A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL - Reviews & News Thread — Page 8

Turns out Neil reached out for 2 hours and 15 minutes, and it touched me, somehow. I liked this better than I thought I would, given the reviews. No understudies, and Sonny Paladino conducted. 

Will Swenson gives a restrained performance but knows when and how to let loose. I suppose the same could be said of tonight's audience. Respectful, and singing and clapping along AT THE RIGHT MOMENTS. They even clapped to the final chorus of "Holly Holy" at the end of the show.

Those last 15 minutes make for one of the best extended sequences I've seen in a jukebox musical in some time. It gives Mark Jacoby an outsider's chance at a Best Leading Actor in a Musical slot. Stunning book work (credit Anthony McCarten here too), and when he finally opens up with "I Am... I Said" and sings with Swenson, it felt very heartwarming. 

Robyn Hurder was dynamite, and I'm so glad I finally got to see her in a show!

HOLY SH*T THAT ENSEMBLE. Jordan Dobson may have ditched 'em for Belleville, but they are as pitch-perfect as can be (which I also said on the cast album thread for this show). I also love the racial and body diversity on display. I'm sure Paladino and AnnMarie Milazzo had a field day creating the stunning vocal lines and orchestral arrangements throughout the performance. WOW.

McCarten's book is just fine, nothing to write home about until those final 15. Does anyone else think the Streisand reference in Act Two is intentional, as director Michael Mayer also helmed Funny Girl?

I liked Steven Hoggett's choreography, though it is a bit questionable from time to time. Creepy in particular during "Hands... touching hands...". The ensemble leaning in to hear Diamond sing at the Bitter End is a better gesture.

Stage door tonight wasn't a big mob. Only Hurder signed everyone's Playbills. No sight of Swenson or Jacoby. MiMi Scardulla was also nice enough to sign my Playbill.

Swenson delivered the BC/EFA appeal. Signed posters for $100, signed Playbills for $40.

I don't know how long this will last in NYC, and how many Tony noms it gets (if any) on the 2nd, but I think this should (and probably will) be a hit on tour. 

Okay. Okay. Okay.

 

 
 

Updated On: 4/18/23 at 10:30 PM

Does anyone know if the show is offering rush tickets? 

estewart2 said: "Does anyone know if the show is offering rush tickets?"

they have their online lottery at https://rush.telecharge.com/

They usually have rush tickets available the day of performances for $45 at the box office.

Kudos to the cast for their 3 Chita Rivera Awards. Best Choreography, Robyn Hurder & Jess LeProtto.

 

Chita Rivera Award winners

A Beautiful Noise just released a new block of tickets and are now on sale through June 2024. Their advance for the summer looks solid. Their new schedule also starts in September with their Thursday matinees that appear to be selling well, too. Don't think this show is going away anytime soon.

For all of 2023 so far, the weekly breakdown of grosses is a follows:

 

Over $1 million: 12 weeks

Over $900K: 3 weeks

Over $800K: 7 weeks

Over $700K: 1 week

 

It's been reported their weekly nut is about $800k. If they get back near $1 million for the summer, they'll be holding steady into the Fall.

I caught this for a second time this past weekend (took my mom), and loved it just as much the second time as I did the first time. It's such a high energy and fun show. Sure, the choreography is pretty damn weird, but other than that, I think the show is just a blast. Robyn Hurder performing "Forever In Blue Jeans" is a showstopper - she is the definition of a true triple threat. 

Anybody sit in Orchestra, Row A 1,3, and 5?  Just curious, how they were.  They are all sold as full view so there should not be any obstructions.

Thank you.

Thanks very much for the info on the seats. I feel much better!

Marway44 said: "Can someone please tell me if the center orchestra starts at BB or A?

Thanks in advance!"

 

BB

 

JSquared2 said: "ACL2006 said: "Kudos to the cast for their 3 Chita Rivera Awards. Best Choreography, Robyn Hurder & Jess LeProtto.


Chita Rivera Award winners"



The fact that Beautiful Noise won out over shows like SLIH, NY NY and DANCIN' is just baffling --- and makes one doubt the entire credibility of the Chita Rivera Awards.

I was thinking the same thing.  I don’t even remember any choreography, to e honest.  
"

 

This popped up on my YouTube recently, and Fradiani channels Neil Diamond's voice in a way that makes Swenson's sound really hokey:

Updated On: 6/27/23 at 06:23 PM

Will is out again for the matinee today. Don't be surprised if he cuts down to just 6 shows a week beginning in August.