the mommy avenger

Seeing a Broadway tour at the Eccles Theatre always feels like a treat, and this time it was The Neil Diamond Musical: A Beautiful Noise, the latest National Broadway tour to grace the stages of Salt Lake City. I went into this show with almost no background on Neil Diamond himself. I didn’t know his story. I didn’t know much beyond the fact that I grew up in a house where music from the 70s and 80s was always playing in the background. I figured I’d recognize a song or two and enjoy a fun night at the theater.

What I didn’t expect was to walk out with a whole new appreciation for who Neil Diamond was and just how immense his talent truly is.

The show tells Neil Diamond’s life story in a way that instantly pulled me in. Instead of a straightforward timeline, it begins with an older Neil meeting with a therapist. Together, they dig through his memories, his lyrics, and the experiences that shaped him. This framing made the story feel personal and reflective, almost like being invited into his inner world rather than watching a highlight reel of fame.

And if you know me at all, you know I have a thing about lyrics. I love analyzing them, pulling them apart, and figuring out what the writer was trying to say. I had never spent time doing that with Neil Diamond’s music before, but the show does a fantastic job of explaining the background and life stories that accompanied his songs. Suddenly, lyrics I’d heard casually for years had depth, context, and emotion attached to them. It was such a fascinating way to look at a life lived, and it might honestly be one of my favorite ways to dive into the story of someone famous.

One of my biggest questions going into the show was casting. Neil Diamond has such a distinct voice and presence that I couldn’t imagine how anyone could possibly step into that role. Then Nick Fradiani walked on stage. Nick reprised his role as Neil Diamond from Broadway for the national tour, and I was absolutely blown away. There were moments where it truly felt like I was watching Neil Diamond live. His voice was spot on, his mannerisms were convincing, and he completely held the audience’s attention. I was entranced from start to finish.

Mary Page Nance as Marcia Murphey also stood out. Her performance added heart and grounding to the story, and she brought so much authenticity to her role.

If you think you’re not familiar with Neil Diamond’s music, you might be very surprised. As the show went on, I realized just how many of his hits I already knew. And for those who did grow up loving his music, this show is such a gift. We heard favorites like Holly Holy, America, Cracklin’ Rosie, and of course Sweet Caroline.

The energy in the theater was pure joy. There was such a feel-good vibe, and the audience had opportunities to sing along during select songs. By the time Sweet Caroline came around, the entire theater felt united. There’s something about that song that instantly brings people together, and singing it as a crowd was easily one of the highlights of the night. Everyone was smiling. Everyone was in it together. We were all enjoying every single moment.

A Beautiful Noise is the kind of show that leaves you walking out of the theater feeling lighter, happier, and maybe a little nostalgic. It’s entertaining, heartfelt, and surprisingly insightful. If you’re looking for a reason to get dressed up, head downtown, and experience a night of incredible music and storytelling, this is it.

The Neil Diamond Musical: A Beautiful Noise is in Salt Lake City at the Eccles Theatre for a limited engagement now through January 25, 2026, and it is absolutely not something you want to miss. If you are a lifelong Neil Diamond fan or someone like me who went in knowing very little, this show is worth your time.

^{*we were invited to facilitate a feature, all opinions are our own*}