In news set to send Queenslanders into a Sweet Caroline singalong for the ages, the smash-hit Broadway musical A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL is headed to Brisbane, following its blockbuster Australian premiere and extraordinary audience response in Melbourne.
The spectacular production will open at the Lyric Theatre QPAC on 20 March 2027 bringing the music, the man and the remarkable story of Neil Diamond to Queensland audiences for the very first time.
Presented in Australia by producers Paul Dainty AO and TEG Dainty, Ken Davenport and Bob Gaudio, the acclaimed Broadway production arrives in Brisbane with some serious home-state pride attached: three Queenslanders will take to the stage, alongside a graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium of Music.
Tickets go on sale to the general public at 9am on Friday 4 September via qpac.com.au with the official waitlist now open at www.theneildiamondmusical.com.au
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 and one of the most successful and beloved performers of all time.
And what a story it is: with more than 140 million albums sold, a catalogue of anthems including America, Forever in Blue Jeans and the incomparable Sweet Caroline, induction into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a Grammy® Lifetime Achievement Award, and sold-out concerts around the world that saw him become a bigger live draw than Elvis, Neil Diamond’s extraordinary life was made for the stage. Now, Queensland gets its turn.
Like Jersey Boys and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical before it, A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL — from the Australian producers ofTINA – The Tina Turner Musical — is an inspiring, exhilarating, energy-filled musical memoir, that tells the untold true story of how America’s greatest hit maker became a star, set to the songs that defined his career.
Legendary singer-songwriter Neil Diamond’s bond with Australia has been nothing short of extraordinary, spanning decades of musical brilliance and heartfelt connections.
He has undertaken seven major concert tours across the country, beginning with the iconicThank You Australia tour in 1976 and followed by memorable returns in 1992, 1996, 1999, 2005, 2011 and 2015, his anthems resonating deeply with audiences and securing his place as a cherished figure in Australian music history for nearly half a century.
His iconic 1972 live album, Hot August Night, spent 29 weeks at number one in 1973 and 1974 and 65 weeks on the chart, making it the third-longest-charting album of the era in Australian music history.
Neil Diamond said:
“Some of my most thrilling nights have been while sharing my music with audiences around the world. A BEAUTIFUL NOISE has already had an incredible journey on Broadway and is currently touring across the U.S. I hope Australian audiences enjoy the show as much as I have.”
Paul Dainty AO, President and CEO of TEG DAINTY said:
“Bringing A BEAUTIFUL NOISE to Australia is extremely special for me. 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.
The response from Melbourne audiences has been extraordinary, with standing ovations AND SELL OUTS night after night and audiences embracing every moment of Neil’s incredible story and music. I know Brisbane audiences will be moved by the joy, emotion, and unforgettable songs that have made Neil a legend.”
The Australian cast of A BEAUTIFUL NOISE is led in Melbourne 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 is an exceptional company of Australian talent, featuring 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, Jordan Malone, Etuate Lutui(Shilo soloist), along with Cameron Davey, Paul Leandre Escorrido, Matt Hourigan, Alana Iannace, Jerome Javier (Swing) Joshua Kobeck, Anna Mallows (Swing), James Maxfield (Swing), Isabella Roberts, Sophie Tzioumis, Emma Wilby (Swing), and Erica Wild (Swing).
There’s plenty of Queensland pride on stage – and behind the scenes. Brisbane-born Hannah Fredericksen plays the dual roles of legendary songwriter Ellie Greenwich and Neil Diamond’s mother, Rose Diamond.
A former Moreton Bay College student, Fredericksen is well known to Australian theatre audiences from Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, in which she played Moaning Myrtle during its record-breaking Australian run. Remarkably, Brisbane will mark a very special first: her Queensland stage debut and the first time she has performed professionally in her home state.
Joining her is Etuate Lutui, a 2022 graduate of the Bachelor of Musical Theatre at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, who delivers a moving, showstopping solo moment.
Brisbane-born Jordan Malone, a fellow Con graduate, and Maryborough-born Katrina Bickerton round out the Queenslanders on stage, while Brisbane’s Liam McIlwain is Resident Director.
A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL is directed by Tony Award® winner Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening, Hedwig and the Angry Inch), choreographed by Olivier Award winner Steven Hoggett (Once, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), and written by four-time Academy Award nominee Anthony McCarten (Bohemian Rhapsody, The Two Popes).
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 Make Up Design).
The production has Music Supervision and Arrangements bySonny Paladino, Incidental Music and Dance Music Arrangements by Brian Usifer, Vocal Design byAnnMarie Milazzo, and Orchestrations by Bob Gaudio, Sonny Paladino, and Brian Usifer.
A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical runs from 20 March 2027 at The Lyric Theatre, QPAC as part of a national tour. See full dates below.
Waitlist for Brisbane tickets here.
Tickets for Brisbane go on sale from Friday 4 September at the link below.
Tickets: https://www.qpac.com.au/whats-on/2027/a-beautiful-noise
Website: https://theneildiamondmusical.com.au/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/theneildiamondmusicalau/
Photo credits: Jeff Busby
Australian Tour Dates:
Melbourne on now until 7 November, Princess Theatre
Sydney from 14 November, Sydney Lyric Theatre
Brisbane from 20 March, Lyric Theatre QPAC
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