OIBSERVER: A Beautiful Noise – The Neil Diamond Musical
PHOTO: Broadway star Will Swenson plays Neil Diamond in A Beautiful Nose: The Neil Diamond Musical.
Producers Paul Dainty and TEG Dainty, Ken Davenport and Bob Gaudio, have announced the new release of tickets for the Melbourne season of A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical, following overwhelming demand.
The season has been extended by two weeks, with preview performances commencing on August 5 at the Princess Theatre and the season now running until October 26.
The Australian cast of A Beautiful Noise is led by Broadway star Will Swenson in the titular role Neil Diamond – Then, bringing his acclaimed, award-winning performance to Australia for the very first time. Joining Swenson are principal cast members Terence Crawford (Neil Diamond – Now), Ashleigh Rubenach (Marcia Murphey), Monica Sayers (Doctor), Alana Tranter (Jaye Posner), Tim Wright (Fred Weintraub / Tommy O’Rourke), Paul Hanlon (Bert Berns / Kieve Diamond), Hannah Fredericksen (Ellie Greenwich / Rose Diamond), with Rob Mallett (Standby Neil Diamond – Then), and Mark Owen Taylor (Standby Neil Diamond – Now, Fred Weintraub / Tommy O’Rourke, Bert Berns / Kieve Diamond).
Rounding out the company as ‘The Beautiful Noise’ ensemble are Katrina Bickerton, Cameron Davey, Paul Leandre Escorrido, Matt Hourigan, Alana Iannace, Jerome Javier (Swing) Joshua Kobeck, Etuate Lutui (Shilo soloist), Anna Mallows (Swing), Jordan Malone, James Maxfield (Swing), Isabella Roberts, Sophie Tzioumis, Emma Wilby (Swing), and Erica Wild (Swing).
Created in collaboration with Neil Diamond himself, A Beautiful Noise is the true story of how a kid from Brooklyn became a chartbusting, show-stopping American rock icon.
With 140 million albums sold, a catalogue of classics like Cracklin’ Rosie, Forever in Blue Jeans, and Sweet Caroline, an induction into the Songwriters and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and sold-out concerts around the world that made him bigger than Elvis, Neil Diamond’s story was made to shine on Broadway – and the world.
A Beautiful Noise – The Neil Diamond Musical is directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer, choreographed by Olivier Award winner Steven Hoggett, and written by four-time Academy Award nominee Anthony McCarten.
The design team for A Beautiful Noise features Tony Award winner David Rockwell (Scenic Design), Tony Award nominee Emilio Sosa (Costume Design), four-time Tony Award winner Kevin Adams (Lighting Design), Tony Award winner Jessica Paz (Sound Design), and Luc Verschueren (Hair, Wig and Makeup Design).
The production has Music Supervision and Arrangements by Sonny Paladino, Incidental Music and Dance Music Arrangements by Brian Usifer, Vocal Design by AnnMarie Milazzo, and Orchestrations by Bob Gaudio, Sonny Paladino and Brian Usifer.
Neil Diamond’s connection with Australia spans nearly half a century of music and memories.
He has toured here seven times with promoter Paul Dainty, from the landmark Thank You Australia tour in 1976 through to 2015, with his music resonating deeply with audiences.
His 1972 live album Hot August Night spent 29 weeks at number one and 65 weeks on the chart, making it the third-longest-charting album of its era in Australian music history.
Performance Season: August 5 – October 26
Performance Times: Wed.-Sat. 7.30pm, Wed.,Thu., Sun. 1pm, Sat. 2pm, Sun. 6.30pm
Venue: Princess Theatre, Melbourne
Prices: From $69 (Transaction fees apply)
Bookings: Visit ticketek.com.au or phone 1300 665 915
Groups 10+: Visit ticketek.com.au or phone 9299 9873. Mon.-Fri. 9am-4pm. Email groups@marrinergroup.com.au
Cheryl Threadgold
Pictured: Broadway star Will Swenson plays Neil Diamond in A Beautiful Nose: The Neil Diamond Musical.