and present reflections on the rise of Neil as a musician and performer starting in his youth in Brooklyn, NY. The show is set in current day therapist sessions with an older Diamond talking to his therapist while looking back on the beauty and heartache that a life of fame brought him.

Coming from an actual Neil Diamond fan (I have been to at least 7 of his concerts throughout the years), this is a close second to seeing the man in person! Nick Fradiani who plays “Neil Then” (a.k.a. the historical Neil) sings with such perfection that if you closed your eyes, you would think you were hearing the man himself. His gravely smooth vocals mimic the performer in almost perfect tone and rhythm.

Robert Westenberg, playing “Neil Now”, gave a powerful performance showing the real emotions of what reflecting on the past can bring, everything from nostalgic joy to regretful heartache. The scenes in which he is physically standing right behind “Neil Then” give a stunning visual to highlight this trip down memory lane.

The set is minimal with very distinct lighting that transforms the scene throughout the decades. A variety of overhead hanging lamps rise, and fall, based on the scene and a backdrop of neon walls moves on and off the stage. After the intermission the set transforms into a full arena-like performance stage that makes you feel like you are right there in the front rows of an actual Neil Diamond concert!

The music throughout was the most obvious showstopper. All the hits you want and expect that even this Minnesota audience, who are usually quite reserved in the theater, got into singing along… “Sweet Caroline” (So Good, So Good, So Good!)

Overall, the show gave us an insight to the trials and tribulations of a life in show business and brought us on an emotional journey through the story of a man coming to terms with his success and failures in a well-lived, and very public, life.