Just as Neil Diamond celebrates the 53rd anniversary of the release of his iconic ‘Hot August Night’ album, it is revealed that the smash-hit Broadway musical ‘A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical’ will premiere exclusively in Melbourne in late 2026.
Created in collaboration with Neil Diamond himself, ‘A Beautiful Noise’ is the uplifting true story of how a kid from Brooklyn became a chart-busting, show-stopping, American rock icon. Neil has sold 120 million albums, has a catalogue of classic hits like ‘America’, ‘Forever In Blue Jeans’ and ‘Sweet Caroline’, and has been inducted into the Songwriters and Rock And Roll Halls of Fame, as well as scoring a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award and selling out shows across the globe.
‘A Beautiful Noise’ is an inspiring, exhilarating, energy-filled musical memoir, telling the untold true story of how this massive hitmaker became a star.
“Some of my most thrilling nights have been while sharing my music with audiences around the world,” Neil Diamond says. “‘A Beautiful Noise’ has already had an incredible journey on Broadway and is currently touring across the U.S. and it’s an incredible honour to see it heading to Melbourne. I hope Australian audiences enjoy the show as much as I have.”
Image © Jeremy Daniel
“Bringing ‘A Beautiful Noise’ to Melbourne is extremely special for me,” President and CEO of TEG DAINTYvPaul Dainty AO says. “I’ve had the great privilege of working with Neil as his Australian promoter for decades, and this production is a powerful celebration of his life and music. I know Melbourne audiences will be moved by the joy, emotion, and unforgettable songs that have made Neil a legend.”
A Letter From Neil Diamond
The idea of a Broadway musical about my life has always been a daunting one. It wasn’t until the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease prematurely ended my touring career that I started to seriously consider the prospect.
I say “prematurely” because my heart and soul would tour until the day I die if only my body would cooperate. My friend and longtime producer Bob Gaudio had some success with his little show, Jersey Boys (perhaps you’ve heard of it?), so I went to him for some guidance on where to begin.
Bob brought in Ken Davenport and together they built the incredible creative team that became, A Beautiful Noise. When Anthony McCarten came on board, we spent hours talking. It was his idea to frame the show in the context of therapy sessions. I loved the idea and never shied away from talking about my years of psychoanalysis. There used to be a stigma around talking about mental health and thankfully through the years, it’s become an important and accepted topic of conversation.
Sitting in the theatre and watching the show has itself been therapeutic: reliving some joyful and some of the painful parts of my life, wishing perhaps that if I could only make a few edits in the script, it would change some of the reality of what I was seeing. But in the end, coming to terms with my life and accepting it has somehow come full circle.
I feel fortunate and full of gratitude for all the people in my life. It is each of them who have impacted and shaped me in their own way to get me to the place where I am now...a better man. A better father. A better husband. A better songwriter.
I’d like to thank Marcia and Jaye, this story wouldn’t be possible without you. My children and grandchildren for your most important supporting roles in my life. My wife, Katie, who encouraged me to keep going through this process and finally, to Dr. Lu Katzman, my long-time therapist who inspired this story. May she rest in peace.”
I say “prematurely” because my heart and soul would tour until the day I die if only my body would cooperate. My friend and longtime producer Bob Gaudio had some success with his little show, Jersey Boys (perhaps you’ve heard of it?), so I went to him for some guidance on where to begin.
Bob brought in Ken Davenport and together they built the incredible creative team that became, A Beautiful Noise. When Anthony McCarten came on board, we spent hours talking. It was his idea to frame the show in the context of therapy sessions. I loved the idea and never shied away from talking about my years of psychoanalysis. There used to be a stigma around talking about mental health and thankfully through the years, it’s become an important and accepted topic of conversation.
Sitting in the theatre and watching the show has itself been therapeutic: reliving some joyful and some of the painful parts of my life, wishing perhaps that if I could only make a few edits in the script, it would change some of the reality of what I was seeing. But in the end, coming to terms with my life and accepting it has somehow come full circle.
I feel fortunate and full of gratitude for all the people in my life. It is each of them who have impacted and shaped me in their own way to get me to the place where I am now...a better man. A better father. A better husband. A better songwriter.
I’d like to thank Marcia and Jaye, this story wouldn’t be possible without you. My children and grandchildren for your most important supporting roles in my life. My wife, Katie, who encouraged me to keep going through this process and finally, to Dr. Lu Katzman, my long-time therapist who inspired this story. May she rest in peace.”
Waitlist now.
‘A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical’ plays The Princess Theatre (Melbourne) from August 2026.
